Practice Peace*
“Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.”
~Unknown
Peace begins at home, home within the center of each of us. Our peaceful state of mind can then be extended to our family, friends, community, country, and the world. It can even be extended to people who don’t believe as we do. If we each take steps to promote this harmony, we could eventually see peace reaching epidemic proportions. I’m up for that! Are you?
Especially in the times we are living in, it may often seem easy to condemn individuals or groups of people who do not think like we do. We may shake our heads wondering why they can’t believe the things we believe.
Not long before the U.S. elections last November, I came across a quote by Dr. Joe Dispenza that really has helped me to not judge other people for thinking so differently than me. He said, “People only accept, believe, and surrender to the thoughts equal to their emotional state.” Whoa. That statement has helped me to be in the midst of so much of the divisiveness that’s all around me and still be calm in my heart. It made me realize that I couldn’t convince someone else to think just like me any more than that person could convince me to think like them.
And it reminds me that we were all born into this world as a radiant and beautiful soul of light and love. But somewhere along the way, some people have forgotten this—usually due to their experiences from birth and age 7 (according to the new science of epigenetics.) When someone like this comes across my path, I try to remember to send them love, peace, and compassion. And sometimes it isn’t easy . . .
I believe if each of us takes the steps necessary to truly practice peace at home within our bodies and souls, then it will be easier to sustain a peace consciousness throughout our entire planet. Is it possible to transform this fear-filled thinking back into a focus on peace and love? Yes, I believe it is, and I will spend the rest of my life working toward that goal.
You can too. Every day, you can choose to create peace within your own heart and mind. When scrolling through social media, watching the evening news, or listening to a podcast, you can take deep breaths and create a moment to pray for peace. You might even choose to create a ritual of peace-thinking in your daily life. For example, every time you stop at a red light, it could be a signal to think peace and be peace. I love the peace bumpers stickers I see when I’m driving too. And I giggle out loud every time I see the one that says, “Envision Whirled Peas!”
I invite you to join me in mindfully taking time to pray for peace, within ourselves first and then pray for peace throughout the world. Whether you are walking through the doorway of your own home, walking downtown, standing in the line at the grocery store, or going through the metal doorway in airport security—dare to be the carrier of peace.
There are bright spots as individuals and organizations daily create peace in big and small ways. Years ago, I shed a few tears when I read a poster (sponsored by Raventalk) on the underground train while riding from one concourse to another in the Denver airport. It contained the following quote by Longfellow: “If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we would find in each personal story enough suffering and sorrow there to disarm all hostilities.”
When we practice peace in all parts of our daily life, I believe we could actually begin to upset the condition of conflict and turmoil in the world. Practice peace. Think peace. Be peace. Touch peace. It’s communicable.
10 Suggestions for Practicing Peace
Recall a part of your life that would benefit from an infusion of peace right now. Ask yourself if you are ready and willing to take steps to create more peace around this situation. Ask for peace to enter your heart and mind.
Meet conflict with awareness, directness, compassion, and a desire to seek a solution. Keep in mind that conflict isn’t bad, it’s choosing verbal or physical violence to attempt to resolve the conflict that is so harmful.
Do not stuff unsettling feelings inside or ignore them but wisely choose to observe them rather than act out in anger.
Learn more about nonviolent communication (NVC), often referred to as compassionate communication, through the work of Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD. The Center for Nonviolent Communication www.cnvc.org defines nonviolence as “the natural state of compassion when no violence is present in the heart.”
When you are with a family member, neighbor, co-worker, or anyone who presses your buttons, pause and take a deep breath. (It’s best to do this deep breathing thing subtly . . .) Make a choice to respond rather than to react. You may simply say something like, “Really? That’s interesting.” Then, put imaginary duct tape over your buttons and refuse to react when someone attempts to press them. Remember, someone might be pressing your buttons, but they didn’t install them.
Respect yourself and others by choosing not to use any profanity or comments that degrade or puts someone down. This includes your own self-talk.
Speak out for those who are being unjustly disrespected. Use clear and respectful language and choose words that do not blame or judge.
Be open to understanding ideas and people you have previously opposed. Dare to discover where you can find common ground. Exploring what both sides can be for rather than be against is always a good place to start. The other person doesn’t need to be wrong to make you right.
Dare to think about just one significant way you can work more effectively with the people in your workplace, school, or community. Then take action to put that idea into place. Observe how peacefully working together can create more peace in our world.
Smile more often, at yourself and others. Smiles—and peace—are communicable.
*This blog is an updated and expanded excerpt from Chapter 14 from my book Wellness Wisdom: 31 Ways to Nourish Your Mind, Body, & Spirit 2nd ed © 2011 published by iUniverse.
Copyright © 2025 by Susan Tate