Last month I wrote about peace on earth, spreading that message around and believing each message shared matters. 

It got me thinking once again about peace. Merriam-webster.com defines peace as a feeling of being safe or protected. Seems to me that is the short version and misses the mark of a much deeper desire. “Safe and protected” made me think of my goal as a parent, especially the early formative years when children need it the most even if they can’t express it. 

But I’m off point. Let’s get back to peace, specifically inner peace. Seems everyone is interested in it but what is this evasive thing identified as inner peace? Is it a feeling, a wave of emotion, an energy that overcomes us? Or is it something that simply fills our souls? Can I work to get to this state of peace? Does it change us? If so, in what way? Does it last, transform our personality, is it attainable? Are there principles I need to live by to help myself and get to this shared goal of many? 

I have learned that my quality of life is in direct proportion to my thinking. This is something I really believe in. I also love “If you believe you can or you believe you can’t,” as stated by Henry Ford, “you’re both right.”  

As I ponder my 78 years of living and my experience in pursuing peace of mind I can state this:  there seems to be a direct link to slowing down, acceptance, forgiveness, positive thinking, seeing the good, living in gratitude, meditation, and staying focused on the pursuit of purpose. 

Finding peace of mind for me is exactly that—cleansing my mind of the negative, judge no one (always a work in process), no blame, no resentments, live guilt free, be honest, know your motives, do the right thing. And let go of what you can’t control. Let your god, spirit, your faith take over. So much of the noise that interferes with inner peace is a waste of energy and time. Who I want to be is in direct proportion to knowing what I want, working for that goal through adjusting my attitude and thinking. Most important is never giving up on the reward. 

With peace, love and laughter,

Joe & Asta Dunne