Channeling Inner Peace
“During this time.”
“During these difficult times.”
“Such troubled times.”
I see these and many other similar phrases frequently — in news articles, social media posts and letters from non-profits, just to name a few.
Times are difficult, no doubt: Coming up on three years of a horrible pandemic, with the headlines announcing six million dead globally. A horrible war with grave potential consequences. Our Earth facing the fight of its life — and all of the climate disasters as a result. Difficult indeed.
We are urged to be strong, to breathe deeply, take care of ourselves, and help others –during these times. That is great counsel, but why would we do all those wonderful things only in certain times? Further, what is so different about these times versus other times?
Last time I checked — and I can confirm this with my history-loving husband — our world has endured countless difficult times: World wars and plagues. Power-hungry tyrants. The need of some to think others are inferior. Famine. The list goes on and on.
I am NOT suggesting that this is “normal,” and that we should simply carry on. Quite the contrary. Instead of reserving our best behavior for difficult times, why don’t we simply decide to be our best selves all the time?
The world is cheering for the courageous people of the Ukraine right now. Social media shows countless visuals of brave and saucy souls fighting for their beloved country. One gets teary when watching little old ladies making Molotov cocktails, or little Ukranian girls singing songs in the subway to block the noise of the bombings. Many are suggesting that we all can learn from these strong, resilient people: https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/a39281760/oprah-democracy-ukraine/?fbclid=IwAR1ogyo6PBdl9j-l2s6u7WE58dSLAwxBVA5gg__2C2iC4gtbv3Kk1ixEjMQ.
Many people are doing just that — raising money for those who are fleeing the conflict, donating to charitable organizations, or simply feeling blessed for all of what they have and praying that others see better days.
While this is certainly an extreme example, bad things happen. How can we be consistently strong, breathing deeply, taking care of ourselves and helping others? And how can we feel like we’re helping our world right now?
I really struggle with this last question. I think many people feel inadequate in attempting to affect positive change at a global level. But there-in lies the rub: Most of us can’t affect change globally, but nonetheless, we can make a difference. Back to the small step approach: One little thing. My heart sings when viewing pictures of students raising money for the people of the Ukraine and the posts of oh so many people signaling their support and care.
And as I pondered all of this, into my inbox came a provocative article suggesting that we can positively impact world peace by focusing on — of all things — inner peace:
“What if believing in our interconnectedness with the universe keeps us mindful of our power and causes us to make conscious choices to be more understanding, kind, and compassionate in everyday interactions?
Imagine how your inner peace might affect others. What might change? Imagine your inner peace will now be traveling with others as they go on to their next destination, affecting even more people who carry it to their next destinations as well. What if your inner peace will travel along invisible currents in our shared energy field, affecting some anxious or angry stranger who today needs to feel peace within?”
I have seen my mood — positive, negative or otherwise — impact others. So it’s not a big stretch to imagine proactively choosing to be positive and peaceful, and hoping that the good energy travels along on its merry way. It seems the least that we can do — during these difficult times. Or how about all of the time? It sure beats the alternative.
