We often talk about resting in peace once we pass on from this world or earthly life. What about LIP? Live in peace, right here and right now. You can do it if you so choose – prioritize, possess, and spread peaceful power.
When we have peace in our hearts and minds, we draw peace into our lives.
-Iyanla Vanzant
I like this thought of having peace in both your heart and mind. It is not just one or the other; it is a peaceful and harmonious balance between the two. When synced well, the body experiences peace, too. A three-for-one (well, three-for-two, I guess?) deal right there that is in your own best interest. Something to hold onto? Toy around with it.
Are you wondering where to begin? When I slow down enough and fully appreciate life, it often starts with one thing, my breath – the constant flow of life that keeps me here. When I express some simple appreciation or gratitude for this small wonder, I cannot help but smile. After those two actions alone, I begin to feel warmth radiate outward.
Peace begins with a smile.
-Mother Teresa
If we all smile more1, could we share more peace? We do not need to start wandering around with wide, Cheshire grins. There is a technique in DBT known as a half smile. That alone would be enough to kickstart a difference. Try it out at home some. I only sugjest it peacefully, not in some awkward or upsetting way. Enjoy your own smile. :)
If you see someone without a smile, give ’em yours!
-Dolly Parton
I was listening to a book summary earlier this week which mentioned at least a couple times that the key ingredient to happy and healthy families is that peace reigns in the home. How is your home today? Is peace reigning there, or is grief or strife raining? I sugjest thinking of at least one thing that you can fix or improve right now or within the next twenty-four hours. Hold yourself accountable. Over the next day, put in a piece of work towards peace, whether that be with your own self or with someone your lane runs close to. How can you best reduce some of the friction there? Pacify your fractiousness.
If you are distressed by anything, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment. [Think and choose peace.]
-Marcus Aurelius
Are you resisting or supporting the flow? Are you dragging your feet, or are you embracing change fluidly? There is a serene peace in accepting the unknown, in acknowledging that we do not control all of this. There are so many factors and influences at play in the world all around us. Within us, though, we hold the home court advantage; our lane is a safe and sacred space. We should each preserve and safeguard our own well-being; we should not blame others if our life and our lane are out of control or unwieldy. Is someone else choosing your reactions for you? Are you playing with your emotions, or are they playing with you? Control or regulation of oneself is a key step towards inner peace. Clearly seeing the current state of your lane as it is instead of how you would like it to be. Plan goals, but, also, accept the present parameters at play. Then, you can feel the calm, quiet peace set in. Be playful with it all; embrace and enjoy peace.
Ego says, ‘Once everything falls into place, I’ll feel inner peace.’
Spirit says, ‘Find your inner peace and then everything will fall into place.
-Marianne Williamson
I wish there were easier ways for me to share my experiences and feelings with y’all. I know it is difficult to simply take someone at their word. Inner peace is so powerful; it creates a positive feedback loop with love. The more you love, the more peace you can have; the more you feel at peace, the more loving you can be. Pick-me-ups that build atop one another repeatedly. It is pleasant, and it is profound. Explore it more playfully.
Choose love and peace will follow.
Choose peace and love will follow.
-Mary Helen Doyle
I hope you work on extending more love to yourself in order to experience inner peace. Reflecting on my past allows me to figure out what I want to do better in the future, and it presents me with opportunities to identify helpful ideas to maintain or improve as well as hurtful ideas to adjust or improve. By being objective in my assessments, I do not have to beat myself up for prior mistakes. Instead, I work on being truly grateful for all of my life. “Bad” or challenging moments remind me of what to work on in order to do better in the future. “Good” or easy memories help me relax and feel at ease, simply being, ya see?
Gratitude makes sense of our past;
Gratitude brings peace for today;
Gratitude creates a vision for tomorrow.
-Melody Beattie [adapted]
I really enjoyed this peaceful cycle, and I am quite grateful to be able to write these posts. I appreciate and enjoy focusing on building and channeling more peace in my life, both for myself and for others. Therefore, in that way, from my lane, I wish all y’all nothing but the absolute best of luck in powering up your best inner peace possible in your lane, too. <3
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell. Peace, y’all :)
- I recognize that this is a frustrating and overused offering or suggestion towards women in particular, but I sugjest smiling for everyone; each and every one of us. Besides, do we really want to let quokkas show us up as happiest species here? ↩︎