With the tumultuous times that we are living in, it is easy to get overwhelmed with the world around us. It seems that 2016 has been a challenging year for the world, for our nation and for individuals. Please let 2016 be over soon. 2016 sucks. Let’s push the reset button for 2016. These are all comments I’ve seen on social media in recent months. I will admit that I was one of those people trying to press the reset button (with no avail!) earlier this year as my personal life sustained challenge after challenge.
The events of recent weeks have been the catalyst for a variety of emotions. Last week I shared some small actions that I personally am taking to educate myself about the racial issues that are plaguing our nation and made some suggestions for you to consider, too. I appreciated hearing from many of you and learning what you are doing to educate yourself on this very important topic as well.
Peace, or the state of tranquility and quiet, has been elusive in recent weeks for me and many friends and colleagues that I know. But with strong intentions and inspired actions, peace really can be ours. I can’t guarantee it will last for days or weeks but even if you can find a few minutes or a few hours in the midst of the chaos of your daily life, it will help to fill you up to face the world again!
So where can you go to find peace in the midst of chaos?
Your backyard. My friend and client Maureen Cooper, an inspirational personal trainer, does a 5 minute gratitude walk in her backyard every morning and takes a photo of something beautiful and she posts it on Facebook. I look forward to her posts every day to see what gems she’s found! If your backyard isn’t the spot, find a place in nature close to your house that will fit the bill!
Your journal. One strategy employed by famous author and artist, Julia Cameron, is the concept of morning pages. Before you start your day, she recommends writing three whole pages to empty your head. That way, you step into your day with a “clean slate” and a sense of peace.
Meditation. My friend Nina Patel is a busy mother of three but she finds time to meditate every day and she’s one of the most zen people I’ve met! I try to meditate daily although I admit I’m not consistent. But it’s amazing what 10-20 minutes of sitting in silence can do to quiet the mind and recalibrate the body.
A concert. I took my mom to a short concert by a former Broadway singer last weekend and she loved it. We were in a gorgeous church with beautiful stained glass and as the music filled the air, it was a very peaceful oasis from the rest of the world. Music is always a balm for the soul.
Other ideas? Museums? A place of worship? The ocean or mountains? Where else might you go? I’d love to hear about your favorite peaceful place – drop me a note!
I’ve gathered some favorite quotes about peace for you. Feel free to use them as a journal prompt, as a social media share or perhaps start a discussion with your family over dinner one night about how you want to try to contribute to more peace in the world.
- Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me. Sy Miller and Jill Jackson
- Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love. Francis of Assisi
- If you want to end the war, then instead of sending guns, send books. Instead of sending tanks, send pens. Instead of sending soldiers, send teachers. Malala Yousafzai
- We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves. Dalai Lama
- Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein
- You cannot find peace by avoiding life. Virginia Woolf
- Peace is a daily, a weekly, a monthly process, gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, quietly building new structures. John F. Kennedy
- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
- True peace is not merely the absence of tension… it is the presence of justice. Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one. John Lennon
Revitalizing Action: How will you be seeking peace within yourself today? How will you contribute to a more peaceful world today? Go seek peace, do peace, be peace… and let me know how it goes!
Peace be with you,
Elizabeth