Shanti Pax launched a peace process. This is the final post of a 10-blog series called, “The Peace Process: Your 10 Most Powerful Actions for Lasting Peace.” These are the top 10 actions you can take to be AT PEACE during your day and ADD PEACE to the world.
Your most powerful action is to: Be the peace
“Be the Peace” is the Shanti Pax motto. It was inspired by the Mahatma Gandhi quote, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” To Be the Peace in the world may seem a little vague, but read on and I will explain…
It’s the end of a year. The Earth has finished a complete orbit around the sun. And it’s a powerful time to reflect on where you’ve been and where you want to go.
Starting in January of 2013, I began putting on paper the concept of Shanti Pax after years of longing to and pondering how to spread messages of peace, and I launched the site in April. The first posting wasn’t particularly Earth shattering, but it was one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done in my professional life.
It was difficult because I didn’t think I was a good enough writer nor a good enough person to launch a peace blog. I was too flawed. I’ve done things in my life I’m not proud of, I haven’t always been kind to others, and I myself struggle with being at peace in my day-to-day life.
But what I had was a true passion for peace: both inside myself and in the world. And I yearned to teach that which I most wanted to learn.
I was also – and remain – deeply committed to helping others explore areas of personal growth that adds peace to their lives and the world, and to simply spread the message that Being the Peace you want to see in the world makes the world a more peaceful place.
My initial weeks working on the blog were rough. I realized how deeply critical I was of myself. No post was good enough, and I constantly berated myself for being a phony and questioned: “Why should anyone listen to me?”
Then one day I decided to make a rule that I had to believe in myself and my message no matter what. I then made a second rule that I couldn’t criticize a blog post, I could only look for areas of improvement.
And with each passing week, I started to work through my self-criticism and gain more confidence. I constantly reminded myself that no one is perfect and that we’re all struggling to get through life – doing the very best we can on any given day.
In working through my self-criticism I kept returning to the deep desire from inside my soul to assist and serve others, and to provide a forum that brings together those of you who (1) struggle with being at peace during your day, and (2) want to make your world a more peaceful place.
I’ve spent years of my life researching, pondering, and practicing the peace advice that I impart in my posts, so although I don’t have a PhD on issues such as forgiveness or non-judgment, I’ve learned techniques that have worked for me and other peace activists and personal growth teachers.
So, I am welcoming in the New Year and feeling pure gratitude for the path I was on in 2013. I’m grateful for the nights I stayed up until 2:00 am learning how to build a website and the mornings I woke at 5:00 am to put the finishing touches on a post before heading off to work. And I’m beyond words grateful for you. I’m so grateful for all of my subscribers, and for anyone who has clicked on shantipax.com. I thank you more than words can say.
To Be the Peace is overcoming your biggest obstacle to being at peace during your day. Like the Gandhi quote about being the change you want to see in the world, to Be the Peace means if you want to see more love, forgiveness, and acceptance in the world, add more love, forgiveness, and acceptance to your life.
Maybe there is someone you just cannot seem to forgive – or don’t even want to forgive. Maybe you feel stuck because you don’t have the courage or belief in yourself to discover and strive for your true passion. Whatever it is for you, taking the time to identify the obstacle and removing it is your clearest pathway to being at peace during your day, which has the effect of adding peace to the people around you and ultimately the world.
Take action! I challenge you to spend some time with your journal asking the question: What’s my biggest obstacle to Being the Peace in the world? Allow an answer or several answers to appear, and make a plan for 2014 to overcome that obstacle or obstacles.
For me to Be the Peace I must continue to overcome my self-criticism so I can believe in myself, my abilities, and my vision of peace. My plan for 2014 is to keep writing, keep filming, keep connecting to you the reader, and keep searching for peace techniques and stories of inspired peace activism that I can share with you.
When feelings of not being good enough bubble to the surface, I will acknowledge them, sit with them for a moment, release them, and return to my breath. I will then follow it with a positive affirmation of, “I believe in myself and my message of peace.”
Then I will work on enjoying the ride. You’ve heard it a million times, but it’s worth repeating a million more: It’s not about where you’re going; it’s about the journey. So, remember as you remove your obstacles to peace to enjoy the experience of personal growth. Don’t say to yourself, “When this problem is addressed, then I will be happy.” Resolve to be content and grateful in this very moment and throughout all stages of the path.
So, to recap, set your action plan to Be the Peace:
1) Ask yourself,”What is my biggest obstacle(s) for being at peace during my day?
2) Allow an answer to appear and write it down in a journal or the back of an envelope (it helps to bring clarity to the obstacle)
3) Write down an action plan for 2014 to overcome it: make it challenging, but not daunting, and better to focus on one obstacle at a time.
4) Come up with a set of positive affirmations that can help you work through your obstacle, such as, “I believe in myself and my message of peace.”
5) Execute your plan in 2014 with a focus on being gentle on yourself, acknowledging your successes, and enjoying all parts of the journey. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”
What do you think? What is an obstacle you must overcome to be at peace during your day? Or what has been a great obstacle you have overcame in the past and how’d you do it? Post a comment below.
Take action! Spend some time reflecting on 2013. What were your greatest accomplishments and greatest challenges? What roadblock(s) do you need to work on removing for 2014? Make an action plan for 2014 that includes both your personal and professional goals.
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Remember, it’s the little changes you make in your daily life that brings greater peace to the whole.
