Personal peace. What is it? It is a feeling of contentment and well-being that comes from within. It’s not the absence of conflict or stress, but rather the ability to cope with these challenges healthily. It’s what keeps you grounded and allows you to focus on what’s important.
An important principle for getting started is to accept that you cannot change everything that happens to you and focus on what you can control, which are your thoughts and actions. Another important principle is to practice self-compassion. This means being kind and understanding to yourself, even when you make mistakes.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to finding personal peace, but there are a few general practices that can help you on your way:
Practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment without judgment.
Connect with nature. Spending time in nature can have a calming effect on the mind and body. Keep it simple! Go for a walk, sit by the water, or take a few deep breaths of fresh air.
Express yourself creatively. Try writing, painting, playing music, or dancing. It can be a great way to release stress and shift your focus to something positive.
Help others. Helping others without the expectation of something in return can be a rewarding experience that can boost your sense of well-being.
How I found my peace: Honesty, Forgiveness, Boundaries and Patience
As I mentioned before, there is not one right way to find personal peace. My journey began with honesty. Mainly honesty with myself. Honest about who I believed I was, who I actually was, and who I wanted to be. Each one of those factors was equally important in getting me to the next step which was forgiveness. I had to work up the courage to forgive myself, out loud, for all the mistakes I made, the people I hurt, for hurting myself, and for allowing myself to be hurt. Forgiveness is a powerful tool that can help you to let go of negative emotions and find your inner peace.
One of my biggest breakthroughs in this journey was when I realized how often I allowed myself to be hurt. You know the expression, “Hurt people, hurt people”? I realized a lot of the hurt I inflicted on other people was because I was hurting. The deeper I dug for forgiveness, I began to see the bigger picture and take accountability for the part I played in disturbing my peace. It wasn’t just external factors contributing to the disturbance, it was the lack of boundaries I set for myself and others. Once I decided on what my boundaries were, I began to work up the courage to make them clear to everyone else. That was difficult for me because I’d never been comfortable saying, “no” or just stating my preferences without feeling guilty. It took time for me to get there but it was necessary in helping to maintain and protect my peace.
Something to keep in mind is to be patient with yourself. If what you’re doing isn’t working, take a metaphorical step back, reassess, and try a different strategy. Understand there will be ups and downs followed by more ups and downs and that’s okay. Learn what works for you to develop tools that will help you navigate the challenges of life with greater ease.
Rewards of Finding Your Peace
Finding personal peace is an ongoing journey, but one that’s worth taking. If you’ve managed to achieve this state, awesome! Keep doing what you’re doing. If you haven’t, keep at it. The rewards of finding your peace are many and with patience and perseverance, you can find the peace that you are looking for.
Take care of yourself. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. Prioritizing your physical health can have a positive impact on your mental health. You deserve it.
Additional Resources
If you are struggling to find peace on your own, there are several resources available to help you. Consider talking to a therapist, counselor, or other mental health professional. There are also many self-help books and websites that offer guidance on finding inner peace.
#Wellness #SelfDiscipline #SelfImprovement #HealthyBoundaries #MindfulLiving #PersonalPeace
L. Bradley 