Photo via Katerha on Flickr
“Every day brings a choice: to practice stress or to practice peace”.
Joan Borysen
Every week, I choose a different mindful topic to focus on as a woman, a parent and a creative soul.
This week’s intention is peace. But every week it should be peace, shouldn’t it?
In his book, “Peace is Every Step,” Thich Nhat Hanh writes that “Anger is an unpleasant feeling.”
“It is like a blazing flame that burns up our self-control and causes us to say and do things that we regret later.”
He goes on a bit later in that same paragraph to say, “A mind without anger is cool, fresh and sane. The absense of anger is the basis of real happiness, the basis of love and compassion.”
May you have peace of mind this week. May you have peace in the heart. May you have peace with what is and what isn’t and what may never be.
Peace for what we have and peace for what we will never in a million years find.
May you have peace when angry feelings rise to the top and want to burst out of you.
May you have peace when the noise level is so loud you can’t hear youself think.
May you also have a minute’s peace.
Peace for others who struggle.
Peace between siblings. Peace in the family.
Peace in knowing that right here, right now is perfect just the way it is.
Slow down and everything you are chasing will come around and catch you. John De Paola
Peace comes from within.
And may you find it everywhere you look this week.
Awesomely Awake Duo Posing in Anger
Even in the middle of chaos. Even in the middle of an argument. Even when you know you are right but lose the argument anyway. Even in the car stuck behind a slow driver, a bad driver. Even when you watch the news and you hear things you do not like, even when you want to plug your ears at the sounds of it all.
Practicing peace is simple. It is a matter of closing your eyes, breathing deep and uttering these words:
I am peace.
I am peace.
Om Shanti.
Om Shanti.
You can read about more weekly intentions HERE.
Awesomely Awake 
mamascout
nice. i am working on this. and i am finding, that i do so much better when i lower my expectations and slow down. really obvious, but so hard to implement. thanks for the thoughtful post 🙂
awakeshawn
It is definitely not easy to be at peace when we are in a huge hurry, that’s for sure!
Seasonsgirl
“A heart at peace gives life to the body,”… one of my favorite verses. I try to remember it when there is too much to do and I am going 150 miles an hour. I continue to enjoy your mindfull topics. 🙂
Sandra Madeira
What a fantastic post – I must get that book. Looking forward to reading next week’s post.
Sandra
awakeshawn
Thanks, Sandra. I have a good post on this topic coming Wednesday as well.
Http://mylittlehappies.blogspot.com
Loved this post and such a great reminder that peace is a CHOICE!
awakeshawn
thank you! it certainly is. : )
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Sandra Madeira
I’ve nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Here’s the link…
http://wp.me/p1x6Ui-1C2. Enjoy!
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Linds249
Thank you for creating this wonderful site. I stumbled upon it during a time of need and know that it will help me to live the life that I want to live…most importantly, to be the mother that I want and know I can be.
awakeshawn
@ Linds249 … I’m happy the Universe brought us together then. I say it all the time — motherhood is hard. Extremely. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun and enjoy life, too!! Hang out here. If you’re not on the email list, please subscribe … good stuff will come directly to you as gentle reminders each week. And, we update all day on the Facebook page as well. xoxo to you.