Christmas time is a time for “peace on earth, goodwill to men”. However, peace begins with us as individuals for how can we have “peace on earth”, when we feel no peace within ourselves.
I believe that what keeps us from a feeling of peace is one of two things – we allow circumstances outside to take away any peace we might be feeling or we allow thoughts within to steal our peace.
Often we let people, places and things/events disturb our peace. Michael Singer in his book, The Untethered Soul, says that when someone or something is disturbing us, that we pull back (mentally and emotionally) from that thing. By creating a space, we allow the disturbance to pass by without attaching itself to us. Try this – the next time something out there bothers you, mentally pull back and see if you do not feel more peace in the situation.
The second thing that disturbs our peace is the negative thoughts about ourselves that we hold onto – thoughts of low self-esteem, guilt, shame or unforgiveness for others or ourselves. How can we be at peace in the world if we are not at peace with ourselves? If we believe in a Higher Power that is Perfection, how can we believe it can create anything less than perfection? That does not mean that we have no flaws, it just means that we are a work in progress.
This holiday season, as things get more and more hectic, remember that peace is an inside job, and peace on earth will only happen when we feel peace within.
Quote of the Week
“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
