Does peace really exist more than a word? Does it describe a feeling that we can possibly have, or is it just one of the fantasies that will never materialize? Is there a place where we can actually find peace?
The answer to the above questions cannot be got from the mouth of one, they are questions that provoke thought.
From time immemorial man have tried and failed to create and maintain permanent peace in his community. So many inventions and ideologies have come out and gone in, failing woefully, each claimed to bring peace, but to be honest with you, as the days go by, events and news seem to rob us of every trace and hope of peace that we struggle to hold on to. I remember learning from history that the World War II was dubbed
"the war to end all wars", we can all see the accuracy of that statement for ourselves. Some have advised us to engage in Yoga and Taichi and other forms of physical activities, but do these activities hold the key to the joy and peace that we seek? Some others are seeking material possession to fill the void left by peace, for most, the chase is still very much on, in spite of being well off materially. These and a lot of other findings have made
some people come to the conclusion that, the only place where man can enjoy ultimate peace is in the grave! How wrong could they be?
Does Peace Exist More than Just a Word?
Yes, peace actually exists, we just need to find it. Although the world we live in is saturated with unrest, I still nurse the belief that there a few people who may not necessarily have much material possession, but who experience peace. They found it, you also can find yours.
Where Can We Find Peace?
Where can we find peace in this world of unrest that we live in? The truth is, peace and joy are closer to us than the clothes we where, yet, we need to travel beyond the distance where we can take a company, to locate them! Yes,
joy and peace are so far and yet so near. Joy and peace reside deep within us!
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How to Live a Peaceful and Joyful Life.
True joy and palpable peace resides inside of us, we just need to dig deep and reach them; just like diamond and a host of other precious stones are not just found on the surface of the earth, they come to be by conscious effort and persistent work. Let me tell you something briefly about myself:
I'm from a broken home with the responsibility of taking care of my aging mom and my siblings. I work extra hard to get some money, the money is hardly enough to meet my need and cater for all I had in mind, and to worsen the situation, I terribly detest the job I do, but I have to keep doing it, because there is little hope of a better or even another job, as I do not have a degree yet. But I'm happy, my life may not have turn out the way I wanted it but, I am still happy! Why? How?
- First on the list is, in every moment, no matter how badly I'm tempted to feel down, I remind myself that someone somewhere is having it equally bad, or even worse. And I'm not quick to forget that I've led I worse life than I have now (slept on factory floors for close to two years!). So, I'm constantly grateful for the little I have.
- Believe in something, love something, live for something. Though I'm not a preacher, I believe in a superior power, (God). How has that helped me? Of course I've never seen Him, I'm not sure I've heard from Him, but believing that there is a God who loves, me strengthens me. I work as diligently as I can, and still believe that God bears my burdens. When situations gets really tough for me, I simply take myself out of the center of it all by thrusting it to God, this has a soothing and calming effect on my soul. I have a God, and I try to maintain a relationship with Him.
- Think less. I think, but over thinking magnifies problems beyond proportion. Stressing your self up will not solve the problem. When I'm faced with difficult situations, I hand it all to God and do my best to deal with it. I believe that God will solve the problems through my efforts.
- I appreciate when people treat me with respect and deliver on their promises, but I do not expect them to, people are unreliable. If you base your happiness on the way people treat you, in a whole year, your cumulative moment of happiness may not be up to 30 minutes.
- I don't base my joy on material possessions. It is only wise. The things I would love to have far outweighs what I have, and that is the way it will remain, the more you have, the more you want, our wants are insatiable. Truly I desire somethings, but I focus more on how to enjoy the things that I have now, rather let the lust for what I can't have at the moment ruin my joy.
- Accept yourself for who you are. You influence your destiny but you don't determine your fate. There are people who work harder than you who don't have as much as you do. You are your biggest fan, people will treat you the way you present yourself. The better you feel about yourself, the more productive you will become, and the more impressive your work will be.
- Respect others, respect is reciprocal. Even if people don't treat you with respect, you feel better when you treat others better than they treat you, it gives you a sense of superiority.
- Give more. I am of the thought that what you make happen for others, God, (or Karma if you like), will make happen for you. Givers never lack. Givers are always on top.
- Read books and get materials that can help you improve your life. There is no one with the monopoly of knowlege. Gain knowlege from as many places as you can, and apply them rightly, you will be surprised at how wise you are.
- Give your self some physical work out. Healthy blood flow to the brain improves mental health and positively affects self esteem.
- Maintain a proper and modest lifestyle. if you want peace in your inside, your outside must conform. You can't be wild and want peace. If you want peace, be peaceful.
At this point, let me tell you that I am NOT a philosopher or clergyman, but all the advice I offer here are tested and proved, especially on myself.
This is not all there is, I learned all this on my own. Even though I don't have all the stuff I want, the quality of my life has improved from what it used to be. My self esteem is growing each day and I'm feeling better about myself, you too can, if you work at it.
