Most of us know or have an idea of what happiness is/means to us. I am going to start with: "What Is Peace of Mind?"
"Peace of mind is a state of mental and emotional calmness, with no worries, fears or stress. In this state, the mind is quiet, and you experience a sense of happiness and freedom."
Peaceful moments are often experienced without us actually realizing it; it can be through watching TV, being in the company of someone special, or walking on the beach. Most times, activities like these take the mind away from its usual thoughts and worries, and it allows you to experience inner peace. However, throughout most of these activities it so often happens that one does not fully experience peace of mind. Now the question is: "how do you get to experience more peace of mind, more importantly, how do you experience it in difficult and challenging times?".
The following are my tips to foster peace of mind that can lead to overall happiness.
Negativity
This is the biggest culprit in disturbing your peace of mind and stealing your happiness.
Stay away from negative conversation. Negative words and thoughts sink in to your subconscious mind and affects your mood and behaviour.
Forgive
Do not hold grudges. As difficult, painful or hurtful as it may be, learn to forgive and forget. Nurturing feelings of unforgiveness hurts you and makes you bitter. Forgiving someone or something will not change what happened, but it will have an impact and change the future.
Jealousy and envy
As hard as it may be, do not be jealous of others. Jealousy means that you have a low self-esteem (not necessarily) and therefore, consider yourself inferior to others. Be accepting, be loving and be happy with who you are.
The past
Don't dwell on the past. The past is not here anymore, so why think about it?
Let bygones be bygones. Forget the past and focus on the present moment. There is no need to evoke unpleasant memories and get immersed in them. Learn to be more patient and tolerant with family, friends,colleagues and everyone else.
Don't take everything too personally.
When we take things personally we are giving another individual more power over us than what they deserve, or should ever be allowed to have.
In some cases a certain degree of emotional and mental detachment is helpful. Not everything is about you.
Refuse to think negative thoughts, reject feelings of worry and anxiety, and by doing this, your inner peace will eventually grow and it may lead to external peace. Focus your mind so that you can more easily reject worries and anxieties. Refuse to think negative thoughts, and reduce the constant clutter of your mind. Inner peace eventually leads to external peace. By creating peace in your inner world you bring it into your external world and into other people's lives.
Make a conscious choice every day to protect your peace of mind and not let anyone or anything interfere with it.
