If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile and blossom like a flower, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.
Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Buddhist monk, activist, artist, writer
Honoring independence day is an unexpectedly different challenge this year; not so peaceful on the outside. I am acutely aware of the world’s unrest, negativity, suffering of all kinds, all over the world. As a result, I have significantly upped the ante with my mindful stress relief tools especially humor and equanimity, movement and stillness.
In my classes we talk about finding places for refuge when any strong emotions feel challenging. There are ways to take care of our minds and bodies aside from sitting in meditation.
Learning of any kind is often inspiring. Maybe a course you’ve been putting off. Now is the time. I have a shelf of works-in-progress always beckoning. Sometimes intentionally doing nothing is exactly right.
I bet you have a works-in-progress list too. Places, books, people, and art works you want to know. Artists are often the ones who discern the present in revelatory ways and who bring us solace, joy, and beauty. Mother Nature is a profound refuge.
Allow yourself an intentional quiet few minutes of stillness to use our STOP tool: Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed. Choose to create a refuge, mold your calm, ride the wave rather than get pulled under. As Tich Nhat Hahn said, those around us benefit from our self-care and grace.
A positive daily practice is asking ourselves; how am I taking care of myself today; am I smiling, flowering, calm. We can be the change we wish to see if we choose it. Things don’t change. We do.
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix, musician
We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated.
Dr. Maya Angelou, writer, performer, activist
If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then we would have peace.
Imagine all the people sharing all the world.
John Lennon, The Beatles, composer
A country is only as good… only as strong as the people who make it up and the country turns into what the people want it to become… I don’t believe any longer that we can afford to say that it is entirely out of our hands. We made the world we’re living in and we have to make it over.
James Baldwin, author
Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no trouble, noise, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
Lady Gaga, singer, composer
Blessings self-compassion and lovingkindness each day one at a time.