We often convince ourselves that happiness lies in the tangible: oodles of money, a promotion to the coveted C-suite, or the kind of love story that sweeps us off our feet and whisks us away to tropical paradises. Maybe it’s the sleek car we’ve been eyeing on our phones during breaks, the dream home with a manicured backyard in a perfectly temperate climate, or the ever-expanding investment portfolio promising financial security forever. Perhaps it’s that idyllic scene of lounging on a warm beach, daiquiri in hand, with a kaleidoscope sunset painting the sky.
But here’s the truth: none of these things truly satisfy us.
These external pursuits, as glittering and enticing as they seem, will never fill the deep longing within. When we achieve them, we don’t stop; we simply move the goalposts. The craving for more is insatiable, a “hungry ghost” that society has trained us to feed. Yet if we pause and look inward, we can uncover what we actually desire—not fleeting achievements or possessions, but peace.
What Is Peace?
The world may seem chaotic and demanding, and yet, peace remains available to us at any moment. It takes intention. It takes practice. It takes courage to release the false promises of external validation and turn inward to nurture the quiet stillness of the soul.
The Practice of Peace
What if you could live in a world where nothing bothered you—nothing? Would that be peace?
This question feels especially poignant during this season of holiday songs calling for “peace on earth” and “joy to the world.” These ideals may seem impossibly distant from our noisy, stressful lives, not to mention the chaos we are experiencing globally, but I’ve learned that peace on the outside begins with peace on the inside. Through mindfulness and loving diligence, I’ve discovered that peace isn’t something we find—it’s something we grow.
Over the past few years, I’ve doubled down on my own practices. I am not the same person I was. My worries haven’t vanished, and life’s challenges haven’t magically disappeared, but they no longer hold the power they once did. Each day, I choose to return to my center. I let go of limiting beliefs, old patterns, and the mental noise that once ruled me. It hasn’t been an overnight transformation—it’s been a journey of small, deliberate choices that have added up to profound change.
This morning, I asked my husband, “Do I seem different to you now compared to a few years ago?”
He paused thoughtfully before answering, “Yes.”“How so?” I asked.“You’re less reactive, more thoughtful, kind, and loving.”
And there it is: the peace I’ve cultivated inside is reflected outward.
A Heartfelt Wish
As I write this, my throat is tight with tears forming. I hold a deep wish in my heart—for myself, for you, and for the world. I mean this from the bottom of my heart:
May we each create moments of peace within. May we slow down, breathe, and choose mindful presence over the endless chase for more. And may this peace ripple outward, touching our relationships, our communities, and beyond.
Peace is not a destination; it is a choice we make, moment by moment. It is my deepest desire for all of us, this season and always.
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