Restoring peace in 2015

When I think about everything that is going on today it is no wonder that people are stressed and uneasy, filled with anxiety and rage. The world is full of people seeking answers and making resolutions to questions and situations to which there seems to be no answers or multiple answers that don't quite fit. I think it's all about peace. Peace on a personal level. I was reading one of my textbooks and found this definition of stress based on Eastern philosophy "an absence of inner peace" (Seaward). So this article today is an effort to remind each of us that inner peace is attainable and is the key to improving and maintaining health. So how do you begin to restore inner peace? First remember that you cannot control everything so focus on what you can control...YOU. You can control your thoughts and responses to life and the events that happen to you. Take time to assess every situation and remember that your perceptions can set off the stress response if they are allowed to lean towards the negative rather than positive. Take time for you! Exercise, garden, read, travel, sing, dance,journal or do anything that brings you joy and relaxation. Just do it. You'll be glad you did. Turn off the technology. I recently got a smart phone and now I know why people get anxious when they are separated from their phones for extended periods of time. However, it is critical that time is spent away from phones and all other technology, so take time to turn it off or put it out of range for a few minutes each day. You will survive. Meditate or pray daily. Get used to spending time in meditation and prayer daily so that you can receive and enjoy all that life and the creator has provided for you. Otherwise you will miss so much. Those are my thoughts for restoring peace in 2015. There will be others. Stay tuned. In the meantime, let me know what you think.