Choose What Feels Peaceful

I had an epiphany the other day while feeling frustrated by my choices. I realized that I could instead choose what feels peaceful. All day long.

I don’t have to first generate peace within myself. I don't have to have sole responsibility for creating peaceful experiences for others. I don’t have to hope peace will somehow exist.

I don't have to be disappointed if a sense of peace doesn't always sit within or around me, especially in difficult moments (we are all imperfect, after all).

Instead, I finally realized that there are endless peaceful choices already before us everywhere we go, even in little bits. I just need to choose them as I go about my day.

What is Peaceful?

Dictionaries use some words that I like to use when defining what is peaceful…

• tranquil

• calming

• relaxing

• soothing

• serene

• at ease

• at rest

• secure

However, what brings peaceful feelings to me might feel frightful to another.

I love silence in the morning, quietly savoring my tea while reading. But that might make another feel restless, which is likely not a feeling of peace for them.

Everyone gets to decide for themselves what brings them feelings of peace.

Can We Choose What Feels Peaceful (All Day Long)?

Once I realized that I could choose things that feel peaceful (instead of what feels frustrating) throughout each day, I started to see the multiple ways we can do so…

• choose to live in/visit communities that feel peaceful

• choose to live in/visit structures that feel peaceful

• choose transportation/routes that feel peaceful

• choose fueling/charging stations that feel peaceful

• choose parking lots/spaces that feel peaceful

• choose gathering/resting spots that feel peaceful

• choose work/workspaces that feel peaceful

• choose markets/groceries that feel peaceful

• choose eateries/shops that feel peaceful

• choose entertainment/events that feel peaceful

• choose books/magazines that feel peaceful

• choose articles/websites that feel peaceful

• choose individuals/mentors who feel peaceful

• choose conversations that feel peaceful

• choose assumptions that feel peaceful

• choose to listen in a way that feels peaceful

• choose thoughts that feel peaceful

• choose to pause in a way that feels peaceful

• choose words/responses that feel peaceful

• choose silence that feels peaceful

• choose to leave people/situations in a way that feels peaceful

• choose solitude that feels peaceful

• choose to just be peaceful

This list might sound like a desire to be mindful, as it is mindful to pause and make a peaceful choice.

However, even with mindfulness, I thought I was stuck with many undesirables each day unless I first created peace within myself.

I thought I needed to create peace from scratch, if you will, a great deal of the time.

I can instead choose the peaceful options that already exist before me. Even if they, individually, feel like small morsels.

These peaceful choices add up. These peaceful choices gift and grow peace within. These peaceful choices create a more secure foundation.

These peaceful choices help grow a more peaceful world.

Initially, some of these choices might seem unattainable—which is likely why, in so many areas of life, we don’t think peace is within our control.

But, sometimes, just contemplating our ideal peaceful choice can generate quiet thoughts and actions on our part that help our peaceful choice emerge—in time.

How To Choose What Feels Peaceful

I have decisions to make all day long. I’m now trying to first ask…

• What is the peaceful choice?

• What feels most peaceful to me?

• What feels peaceful to others involved?

If I just think about making peaceful choices, I can let go of the many thoughts I typically think I must navigate through.

I can focus on what feels peaceful and choose that. Automatically. With little thought beyond that.

How beautiful it would be to see our world focus on making peaceful choices everywhere peace is possible … within one’s own control.