7 Steps to finding Peace Within
By Nargis, 20th Dec 2011 | Follow this author
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Posted in WikinutFamilyDaily Life
I have written a piece on how to find happiness and this is another similar article, focusing on finding the peace we all seek. I come across unhappy people all my life and in my personal life I have tried to overcome my own obstacles by trying to follow the things I write. I hope they help others like they continue to help me. We all slip from the wagon. The idea is to get back on it again and again.
What is peace?
Seems like an obviously simple question. But in reality, look around you. When you talk to people, friends, neighbors, relatives or colleagues, do you find them all smiling and at peace with themselves? Or do you hear them complain all the time? How about you? What do you do when someone asks you, ‘how are you?’ ? Do you always say you are well and life is great or do you usually complain?
First of all we should realize that there is no one on this earth that is exempt from trials of life. From the time we came to this earth, even as babies, there was something to cry about. We fell, we cried. We were alone, we cried. We were hungry, we cried. At that time, we were dependant and lucky for most of us, had someone to help ease our tears.
As we grew older, we gained more independence and more responsibilities as well. Life tested us more. Life moves you around, changes your friends and your familiar surroundings and it gives you something to complain about. The fact though is, that the more you complain, the unhappier you become. You rob yourself of peace and you rob others of peace as well as no one likes to hear others complain.
The dictionary gives examples of peace as:
a.
in a state or relationship of nonbelligerence or concord;not at war.
b.
untroubled; tranquil; content.
c.
deceased.
Hence, if you are at peace you are content with yourself, your life and with everything around you. You are untroubled. You are not in any kind of war with yourself, others or your surroundings. How can you achieve that?
HOW CAN I GET TO SUCH A STATE?
It’s time to take matters into one’s own hands and bring about a change in this bleak scenario. If we don’t change, no one will change it for us. Even God wants us to take steps before He takes bigger ones to help us.
As the Arabs say, ‘ tie your camel before you assign God to take care of it.’ So first make up your mind that you must be happy at all times, at peace with all and that you must do something now to change your condition.
Find your role models. Look around you and find people who don’t complain. If you seek, you will find. There aren’t that many but they are there for sure. See what they do. It might be stuff you never thought of or stuff that doesn’t make sense to you. It may even seem hard at first but reality is that unless we work hard at something, the ball doesn’t get rolling. Start off with the suggestions below then come up with your own as you evolve in this journey:
7 STEPS:
GRATITUDE: When you look at someone above you, for even above the richest person there is someone richer, someone happier, there always will be someone better. But if you just look down, you will feel like most blessed person on earth. Try to feel for those that had no contribution to the state they were born in, it was just fate. If you have food on the table and limbs that work, and a roof over your head, that is more than enough to feel grateful for. I saw many poor kids on the street in third world countries, constantly finding something to smile at and laugh at. Be grateful you are where you are.
OCCUPY YOURSELF AND LIMIT GARBAGE: Most of the people I saw were those that made sure they were busy. The kind of structured busy where they had no time to think of unnecessary things. They fulfilled their responsibilities to themselves, their family and their friends and got a job or did social work. They got busy planning a day even if it was cooking, cleaning and taking care of kids. They didn’t socialize unnecessarily unless it was with good people or close friends. They woke up early, limited garbage like t.v. and movies that only wreak havoc with your mind and read good books that inspired them and motivated them. They also didn’t watch the news, limiting it to reading it online once in a while at most. Their email/social network time was limited to no more than half an hour a day and they disciplined themselves to learning something new every day.
FEEL GOOD ABOUT U: Many such people also did things to make themselves feel good. That varies from person to person but exercise and good food makes you feel good. A massage; volunteering somewhere worthwhile (it makes one feel great to help others in need); and going out regularly with someone you love for a coffee outing just to chat. Don’t waste that time by gossiping but discuss things that you like to talk about or discuss great ideas.
MEDITATE: The thing that has really helped me is morning mantras. Meditating to myself and telling myself how happy I am and how I love the world and it loves me. Just saying that over and over again gives me energy and peace in my body and heart.
DON’T EXPECT THINGS FROM OTHERS: Limit your expectations from others. Try to make it zero. Do and give for others but don’t do it because you expect something in return. Do it to please them and see a smile on their face. Do it because it’s the right thing to do. Expectations always lead to disappointments.
FORGIVE AND DON’T JUDGE: Learn to forgive and make excuses for others when they do things that seem odd or unpleasant. You have no idea what was in their mind and heart and what led them to this. Maybe they need your support, your non-judgmental attitude for them to feel better. Remember: Every obnoxious act is a cry for help. Try to be the better person in every situation without gloating. When you prove others wrong, don’t have a smirk on your face but rather save them the embarrassment.
WORSHIP: The most important and that comes above all of the above and leads to the above as well is to do it all for God, to believe in Him, His control over your life and that nothing happens without HIS wanting it to so there is no need to fret about it. Learn to believe in Him and turn to Him and you will find the peace in your heart that Satan continuously tries to rob you of.
HOW WILL YOU CONTRIBUTE?
Just remember, positive thinking spreads positivity all around and negative thinking does the same. What kind of contributor to this world do you want to be?
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26th Jan 2012 (#)
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