What's stealing your peace today? The war? The news? The stock market?
With the world in such a state of chaos, it is a challenge to find peace and even more difficult to maintain a calm, relaxed state of mind and body. Every time we turn around there is some other crisis, tragedy, or natural disaster. Fear and anxiety threaten us at every turn: from the uncertainty and stress of the pandemic, to the threats and misdeeds of foreign powers, fires, and social unrest, to our own personal dramas and dilemmas. What a better world this would be if everyone made peace a higher priority. One of the goals of this blog is to help us all find and be more in harmony with ourselves and others. Peace is a gift that Jesus gave us, but people seek after it in different places.
Jesus said "Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)
Where do you look for peace?
Some people find it in a church, synagogue or sanctuary. Others find it at a yoga class or through meditation. Still others calm their minds and spirits by taking a walk in nature or playing a musical instrument. Human beings have the same basic needs. Every soul yearns to be at peace.
At my yoga class this morning, after the chatter of the world's events settled down and the instructor dimmed the lights. Candles were lit. Incense burned. The students were quiet and contemplative. Each absorbed in their own thoughts on their mats intent on clearing their minds and connecting with their intention and focus inward. It occurred to me how yoga class resembled church service in many ways.
In church, we are urged to do the same thing - to clear our minds, to be fully present, and to focus. As attendees folded and put away their mats and props, I was reminded of the solemnity of leaving church after taking communion. The feeling I have when I leave yoga class is similar to the feeling I have when I leave a good church service. Both yoga and church are about grounding, calming our minds and bodies, and finding connection: to ourselves, to others, and also to God. As more and more people flee organized religion and church attendance continues to decline, is it any wonder yoga has gained such popularity? The need for peace and connection still remains.
The problem is that the calm feeling we gain from outside ourselves is temporary. What happens when we turn on the television and hear about the latest bombing, mass shooting, Covid variant or invasion? One aggressive driver, an angry phone call, or new deadline can steal our calm. How then can we manage to hold onto our peace?
1. Realize true peace comes only from a relationship with God.
When we come to know who God is and how he works, we will have more of an understanding of what is really going on around us and why. We can rest knowing that even when the world seems like it is spinning out of control, God is still in control and we can relax and trust. It is a learned practice and is never too late to start if we want to let go of the fear and anxiety that is omnipresent in this chaotic world we live in.
2. Understand that peace must be pursued.
It doesn't happen on its own. We must be intentional about making peace a priority in our lives. If we want to see more peace in the world, it must start with each of us. If we fly off the handle when we're stressed, when someone cuts us off or ticks us off, or if we can't control our emotions, is it any wonder why the world is in such a state? Even worse, how do we expect our kids to act? Then we wonder why so many young people are shooting others with such disregard. We must set the example for future generations.
3. Give ourselves more time to recharge.
And I don't mean by running to the gym or going out for happy hour. Life is stressful and things take more out of us than most of us realize, both energetically and emotionally. This is why I have found it is so important to have mega doses of downtime, When we slow down our bodies, we slow down our minds and allow the events of the day to register. Give yourself time to process them. Go for a quiet walk. Close your eyes and meditate for ten to twenty minutes. Take a leisurely swim. Write in a journal. The key is to slow down. It might feel awkward at first, but it is crucial if we want to stay in peace by processing the events and emotions of the day. You'll soon reap the benefits of a calmer, more relaxed body and mind.
For Reflection
Who or what makes you lose your peace? This week I encourage you to implement some of these techniques. Make more time for solitude and self-reflection. Start a journal of your feelings and emotions. Get in touch with yourself and with God and let me know how it goes. I enjoy hearing from you.
If this post was helpful and you'd like to join our community and receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path, enter your email address in the box provided.
Stay tuned for more on how to find healing,wholeness, and harmony and until next time,
At my yoga class this morning, after the chatter of the world's events settled down and the instructor dimmed the lights. Candles were lit. Incense burned. The students were quiet and contemplative. Each absorbed in their own thoughts on their mats intent on clearing their minds and connecting with their intention and focus inward. It occurred to me how yoga class resembled church service in many ways.
In church, we are urged to do the same thing - to clear our minds, to be fully present, and to focus. As attendees folded and put away their mats and props, I was reminded of the solemnity of leaving church after taking communion. The feeling I have when I leave yoga class is similar to the feeling I have when I leave a good church service. Both yoga and church are about grounding, calming our minds and bodies, and finding connection: to ourselves, to others, and also to God. As more and more people flee organized religion and church attendance continues to decline, is it any wonder yoga has gained such popularity? The need for peace and connection still remains.
The problem is that the calm feeling we gain from outside ourselves is temporary. What happens when we turn on the television and hear about the latest bombing, mass shooting, Covid variant or invasion? One aggressive driver, an angry phone call, or new deadline can steal our calm. How then can we manage to hold onto our peace?
1. Realize true peace comes only from a relationship with God.
When we come to know who God is and how he works, we will have more of an understanding of what is really going on around us and why. We can rest knowing that even when the world seems like it is spinning out of control, God is still in control and we can relax and trust. It is a learned practice and is never too late to start if we want to let go of the fear and anxiety that is omnipresent in this chaotic world we live in.
2. Understand that peace must be pursued.
It doesn't happen on its own. We must be intentional about making peace a priority in our lives. If we want to see more peace in the world, it must start with each of us. If we fly off the handle when we're stressed, when someone cuts us off or ticks us off, or if we can't control our emotions, is it any wonder why the world is in such a state? Even worse, how do we expect our kids to act? Then we wonder why so many young people are shooting others with such disregard. We must set the example for future generations.
3. Give ourselves more time to recharge.
And I don't mean by running to the gym or going out for happy hour. Life is stressful and things take more out of us than most of us realize, both energetically and emotionally. This is why I have found it is so important to have mega doses of downtime, When we slow down our bodies, we slow down our minds and allow the events of the day to register. Give yourself time to process them. Go for a quiet walk. Close your eyes and meditate for ten to twenty minutes. Take a leisurely swim. Write in a journal. The key is to slow down. It might feel awkward at first, but it is crucial if we want to stay in peace by processing the events and emotions of the day. You'll soon reap the benefits of a calmer, more relaxed body and mind.
For Reflection
Who or what makes you lose your peace? This week I encourage you to implement some of these techniques. Make more time for solitude and self-reflection. Start a journal of your feelings and emotions. Get in touch with yourself and with God and let me know how it goes. I enjoy hearing from you.
If this post was helpful and you'd like to join our community and receive my weekly posts plus a copy of my free e-guide entitled "7 Steps to Finding Your Spiritual Path, enter your email address in the box provided.
Stay tuned for more on how to find healing,wholeness, and harmony and until next time,
Keep looking up!
Ariel Paz
Ariel Paz
