Finding Peace
If there is no inner peace, people can’t give it to you. The husband can’t give it to you. Children can’t give it to you. You have to give it to you. Linda Evans
It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it. C.S. Lewis
Worrying about all of the what ifs of life disrupts the peace of the present moment. C.S. Lewis encourages us to find new ways to carry the load of life, but to do so we have to change the way we approach life. We have the opportunity to change the way we live our life and experience greater peace, but this has to be a choice we make. We can choose:
- The present moment instead of worry
- Self-acceptance in lieu of trying to be perfect
- Forgiveness versus grudges
- Slowing down in place of the packed schedule
- Hope as an alternative to fear
- Self-love instead of being so hard on ourselves
- Asking for help from God and/or others or carrying the load of life alone
Take a moment to ask yourself the following questions?
- Where do I need to experience more peace in my life?
- Do I need to find peace with a person?
- Am I seeking to find peace about a decision I need to make?
- Do I need to find peace with a current situation in my life?
Shanti is a Sanskrit word that simply means peace. In the practice of yoga and in other traditions, shanti is traditionally said three times, in order to ask for peace in our bodies, speech, and mind. I invite you to practice the following simple meditation to ask for peace out loud or silently by saying:
May I have peace, peace, peace today
May I have peace in my body, mind, and speech today
Is there someone is your life who is struggling right now? I invite you to continue the meditation by asking for peace out loud or silently for your loved one by saying:
May ______ (loved one’s name) have peace, peace, peace today
May ______ (loved one’s name) have peace in body, mind, and speech today
Take a moment to ask for peace in whatever area of your life you need it and then also send love and peace or pray for peace for the person in your life you named earlier who is facing a difficulty.
Shalom to you,
Christy
