Up at dawn, I sip my coffee in solitude and say a prayer of gratitude. It is peaceful. The birds are making the small chirping sounds that accompany a new day. My family thinks I’m a little crazy for getting up with the sun each day. But to me, it is serene. A time when I can fully be in the moment without distraction.

Serenity (the state of being calm and untroubled) seems to be in short supply. The idea of being at peace seems almost countercultural. Media feeds on turmoil. Advertisement preys on insecurities. People thrive on challenge and conflict. But when I walk in nature, everything melts away. Serenity makes its home in a garden. The woods are a cathedral of calm.

I’m finding that to grasp these little cherished moments of peace, I have to slow down. I have to make time to be still and unplugged. Sometimes serenity comes by simply noticing the beauty of my surroundings. The way a tree outlines the sky can be breathtaking. The black and white photographs from bygone adventure elicit happy memories. Everyday objects are really quite extraordinary when you take the time to look.

So occasionally, I lay in my hammock and I watch the contrails of planes overhead. I make pictures out of clouds. I feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the breeze in my hair. In these moments, I am happy to be alive and the world seems full of promise. I wonder why I sometimes let the noise of the world steal my joy. We live in an age of ease and comfort unprecedented in human history and yet social media screams our discontent. Daily reminders that we should upset or indignant bombard us. It is exhausting. At the end of a long day of dealing with people and problems, the hammock is my peaceful place.

Other days, I find a location and I intentionally sip my coffee. On the best days, I have brewed the coffee over an open fire and can smell the smoke and crisp aroma of the beans. Most days, I set up the drip coffee maker in the faint light of dawn, trying not to spill the water across the counter. Occasionally, I visit a cafe and enjoy the foamy goodness of a latte or a London Fog. Many evenings I brew the perfect cup of tea with a splash of honey. Serenity in a cup. A ritual of calming.

The Bible has a lot to say about serenity. 365 times, we are told not to be afraid. We are asked to cast our anxiety away and instead to trust in the goodness of God. For me, serenity is only achieved by slowing down and deliberately noticing the goodness, beauty, and blessings that surround me.

There is time enough for troubles in the hectic pace of life. Seeking the serene in every day moments is a conscious choice. It takes only a few brief moments to take a deep breathe, to appreciate the beauty of a flower, to savor the smile of a friend, to smell the aroma of a great meal, and to be thankful for the experience. I have learned that I can’t wait for peace, I must seek it. Even when all seems chaos, serenity awaits.