Journey to Serenity

This Is Truly Serenity

"If you have dreamed of living where the rainforest meets the ocean, where whales play offshore and you can hear the fin slaps of humpbacks at night... If you don’t think that shopping or ‘nightlife’ make a holiday but instead appreciate a place where you forget where you left your shoes when you arrived and live by the rhythm of the sun and ocean... If you want to slow down, disconnect, stop, listen, and feel like you’ve washed up on a Pacific Island where time slows down, then Serenity Beach might be for you.

—Greg Sydney, Australia

I walked along the magnificent beach and often my footprints were the only ones. At night I fell asleep to the sound of waves and awoke to a view of the crystal clear turquoise sea. During the day, coloured butterflies were everywhere, and I would lie in the hammock and just watch them. If I was still enough they sometimes would settle on me. I’ve not felt this close and connected to nature and the sea in a long time.

—Rathln Melbourne, AU

Being in a place where time stands still is the best tonic you can give a weary city-dwelling soul. Yoga, meditation, walking along deserted picture postcard beaches. If this is not on your bucket list, you clearly don’t have one!

—Colesey

If you are willing to disconnect from the world for a bit and appreciate/enjoy connecting with every bit of nature this resort provides, then this is as close to heaven as you will get!

—Darwin

I loved what Patti and her team have created on this island and how you can feel they have done it with love, hard work and a genuine desire to build something that is a treasure to all who get to visit it. Sunsets to die for, long golden beaches all to yourself, great company and a true break away from everyday life.

—Leigh Jeffrey

Being remote is a huge part of the charm of Serenity Beaches Resort. The property encompasses the entire end of the island, with trails connecting the fales with the common areas. I just can’t imagine a more perfect location. Compare your idea of what is the most beautiful beach in the world, and you will not be disappointed by the beaches here.

—PB, North Carolina

I was looking for just some peace in beautiful nature between two fast-paced life phases. Your island felt like a paradise bubble safe from the outside world, where I could heal, learn to breathe again and thanks to your caring retreat, open mind and heart to more creativity and trust in myself and the world.

—Nadja

I honestly don’t think I will find a more deserted, beautiful and unspoilt place ever again and feel so grateful we have had the chance to experience this.

—Tessa Woodcock, Leicestershire, United Kingdom

Journey

to

Serenity

Strength - Courage - Faith

Patti Ernst

Copyright © 2020 Patti Ernst

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any mechanical, photographic, or electronic process, or in the form of phonographic recording: nor may it be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, or otherwise be copied for public or private use, without prior written permission of the author.

The author of this book does not dispense medical or other professional advice to prescribe the use of any technique as a form of diagnosis or treatment for any physical emotional or mental condition. The intent the author is only to offer information of an anecdotal and general nature. In the event you or others used any of the information or content of this book, the author and the publisher, assume no responsibility for the direct or indirect consequences. The reader should consult his or her medical, health, or other professional before adopting any suggestions in this book.

The quote on p 97 is from The Law of Divine Compensation by Marianne Williamson. Copyright (c) 2012 by Marianne Williamson. Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-64184-338-6

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-64184-339-3

Printed in the United States of America.

Website: www.serenitybeaches.com

Table of Contents

Part One: Strength: Time to Awaken

Kalalau

Please Don’t Let Me Be Normal

The Lake House

Simple Gifts

Giants

Challenges

Hello From Around The World

Rivers

The Vision

The Hero’s Journey

Part Two: Courage: The Journey

The Mountain House

Moving On

The Beach House

Running on Lava

We Are The Ones…

Adult Development Theory

Leaving Hawaii

Impossible

Songs of the Sea

Talking Bowsprit

Bali

Part Three: Faith: Finding Serenity

On to Tonga

It Must Be Built With Love

Serenity

Gentle Strength

Beliefs

The Agony and the Ecstasy

Category Five

The Priest and the Volcano

Hard times

Awakening

Care of Our Earth Suit

The Chalice and the Blade

Worth It

The Book

State of Fear

Lead With Your Heart

Epilogue

Author Bio

Gratitude

It has been said that we stand on the shoulders of giants. My thanks to the many giants, named and unnamed, who have shared inspired thoughts. Some are people whose books I have read, some are dear friends and family, some are guests that have visited Serenity, some are people I have only met briefly. I have gathered their encouragement over so many years that I have forgotten, in many cases, who said what, but their influence has been profound. Everyone has played a part in this story. I am truly grateful to you all.

