“First, examine our attitude toward peace itself. Too many of us think it is impossible. Too many think it is unreal.” — President John F. Kennedy

Trust peace to be the driver. Embrace peace. Let peace guide your thoughts and create inner peace during your journey on Earth. Each day, faced with challenges, we can reach for conflict or for peace. We all have the power and strength to make a difference. To choose peace, stop, back up, and ask: “What can I do?” You are trusting your inner wisdom to guide you to do the right thing in any situation. Peace begins with me and starts with a conversation is my motto even when the impossible happens. What stops us from having these conversations is not realizing the power our voices have; how collaborative conversations can move things forward, heal a troubled heart, or provide comfort.vWe each hold a piece to the peace puzzle. By seeking to truly understand your conversation partners, you might be surprised how much more of the complete picture you can see. You never know who will be affected by your peaceful words and actions. When we leave peace behind, the ripple effects can outlive our presence. Peace happens when we connect positively with others, talk through a problem, soothe a child, write a supportive e-mail, or smile at someone.

How to Bring Peace to Our Lives

“Peace is the wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are part.” — United Nations Earth Charter

Recently, interviewing a guest during our weekly Rotary E-Club of World Peace meeting, I asked, “Is peace possible?” He replied, “Peace is the natural order. It is inevitable.” I then asked, “Can we accelerate peace?” and he answered: “It is our duty to lubricate the possibility of peace.” His remark reminded me of the more than 50 peace speakers I interviewed for the 2016 World Peace Conference. The powerful idea repeated by almost every guest was “peace begins with me.” Peace happens moment by moment. Peace is not a destination; it is a journey that begins with us, and it starts with a conversation. Every time you speak and act in ways that promote peace– no matter what the situation–you are building peace. You are strengthening the most beautiful aspect of human nature: our ability to connect, to love, and to elevate ourselves and others. Most of us deeply want peace. Every day, we interact, converse with, and reach out to others. In most cases, we’re hoping for constructive, productive, and profitable experiences, peaceful experiences that build our sense of connection and belonging in the world. We can all do many things in our own lives to facilitate peace. By actively working to create peace in our communities, we can foster peace in our own lives and inspire others to do the same.

I have found that two obstacles to peaceful moments are forgetfulness and lack of awareness that peace is possible. Remembering to take a deep breath, look around, and be present in conversations with friends and others I meet brings a feeling of peace. Being present helps me find peace moments in nature, in the sunshine, while writing in my gratitude journal, and in meditation. I believe that the ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness and actually provides us with more energy for the things we want to do in life.