Tag Archives: peace

“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.

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“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”

—Woodrow Wilson, 28th President of the United States

Weston & Ella

I had the opportunity to do some Halloween trick-or-treating with my daughter, son-in-law, and two excited grandchildren.

Given that Halloween was within a week of our election here in the US, we needed to navigate around numerous political lawn signs as we headed from house to house.

Of particular interest was the absence of any political conversation among the many parents accompanying their kids. What was present was a strong sense of friendly camaraderie as everyone took delight in celebrating this extra sweet occasion.

Woodrow Wilson — the author of today’s quote — was President between 1913 and 1921. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1919 for his efforts in establishing the League of Nations.  He is also remembered for his numerous legislative accomplishments and his high-minded idealism.

EXERCISE:

In what ways do you contribute to the cementing power of friendship in your communities?

How could you win your own peace prize for your idealistic efforts?

“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, our world will know peace.”

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“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, our world will know peace.”

—attributed to Jimi Hendrix

Image from Unsplash by Patrick Fore

Today’s quote is often attributed to Jimi Hendrix although there is no documented evidence that he actually said it.  Regardless of who actually said it, the internet and people around the world have spread its message far and wide.

These days, it’s easier than ever to examine events and people around the world. With 190 plus countries across the globe, we get to see the wide spectrum of customs, politics, ways of living, and how they compare and differ from our own.

Among the qualities people around the world crave most are peace and freedom.

Unfortunately, the considerable struggles we often see over power get in the way. Conflicts and the oppression of people causes considerable misery.

EXERCISE:

Where do you observe the love of power and the power of love in your various communities?

Where would less of the first and more of the second help brings greater peace into the world?

How can and will you contribute to these worthy efforts?

Explore the interconnectedness of the heart and mind

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Explore the interconnectedness of the heart and mind. It is between the two that we discover wisdom, peace, and purpose.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Giulia Bertelli

Since Covid, we have traveled considerably less than in previous years. We’ve continued to schedule trips, only to cancel many for a variety of reasons.

Staying close to home used to be very frustrating. These days, we realize checking certain destinations off our bucket lists is far less of a priority.

Exploring what it means to be modern elders and investigate more matters of the heart has enriched us in many ways we never expected.

EXERCISE:

How much time do you take these days to explore the interconnectedness of your heart and mind?

What does this special connection have to teach you about leading an even more meaningful life?

What if there were no missing pieces in your life

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“What if there were no missing pieces in your life? What would be possible if you found yourself to be whole and complete just as you are?”

—Author Unknown

 Image from Unsplash by Ross-Sneddon

We recently met a new neighbor named Larry, who has always been fascinated by puzzles, and a day never passes without him working on one.

Now in his 70’s, he takes great pride in his lifetime pursuit which covers his entire basement—including one of his masterpieces made up of 43,000 pieces!

Wendy and I enjoy talking with him about his passion and how he has created a vibrant and down-to-earth personality that is nicely put together.

EXERCISE:

How often do you focus on the missing pieces of your life?

What peace, joy and freedom could you find by simply putting together the pieces within yourself and the colorful ones you find along the way?

Discover the quiet moments in your life and absorb their peace

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Discover the quiet moments in your life and absorb their peace.

—Calm App Reflection

Image from Unsplash by Karen Easley

I like the phrase “Peace and Quiet.”

Looking at this saying closely, it seems to me that the word quiet should precede the word peace.

Explore for yourself the quiet times of your days and the level of peace you experience.

What is your life like when you operate during high volume situations?

How peaceful do you feel during these insults to your eardrums?

EXERCISE:

What are some new and better ways you can seek, find, and absorb greater quiet and peace in your life?

When the outside world is loud, be quiet inside

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“When the outside world is loud, be quiet inside.”

—Niklas Goke, writer/blogger

Image from Unsplash by chairulfajar

For as long as I can remember, I’ve avoided loud noises.

I rarely seek out or attend big gatherings such as sporting events, concerts, or other  crowded venues. Big cities, airports, and driving in traffic are definitely not for me.

With this awareness in mind, one of my favorite possessions is a set of noise cancellation head phones with those squishy ear buds.

I use them every day to meditate and listen to calming sounds of nature to relax and calm my inner world.

EXERCISE:

How loud is the world around you?

What strategies do you employ to lower the volume to discover greater peace and quiet within?

Seek out the peace and comfort in the familiar

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Seek out the peace and comfort in the familiar. Enjoy the taste of the same fruit twice.

Image from Unsplash by Taras Shypka

What’s your favorite movie?
How many times have you seen it?
What’s your favorite song?
How often do you play it?
What’s your favorite comfort food?

You get the idea…

With the barrage of media influences these days, there seems to be a lot of pressure to always seek novelty in our lives.

Constantly seeking what’s new to check one more thing off our bucket lists seems to be contagious. This excessive busyness and urgency for more and new rarely offers the enduring peace and comfort we truly want.

EXERCISE:

Where do you seek and find comfort in your daily pursuits?

How does savoring the familiar things in life offer this satisfaction and sweetness?

The forced separation from ordinary ambitions

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“The forced separation from ordinary ambitions temporarily right sizes one’s life.”

—Arthur C. Brooks, faculty member of the Harvard Business School

Image from Pixels by Lukáš Vaňátko

How often do you wake up in the morning with a strong sense of peace and calm?

What percent of the time do your thoughts spring into action with all the to-dos for the day, before your feet even hit the floor?

When do you first check your phone for texts or emails that have piled up overnight?

How many truly important messages do you receive each day, and how many do you consider clutter of junk?

Although we are now well into summer, there is always time to do a bit of spring cleaning.

How would some forced separation from your ordinary ambitions that clutter your various inboxes help you right size your life?

EXERCISE:

Where would unsubscribing and removing various barriers to your aliveness make the biggest difference?

Where can and will you begin today?

“If peace comes from seeing the whole, then misery stems from a loss of perspective.”

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“If peace comes from seeing the whole, then misery stems from a loss of perspective.”

—Mark Nepo, Author of The Book of Awakening

Image from Unsplash by Nadine Shaabana

How many of the following issues have you observed in the media and perhaps experienced in your own personal and professional communities over the past couple of years?

Misfortune Burden Adversity Ordeal
Trouble Hardship Pain Sorrow
Trial Catastrophe Disaster Affliction

As you zoom out to what the media shows you and zoom in to the world you objectively experience, how do these two views compare and contrast? Given these often considerably different views, how much has the loss of perspective or disinformation added to your misery? How does seeing the whole offer you a greater sense of peace?

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you gain greater peace from seeing the objective whole of things?  How might greater perspective about your world and the world lessen the levels of misery you may be experiencing?

“Don’t let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”

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“Don’t let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”

—Gyalwa Rinpoche, the 14th Dalai Lama

Image from Unsplash by Shashank Sahay

Each tropical storm and hurricane season, meteorologists begin naming the weather events alphabetically, alternating between male and female names.

Who are the people in your life that create the stormiest weather and buffet you with their winds and waves?

What strategies do you use to deal with these disruptive people in order to remain calm and centered?

EXERCISE:

Take time today to notice the people in your world who exemplify the inner peace and calm you desire.

Consider asking them what they do to channel their inner Dalia Lama, then give some of their ideas a try.