For years and years people have talked about wanting peace. Wars have been waged in the name of peace. That is rather ironic considering war is anything but peaceful. The fact about peace is that it begins within each individual person. 

In this day and age it can seem difficult to find inner peace. Stress over work, bills, family and all sorts of other things can make peace feel something people can only dream about. There are ways to achieve a peaceful heart even during the most troubling of times. 

Live for today

Part of the problem some people have is constantly worrying about tomorrow, next week or next month. They worry about bills due at a later date or an upcoming event. This is not a way to live! Worrying about the future is rather pointless since it is never guaranteed. Some people firmly plant themselves in the past. They long for times gone by or refuse to move on from a certain situation or period in their past. This is also not healthy. 

Learning to live one day at a time can help reduce stress and allow you to appreciate what each day has to offer. Try waking up with the realization that it is a new day full of promise. Living in the future or the past makes you miss out on the present. 

Random kindness

One of the best feelings in the world is knowing you have done something nice for someone. The kind acts that require nor expect anything in return are truly a hug for the soul. Committing random acts of kindness can make others feel good and bring a smile to your own heart.

It all sounds kind of sappy, doesn’t it? The proof is in the action and reaction. Try it once (or more) each day and see what happens. You might just start believing in some of that sappy stuff after all. Besides, it can’t possibly do any harm to be nice to people. 

Count blessings

It is very hard to be thankful for a job you don’t like, bills you can’t pay and having to deal with rude people everyday. Life is full of stressful things and people. It is also full of beautiful little things people often take for granted. Things like breathing, quiet mornings or the way your cat snuggles at your feet. Have you ever thought to be thankful that you are breathing?

Take a moment each day to count all of the blessings you have in your life. Blessings come in all forms such as loved ones, a roof over your head, food to eat and a bed to sleep in. Sunshine and rain are blessings, life itself is a blessing. Stop counting everything you don’t have and start counting what you do have.

Positive thought everyday

Some people wake up already thinking about all the stress they have to face during the day. This is an awful way to start the day. To think that they do it on purpose is just sad. You can change the whole feeling of a day by simply thinking a positive thought first thing in the morning. 

If you are not an early morning thinker then come up with your positive thought on the way to work/school. Maybe a positive thought will come to you over lunch or right before bed. It doesn’t matter when, just sometime between waking in the morning and falling asleep at night, indulge in an uplifting thought. 

Avoid negativity

Negative situations and people can take away your peace quickly or chip at it a little at time. Negative people will pull you down, even if it is not a conscious effort. It takes a lot of energy to be around negative people. Pretty soon you can find yourself being just as sour as they are, or resenting them for their negativity. Either way is not healthy or peaceful. 

It can be difficult walking away from negative situations or people at first. However, over time you will discover that you feel better and have a more positive outlook. Associate with energetic, positive people and engage in fun activities that make you feel happy. 

It is not always easy to find peace or feel it in your heart. Life serves up a platter of stress and negativity on a regular basis. This is why it is so important to start creating your own happiness. You cannot wait for the world to do it for you. 

By avoiding negative people, counting your blessings and being kind you can fill your heart with peace. After all, peace comes from within and projects outward. Perhaps you can inspire someone else to find their peaceful heart.