Week 1 - Peace

As a part of my own spiritual and personal practise, I have chosen 52 words to reflect on over the course of the year.
I offer these weekly musings to you.
I am not presenting my thoughts as an authority of the topics presented, simply sharing my perspective and reflections within my community.
One of my key intentions is to contribute to Peace, within and without, so this is my first word.
 
PEACE
What does this word really mean?
What does it mean to be at peace?
Peace on Earth and Goodwill to All
Is it achievable, or does it simply feel like a pipedream in our current world?
Is inner peace something we can only achieve when the world around us is quiet?
What if I can keep the peace around me but it’s at the expense of my inner peace?
 
More than simply the absence of conflict, Peace, in my opinion and experience, is mostly an inner state of BE-ING, a way to see and interpret the world.  Peace is a CHOICE, in each moment, to meet each moment for what it is, not based on the past, or on judgement.
 
As Gill Hicks says, “Peace is a VERB” …it is how we respond to life’s events.  Creating the space to BE STILL and reducing our tendency for fight/flight is one step we can each take towards greater peace, internally and externally.
 
Mindfulness practices are designed largely to assist us to come from a place of CHOICE, to respond rather than to react.  Being conscious of our BREATHING, being in PRESENT time, in the NOW, practising GRATITUDE and practising NON-JUDGEMENT are all contributors towards inner and outer peace.
 
Rituals can be of great benefit too…lighting a candle, some essential oils, or incense can also evoke a peaceful space.
 
Clearing our physical environment, in our bedroom, or living areas at home can contribute to greater peace.  Creating a restful environment could mean allowing silence, or setting boundaries in our lives relating to technology, or it may include using music to evoke a sense of peace.
 
Peace in our relationships means being present to and really hearing the voices of others without judgement, and being CURIOUS rather than defensive.  Perhaps we have allowed our inner peace to elude us in favour of keeping the peace with others – and perhaps it is time to gently express our needs calmly and assertively whilst acknowledging those of others around us.
 
There is a peace which passes all understanding …a deep river of peace which is available to us when we take the time to be still and connect with the deepest sense of who we are, when our SPIRIT can speak to us through the noise of life.  For some, this connection can be felt when out in nature, for others during prayer or meditation, and for others whilst looking deeply into the eyes of a baby, or a pet/animal.
 
Recognising that we cannot control, and are not in control of everything (anything!?) in our life and around us can also lead to inner peace (eventually!) once we choose to surrender – easier said than done sometimes – our ego would rather believe it’s got this all handled!
 
Take a deep breath with me, and let it go! (More to come on this in subsequent posts.)
 
Thank you for musing with me this week! I will leave this Irish Blessing with you:
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
 
Peace be with you…Shalom…Namaste…Mahalo…Salaam, Gabrielle
 
Resources:
May Peace Prevail on Earth www.worldpeace.org
M.A.D. (Making A Difference): Gill Hicks http://www.gilltalks.com
Power of Now: Eckhart Tolle https://www.eckharttolle.com/power-of-now-excerpt/