Having and Being Peace
Part Two: Vow to Choose Peace with each Decision
By Thomas A. Leenerts, Psy.D. and Berta Stella Cantón
Vow to choose peace may sound like a passive way of being in the world. It
may be seen as an excuse for not participating, or for letting injustices go
unchallenged. Indeed it is only when we are peace that we have the presence of
mind to follow our inner voice for the proper action.
We may think of peace as something that we only stumble upon at random and a
rare occurrence. But it is always available to us, and as our lives grow more
complex, it becomes important to wake up to the truth of who we are. Without
knowing that, we are left vulnerable in a time of rapid change, where even the
tiniest shift can topple us if we are not living from our center. If being and
choosing peace in all decisions becomes a priority in our lives, we can cope
with all the pressures brought to bear by modern life. Before long, others
recognize the peace we bring to everything that we do, spreading peace as a balm
to the lives of everyone.
It is often hard for people to know what peace is. The word itself is seen as
ambiguous or soft, and people can’t recognize when they do or don’t experience
it. Its most recognizable form is that state of being wherein we are no longer
impacted by the past or worried about the future. We are at rest and have the
strong sense of being anchored in ourselves even as the world around us is
changing. We are not striving to become this or that and mentally we are
conflict free. Once we have found that place, we know it for the permanent
treasure it is and will increasingly refuse to give it up for something that
comes and goes.
As we consistently choose peace, the shape of our lives changes. Living from
our peace center we move through our days differently. We feel calm and relaxed,
and possess a strong sense of humor. We see things from a clearer perspective,
often appreciating the absurdities present in so many situations. Sometimes we
may seem strangely non-responsive, but it is because we are not playing the
societal games that many have become accustomed to.
Peace does not require a complicated regimen. The simplest way of waking up
to being it, is to begin with the very next time we find ourselves faced with
some kind of decision. At that precise moment, consider only which alternative
extends and fosters peace - peace within us. No matter what the circumstances,
one possibility will engender more peace than the other and your inner voice for
peace will let you know plus you’ll feel it in your body. Choose that option.
That is the simple practice of choosing peace.
It doesn’t matter how mundane the task or how stressful the dynamic, we have the
choice to move through it from the calm center of our being. Whether we are
shopping or taking out the garbage, processing information or waiting in line to
buy tickets for a game, sitting in the dentist's chair or stuck in traffic,
closing a big contract or experiencing criticism, we can use every single
situation as an opportunity to be peace. When we do so, we effect not only
ourselves but the totality of consciousness.
“Reminder Card”
In order to help us stay focused on being peace we suggest using “reminder
cards,” as was mentioned in Part One.
Write out on four business size cards the statement:
“Today, in every decision I make, I will
choose the one that engenders more peace.”
For example Ralph is being vigilant in observing his thoughts noticing he is
regularly making judgments about others. Once he was aware of this it was clear
that he had a choice to continuing that thinking or to let it go and opt for
peace. After repeatedly making a decision that favored peace he became more
certain that it was peace and only peace that he wanted. Furthermore he knew
that opting in all decisions for the one that engendered peace was the way to
realizing what he wanted, peace. In each of his decision for peace he was
pouring more peace into the totality of consciousness to the benefit of all of
us. We are free to do the same!
Copyright 2005 by Thomas A. Leenerts
< to PART 3 >
Thomas Leenerts and Berta Cantón have new book entitled, Wellfolk, is expected
to be out by this summer. If you would like to know when it is available please
click here.
Please e-mail us about your experience with being peace as suggested in this
article. With your permission we will share it with others on the PeaceCenters
web-site. To send an e-mail
click here.
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