Prologue

Life hands us opportunities to reinvent ourselves!

For me, it came after six years of feeling something was missing and not having the courage to move forward. I took those years to develop strength and faith. I finally made the choice to change my life. I started over with no immediate financial support but a strong belief that I could find a way and do it.

Today, many people are suddenly being handed the opportunity to start over with very little support or preparation. In some cases, it is an opportunity to finally do what they have always wanted to do. I say opportunity because over the years, I have come to constantly remind myself, Another problem, another opportunity to grow. My wish is that you may have the courage to see the challenges in your life as opportunities to grow.

On the eve of the New Year I sit beside an oil lamp looking at the ocean. The sun has just set and the new moon hangs below Venus, the brilliant evening star. I am on an uninhabited island in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean. This is where I live now. This is the place and the experience I wish to share with others as I reflect on the long path that has brought me to a place called Serenity – as well as to a state of serenity.

Life is different here. There are no roads, villages, or cars. I must be conscious of every little thing: tides, winds, and how to obtain water, food, and electricity. Yet in most ways life is simple.

The following is a remembrance of the path of ideas that has helped me go beyond my comfort zone into a state of learning, growth, and flow. Barbara Marx Hubbard said, We are a developing species. We are moving from ego to essence; from personality to the core of who we really are. We are becoming more conscious, aware, and responsible. We will be living longer so we can complete the tasks we came here to accomplish. Many humans have moved from having to focus solely on survival needs to having the freedom to focus on awareness, self-expression, and creation.

The people on this planet two hundred years ago would have found it hard to imagine life today with computers, smartphones, luxury cars, supermarkets, expressways, and jet planes. Amazing changes, but the price we pay is stress and unconscious living. This book is about awareness and self-care in the 21st century. It is about living the second half of life with curiosity, caring, compassion, enthusiasm, significance, and trust.

Many wonderful books share guidance in great detail, and many more are published each week. Because people have so little time, I offer this as a summary of that which has helped me become more conscious and awake: aware of how to live life in a fearless, enthusiastic, healthy, and sustainable way. Please use these ideas as a springboard to find those ideas that inspire and lead you.

Introduction

PART ONE – STRENGTH: TIME TO AWAKEN

Strength is about releasing fear and limiting beliefs that hold us back and keep us from living in our true power. When I went to be trained with the Olympic coaches in Yellowstone Park I learned the components of physical fitness: strength, endurance, and flexibility. I have since added balance. I realized that overall fitness of body, mind, and soul is based on the same components. When we train in one area with consciousness we developed fitness in all areas. Thus, developing physical strength can bring us mental, emotional, and spiritual strength. The same is true with endurance, flexibility, and balance. The first section is about developing these qualities in all areas so we have the ability to look at life differently, and step out of ordinary existence into a more conscious and purposeful life.

Part Two – Courage: The Journey

As we develop strength we gain the power to embrace courage. Courage is feeling fear yet being able to get beyond it and move forward. Courage gives us the ability to step out onto our true path. To know that we, with the help of guidance, can move forward into the life we came here to live – the life uncommon – the life that will make a difference. As we begin to develop courage and the ability to hear the still small voice within we are able to move forward with compassion as well as love for ourselves and others. We will make mistakes and will learn from them. We must keep our self-talk positive and forgive ourselves and others when needed. This is part of the process. Being gentle with ourselves, and having the courage to be who we truly are, is the goal.

Part Three – Faith: Finding Serenity

After we have developed the courage to become who we truly are, we move toward embracing serenity. Knowing we are not our physical body, we realize we are the soul that uses physical body as the vehicle to make this human journey possible. Once we reach serenity we can be quiet enough to hear that inner voice and life becomes easier. We begin to live in faith and trust. It is in this place that we come to live the simple, flowing, peaceful life. Yes, there will be upsets and challenges. However, we will face them calmly and with the help of our faith move forward with gentleness, courage, and strength. We won’t allow emotional hijackings to occur.

Daily meditation helps us get to this place of serenity and stay there. Choosing to take time to be at peace and in the moment, we remember to listen. When we know who we are and can lead with our heart, we will finally be in a place of trust, faith, and true serenity. It is from there we can change ourselves and make a difference in