Peace is the Answer

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"Peace is the answer to every question right now." --Lee Anne Peters, in the Weekly Guidance for April 29th through May 5th

I love this advice (which, by the way, was also in The Weekly Guidance for last week). PEACE is the answer to every question right now.

It's easy to say, but sometimes hard to get there. So how do you do it?

Here are some of my favorite ways to find a little peace:

1) Sit down and MEDITATE - Even 10 minutes when you are feeling less-than-peaceful can help you find that place of peace again. So often it is our thoughts that are leading the charge against peace - what we need to do, what we haven't done. what so-and-so said to us, etc. Sit. Breathe. Watch your thoughts just drift on by.

2) Get outside and EXERCISE - Or inside. Again, even a short walk around the block will get those endorphins flowing, increase your sense of well-being and augment your ability to choose peace in every moment. And the fresh air on your skin and in your lungs doesn't hurt either.

3) Get a good night's SLEEP - It's hard to remember to choose peace when you start the day completely exhausted. Getting at least eight hours a night will set you up for a more peaceful day.

4) AVOID alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and other "DRUGS" - The side-effects of these substances - disturbed sleep, irritability, dehydration, etc. - disrupt our bodies' natural functions and make peace harder to achieve.

5) SPEAK YOUR TRUTH with lovingkindness - Holding back and holding it is may seem like the easiest ways to achieve peace when in conflict with another person, but this can create explosions of anger and frustration when you least expect it. Instead, try and speak your truth using "I" statements and with as much kindness as you can muster.

6) Simply LET SOME THINGS GO - If you can't muster the courage to speak your truth, or you just don't have the time right now, decide to simply let it go. There's no rule that says you have to be upset that someone cut you off in traffic or stole your idea. Make the decision to let it go this time and see how good (and peaceful) this can feel.

7) Take more NAPS - If you are feeling tired and irritable between the hours of 2:00 and 5:00 in the afternoon you are not alone. This is a great time to sneak off for a twenty minute nap. Set a timer, close the blinds or put on your sleep shades and start snoozing. You'll wake up recharged, refreshed and ready to choose peace again.

8) Have more ORGASMS - This one may make you laugh, or blush, and I had to work up the courage to add it to the list, but orgasms are great for stress relief (and thus greater peace) and can often be achieved in a few minutes (or sometimes even less :)

9) Practice FORGIVENESS - When you mess up or make a mistake, let yourself off the hook as soon as you can. Do the same for others. We all have our good days and our bad days, our low moments and our high moments. Forgive as quickly as you can and claim the peace the comes as a result.

These are the ones that I can think of off the top of my head. I am sure there are a lot more. What are your favorite ways to choose peace?

[This photograph was taken in Lahaina on the island of Maui on a recent family vacation and is one in a series of three. Check back tomorrow to see photograph #2]

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