Peace

“Peace is not something you wish for; It’s something you make, something you do, something you are, and something you give away.”  — John Lennon

Our modern lives are so busy.  Internal and external pressures are so prevalent in our lives.

For some of us the pursuit of internal peace has become a major personal aspiration. Though it is often overshadowed by external pressures, the significance of finding inner tranquility can’t be overstated.

Living a life with internal peace benefits our mental and emotional well-being which also carries over into motivation in the physical too.  

Having a calm mind has a significant impact on our relationships, decisions, and overall perspective on life.

Inner peace is not merely the absence of stress or turmoil. It’s a state of personal equilibrium that stems from aligning our thoughts, emotions, and actions.

Achieving this peaceful state requires conscious effort and a commitment to our own self-discovery. This often forces us to forsake judgment of others in favor of an internal evaluation in all circumstances.

This is one of the fundamental steps towards internal peace: self-awareness.  

Taking the time and effort to understand our own thoughts, desires, fears, and triggers allows us to identify sources of internal conflict.

It is not enough to just understand ourselves, which could allow us to simply use the this knowledge as crutches or excuses for bad behavior. Instead we should use this awareness to intentionally improve ourselves with kindness and not judging ourselves for failures. If we do fail, we should use these failures as motivation to be better.  

This self-awareness fosters self-acceptance and self-compassion that is needed to lay the foundations for our inner peace.

Practicing mindfulness and daily reflection can help with self awareness.

By staying present in the moment and observing our thoughts without judgment, we can break free from the cycle of anxiety about the future or regrets about the past. This practice trains our minds to let go of our unnecessary worries, and make space for a peaceful mind.

Forgiveness, both of others and ourselves, is a major component for internal peace.

Holding onto grudges against others or self-blame keeps us trapped in negative thinking and emotions. Embracing forgiveness frees us from the burdens of resentment and/or guilt, opening us up to emotional freedom.

Ultimately, achieving internal peace is an ongoing journey not a destination. It’s about making conscious choices that align with our values and striving towards well-being.

This journey might involve practices like meditation, journaling, or engaging in hobbies that bring us joy.

Each person’s path to internal peace is different and special. It’s important to know we will both succeed and fail and to approach it with patience and self-kindness.

Photo by Amy Treasure on Unsplash