As we enter the last month of the year, I find my brain is filled with a jumble of tasks I need to accomplish, problems that need addressing, and endless worries. There is no doubt that my life is busy — I’m a mother, grandmother, and spouse, I work full-time and have multiple other side hustles. I know my life mirrors many of yours. Each of us has our own roles, responsibilities, and worries, but we all get to the point of feeling pulled in a hundred directions and overwhelmed by our inability to solve every problem. What we all need is peace.

Peace can be elusive, especially for those who live or work in an area that is unsafe or toxic, and for those with mental illness. It’s no secret that our mind and emotions are tied together, a mind and body connection. When the mind is in hyperdrive, so is our body. It can feel like we are carrying our worries in our bones. Though we can’t solve every conflict, we can work steadily to establish peace within ourselves.  Finding peace allows us to recognize our ‘why’ and our purpose. It allows us set aside the weariness of the present, make better decisions, and live life more fully. So how do we find our inner stillness, our inner peace?

Let’s find our peace…

The first step to finding peace is to distinguish between what you can change and what you can’t. So often we waste valuable time and energy trying to change things over which we have no control. We can’t change people, and we may not be able to change situations; the only thing we can change is how we react to them. This may mean recognizing the situation isn’t going to change so you need to change your circumstance. Focus on what you can change and move on from what you can’t.

The second step to finding peace is to forgive. That means forgiving others and forgiving yourself. Many of us spend a great deal of time and energy ruminating about people or situations that we felt have wronged us in some way. We’ve all made decisions in our lives that we regret or think we should have handled differently. We’ve all failed to live up to our own expectations. We can’t change the past, but we can work to do better in the present. It’s time to recognize the feelings, forgive yourself and others, and move on.  When you set aside the shortcomings of the past and focus on the people currently before you, you’ll start to find peace within yourself.

The third step to finding peace is to invest in your own self. If we’re always busy helping and doing things for others, we become exhausted and have nothing left to invest in ourselves. It’s time for each of us to take time just for ourselves and do things we enjoy. Some find quietness and peace in walking through the woods or garden, others through meditation, exercise, or prayer. Find what works for you, remembering that the key concept is to clear your mind of distracting thoughts and center yourself in the world around you. Give your attention to something you might otherwise pass by without a thought.

Joy and peace are linked…

Last year I wrote about finding your joy and this year I am adding peace. The truth is joy and peace are linked together. Joy is finding happiness; peace is finding harmony and serenity. When we are happy, our minds are at peace, our hearts are open, and we can be the best versions of ourselves.
 

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