December 8th, 2011
We say we want peace in the world. I wonder how can we expect the world to be at peace when we are not at peace? If we can’t even be at peace when we’re standing in line? When we’re driving in heavy traffic? When a customer calls and complains? When someone makes a mistake? When we make a mistake? When anything happens that’s different from what we expect or believe?
Confucius said, “To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life.”
If I want peace in the world, it starts with me. I create my world and through the ripple effect, I create the world.
I can’t even begin to describe how much power each and everyone of us has. Every moment, we are creating the world. Every thought we have creates — for better or worse. If you want peace in this world, then create it!
We all have the ability to experience peace and happiness and joy every day. That’s right — every day. In fact, being happy and at peace is our true nature. And when each of us starts practicing being at peace and happy throughout the moments of our day, we create a ripple effect of considerable magnitude. When I am at peace and happy it has a powerful effect on everything I do and everyone I touch, which in turn, affects everything they do and everyone they touch.
Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I own it and say, “I am the change I wish to see in the world.” And when I notice, I am not at peace, I wonder, “How could I be at peace? What’s one thing I could do that could move me in the direction of creating peace?” I look for opportunities to be that change.
Are you game? How could you practice being at peace today?