With so much conflict in our world these days, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. How do we shut out the noise and find that feeling of peace and tranquillity that feels so elusive? Understanding what’s behind all the turmoil is a good place to start.
When my daughter Colleen was around six years old, she made an unusual request in her letter to Santa. She asked him for world peace—a simple request in the eyes of an innocent child.
A few weeks into the new year, we were watching the news and she commented, “That doesn’t look like world peace.” As a parent, how do you respond to that? Not wanting to shatter her innocent view of the world, I recall saying something along the lines of the only path to world peace is for everyone to change their behaviour—and even the magical Santa can’t control people’s actions.
I often think of that conversation with my daughter in light of the current state of the world. Sadly, peace is even more elusive in 2023 than it was when Colleen wrote that letter. In many ways, it feels like an impossible dream. But why?
I think this quote from the late Jimi Hendrix sums it up quite nicely:
When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi was right. The world’s major conflicts all stem from someone’s quest for power. Digging a little deeper, that pursuit of power is about the need to be right—no matter the cost. “My way is better than your way.” “My religion is better than your religion.” “My preferred political party is better than your political party.” I could go on, but I think you see my point. It all comes down to: “I’m right, so obviously you’re wrong.”
Over time I’ve realized that, like the schoolyard bully who terrorizes young children, the people who initiate and perpetuate many of the world’s conflicts are often weak and insecure. It takes strength to accept that we could be wrong. It takes real effort to open our ears and hearts and try to understand the views of someone who thinks differently than we do.
How to Make Your Corner of the World a Little More Peaceful
As I contemplate finding peace, I see that it’s something that has to start from within. Like six-year-old Colleen, we can’t change what’s going on in the outside world—no matter how much we wish we could.
So, if you can’t change the world in this season of peace and goodwill, what can you do? A good place to start is focusing on making our own little corner of the planet more peaceful. Here are a few things that have worked for me.
- Carve out time every day to be still. It doesn’t need to be a long time—just five or ten minutes of calm and tranquility can set the tone for the rest of the day.
- Be aware of situations where your need to be right—your need for power—is causing conflict. As the old saying goes, ask yourself if this a hill you’re willing to die on. If the answer is no, let it go. It’s not worth your energy.
- Listen more than you talk. Even when your inner voice is telling you someone is way off base, try to understand their perspective.
- Know when to walk away. When those conversations get to be too much, or you see things that are out of your control that make you anxious, remove yourself from the situation. Leave the room. Keep scrolling. Turn off the TV. Do something that makes you smile instead.
- Stay in the moment. Worrying robs you of your peace. You’re probably worrying about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. But worrying doesn’t change what has already happened or what will happen. Send those worries away and remind yourself to be fully present.
These small steps may not change the world but, with enough practice, they can bring a little more peace into your world.
I’ll leave you with a lyric from my favourite version of Little Drummer Boy.
Peace on earth, can it be
David Bowie
Years from now, perhaps we’ll see
See the day of glory
See the day, when men of good will
Live in peace, live in peace again
How do you shut out the noise and maintain your inner peace? Tell me your thoughts below.
Learn more about me in my bio and on my personal blog at BoomerEcoCrusader.com. You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
Very thoughtful post . Thank for sharing .
Thanks so much for reading. Have a wonderful week ahead!
Thanks
What an amazing child your Coleen! Such a simple and deep thought at such a young age. And as you say, now the world is even worse than before. I like your suggestions for finding peace within ourselves. I read an article that explained that if children were taught to meditate at school we would have a more peaceful world.
Thanks Cristiana. Yes, Colleen has always been wise beyond her years! When my daughters were in elementary school, they did some meditation. I agree that it’s a practice that could do a lot of good.
Ohhhh. Listen more. Yes, yes! Thank you for a beautiful post, Michelle. Timely and lovely. ❤️
Thanks, Vicki. As a talker, I need to constantly remind myself to slow down and listen. Have a wonderful Monday! 💚
You too, Michelle! 🥰
What a great, thoughtful and useful post- thanks Michelle!
Thanks, Todd. I wish you a beautiful, and peaceful, week ahead!
Thanks Michelle – same to you! 🙂
A beautifully wise and truly inspired post here. I hope it reaches the minds and hearts of many. Our good will for peace always points to finding and maintaining that divinely calm inner peace within then acting through it to light the way. Even the few lives we touch becomes a blessing to many more through our connectedness to all. You’ve expressed love of Life so well. Thank you.
Thank you so much for reading and for sharing your lovely comment! I read a quote from Steven Covey, I believe that said “Peace is an inside job.” You’re right that inner peace helps us project a brighter light to the world. Love it!
I pray that one day, soon we would realize that war will never bring peace. A lovely post.
Thank you so much, Sadje. I pray for the same thing. Maybe in 2024…
I hope so 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
If I want to see Peace, I must be Peace…thank you for this beautiful post.
Exactly! It all starts within us. Thanks for reading.
An incredible post, Michelle! Precious Colleen – I love that wish of hers and her wonderful heart for wishing it.
And your four recommendations are so good. Especially “be still.” You and Jimi are onto something and we all need to practice it!
Thank you for this great post!
Thanks, Wynne. I’m sure I still have that letter somewhere in one of Colleen’s scrapbooks. I’ll have to dig it out to see if she remembers it.
Yes, I think amid all the chaos in the world these days, we have to make a point of carving out time to be still.
These are all excellent suggestions for our personal lives! I wish it were as simple to solve the different conflicts around the world, but there are more things that need to happen apart from certain leaders having an attitude change! *sigh!*
Thanks Tamara. Like you, I wish we could do more to bring peace to the world. So sad.
When I look to engage in moments of peace I take myself for a walk in a green space. If that’s not the thing, sometimes I pick up a pen and write something. It can be anything; the next bit of a novel I’m writing, a piece of poetry, or a conversation, with future me, past me, or God.
Thank you for sharing your story and your encouragement to take time to be still each day. 🙏