Skip to main content

The Tranquility of Order

“Peace is the tranquility of order,” Saint Augustine wrote—Pax omnium rerum tranquillitas ordinis.

For a long time, I understood this definition almost entirely in spatial terms. I am a very organized person, and walking into a room that is out of order makes my stomach tighten. It bothers me enough that I will often volunteer to tidy up—and genuinely enjoy doing it. I see physical spaces as reflections of our inner lives, so when I enter a room, I feel I can sense the state of the person who inhabits it.

I notice where they rush, which corners they use most, and whether there is harmony—or imbalance—in heights, proportions, and distribution. Often, beneath the chaos, I sense that they are not at ease with it either. They simply don’t know where to begin. Emotionally, it can be overwhelming. We grow attached to so many things that sorting through them—especially letting go—feels distressing.

I like things to be in order because order brings me ease. When I enter a calm, well-arranged space, I can breathe. Nothing competes for my attention. There are no visual conflicts pulling me away from a peaceful state of mind. My soul feels at rest.

Over time, though, I began to realize that Augustine’s definition of peace reaches far deeper than physical spaces. It speaks to order in life itself. Perhaps that is what he was truly pointing toward.

Whenever we are not where we should be—or not doing what we are meant or called to do—our soul becomes unsettled. We feel out of alignment with who we are meant to be. That restlessness, that quiet anxiety we experience when something in our lives doesn’t fit, may be a signal rather than a flaw. A friend once suggested that this anxiety might be our soul’s way of making us aware of what it deeply longs for.

Whether disorder shows up externally, in a cluttered room, or internally, in the dissatisfaction of a life lived out of alignment, the absence of tranquility is often the clearest sign that something needs to change.

I usually begin with what I can see. A messy kitchen sink. While washing the dishes, I start clearing and organizing my inner life as well—sorting, reflecting, letting go. I hope to find that order which aligns with my true self, the kind that brings peace and restfulness.

So I ask myself—and now I ask you:

Are you in order?

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Love or the Lack of it

Over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring truth: every time my heart feels restless, it’s because of love—or the absence of it. Love is the ultimate reason behind almost everything we experience. Think about it: when someone walks into a room and doesn’t say hello, it’s not just a matter of bad manners. It makes you feel invisible. That sense of invisibility steals your peace because, deep down, you don’t feel loved by that person. And I mean not loved, which is different from unloved. When we feel a sense of injustice, it often stems from a lack of love toward someone. It could be as small as someone eating the last piece of cake without asking if anyone else wanted some, or as inconsiderate as not replacing the toilet paper roll. I remember once rushing to make it to a meeting on time, only to find my friends arriving 30 minutes—sometimes even an hour—late. The examples are endless, but here’s what I’ve realized: whenever our hearts feel battered, if we pause and dig deep enough, we’l...
Post a Comment
Read more

Being Intentional: The Power of Planning Ahead

Many years ago, right after moving here, I went to a dentist. Before leaving, they asked me to schedule my next routine appointment. Since I had never done that before, it felt a bit exaggerated to book something six months in advance. But then I remembered the saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” So, I did. After years of scheduling routine appointments for doctors and dentists ahead of time, I’ve realized the system is brilliant. We all need those checkups, and the sooner we schedule them, the better. It’s not just about securing a convenient time—it’s about making sure we don’t forget altogether. A couple of months ago, after dinner with friends, I suggested we set up our next meal right away—two months later. With our busy schedules, I wanted to maximize the chances that everyone could make it. To my surprise, everyone loved the idea, and it worked perfectly. That experience made me think: how many other things could we plan intentionally—things that don’t have an ulterior ...
Post a Comment
Read more

From Sedentary Faith to Audacious Trust

Last week, I read something that deeply resonated with me: the idea that  sedentism —a concept we usually associate with our physical lifestyle—has also quietly settled into our spiritual lives. It’s not just about how we seek food, shelter, or comfort anymore. It’s about how we approach faith. The reflection suggested that, since the Industrial Revolution, many of us have lived with a sense of safety and stability. That comfort has seeped into our spirituality. As long as we avoid major sins—like harming others—we assume we’re on the right path, bound for Heaven. But this kind of passive faith, shaped by comfort, can become weak. It doesn’t require boldness. It doesn’t demand trust in God when things fall apart. I had never thought about faith in this way. I’ve always seen myself as someone fairly courageous. But when I paused to reflect, I realized that four years ago, three of the biggest “certainties” in my life were stripped away. Beyond the pain and sadness, that moment marke...
3 comments
Read more