There was a time when I thought peace was a destination, in much the same way I imagined I’d eventually arrive at happiness or success. <br /> <br />It seemed like something I needed to chase or find—definitely not something I could experience without dramatically changing my life. <br /> <br />I needed to work less, relax more, and generally revamp my circumstances and relationships in order to be a peaceful person. <br /> <br />Despite seeing peace as an endpoint, I also saw it as something passive; after all, that’s why I was so stressed: I had so much to do. <br /> <br />I’ve since realized that peace is always available, and like any desirable state of mind, it requires effort, even if that effort entails consciously choosing to be still. <br /> <br />Sure, our circumstances affect our mental state, but they don’t have to control them, not if we make tiny choices for our well-being. <br /> <br />Admittedly, it’s not easy to choose peace when we’re going through tough times. I still go through periods when I get caught up in worries and stresses, and it can feel like that’s the only available response to things that have happened. <br /> <br />But it’s not. There are countless things we can do to create peace of mind, both in response to events in our lives, and proactively, everyday.
