As I look over at my special bookcase this morning, filled with some of my most treasured books, my eyes glance over the words “Find Peace.” As I reflect on those words, I’m reminded of how finding peace requires me to take an active role. Peace doesn’t just land on my lap, even though that might be what I would desire.
Our world is filled with many situations that do anything but provide peaceful feelings. We are constantly bombarded with situations, conversations, news stories, and social media that stir us up.
Thoughts begin swirling in our head and can often fill us with anxiety, fear, and discomfort. None of these feel very peaceful. We may realize that the only way we will find our own peace is to create it.
It’s important that in our chaotic world we step away from everything bombarding us to get centered and find peace again. It’s impossible for any of us to feel grounded and centered when we are constantly in the flow of a world that doesn’t represent calm.
Giving ourselves time to step away from those things that prevent peaceful thoughts allows us to rest, rejuvenate, and find that place inside that knows how to bring peace again into our mind. Some of us enjoy time outdoors, reading a book, or meditating. Whatever helps bring us back into balance is where we often find our peace.
I’m one of those people that finds it helpful to step out into nature when I’m feeling overwhelmed and off balance. Last week I was working on many important projects plus dealing with some situations that weighed on my heart. I found my energy being pulled between needing to get things accomplished and being there for those I love.
I didn’t really have time to pause for a break, but I knew that if I continued on the path I was traveling I would soon burn out and get sick. I finally put everything aside, hopped in the car and drove to a trail in the woods where I could find my own peace again.
It was shortly after stepping out of the car and walking in the crisp morning air that I felt myself taking deep breaths. All of my muscles seemed to relax in places that had previously been tense. I could sense myself letting go of all the tension that had been keeping me from peace.
And while part of me felt pulled to rush home, I continued walking for about an hour just to soak in the calming energy of the woods. I let my senses absorb the smells of the pine trees, the sounds of the birds, and the beautiful views of the snowy mountains in winter.
When I got back in my car to drive home I felt a renewed sense of self—feeling peace again in my heart and mind. It was the perfect reminder to me of how important it is to find our own peace in the sometimes-chaotic world.
