World Peace Starts with Inner Peace
![World Peace Starts with Inner Peace World Peace Starts with Inner Peace](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/flags-4430785_1920-cropped-250x145.jpg)
In the month of December, the world recognizes the Universal Human Rights of all persons, the betterment of humanity by Nobel Prize winners (Dec 10) and Americans commemorate the ratification of the Bill of Rights (Dec 15).
World peace is a big order. As I pondered this, I flipped through “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff at Work” and Tip #12 caught my attention. “Light a Candle Instead of Cursing the Darkness” was a powerful reminder that peace begins within.
Yet, with everything going on in the world right now, many people seem overwhelmed with emotion and are willing to lash out on just about any topic. Many discussions elicit discontent, dissatisfaction, and soap boxing.
Is this you? If it is, you are doing yourself and everyone you interact with a terrible disservice. You will never find inner peace.
![statue-4882778_1280 It's Your Mind -- Use It! Here are strategies you can use to shift your mindset so conversations are calm and productive. Question your assumptions. It’s difficult to resist blowing off steam if you believe it will provide relief. Check in with yourself a half-hour later to see if your anger is gone. Read studies about how road rage can affect your heart.](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/statue-4882778_1280.jpg)
It’s Your Mind — Use It!
Here are strategies you can use to shift your mindset so conversations are calm and productive.
- Question your assumptions. It’s difficult to resist blowing off steam if you believe it will provide relief. Check in with yourself a half-hour later to see if your anger is gone. Read studies about how road rage can affect your heart.
- Set priorities. It’s worth fighting injustice if your child is being bullied at school. If another shopper wants to count four cans of cat food as one item, it makes more sense to be flexible.
- Assume responsibility. Indignation is less tempting when you face how you contributed to the situation. Did you criticize your daughter about her grades when you meant to discuss cleaning up her bedroom?
- Focus on solutions. Unpleasant feelings can be beneficial when they prompt you to take action. Acknowledge your anger, and then concentrate on fixing the situation.
Avoid Getting Hooked
If you are the subject of someone’s vociferous pontificating, use these strategies and avoid getting “hooked”.
![girls-flipped Take a deep breath. Tension builds up quickly. When someone acts aggressively, even if it is verbally and directed at someone else, pause and pay attention to your breathing. Loosen up your shoulders and neck. Think about something that makes you laugh. Accept discomfort. If you fear discomfort, you will never find the gifts on the other side. Turn your attention within as the other person is pontificating. Just feel the discomfort. Accept it. And then let it dissipate. The world will not end. Your head will not explode. As you calm down, the other person will either get off their soap box or go away to find someone who will participate.](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/girls-flipped.jpg)
- Take a deep breath. Tension builds up quickly. When someone acts aggressively, even if it is verbally and directed at someone else, pause and pay attention to your breathing. Loosen up your shoulders and neck. Think about something that makes you laugh.
- Accept discomfort. If you fear discomfort, you will never find the gifts on the other side. Turn your attention within as the other person is pontificating. Just feel the discomfort. Accept it. And then let it dissipate. The world will not end. Your head will not explode. As you calm down, the other person will either get off their soap box or go away to find someone who will participate.
- Shift your attention.
Stop feeding your inner flames. Catch yourself when you’re dwelling on the carelessness of your co-workers or how people don’t value your time by starting meetings late. When you are running these stories, change them. Think about your last major accomplishment and how that made you feel.
Self-Reflection
Here are some great questions that you can ask yourself to manage every conversation. Ask them when you are able to reflect calmly.
- Do I speak with grace?
- When is it best to be silent?
- Why is it important not to blurt out every thought I have?
Integrate New Behaviors
Affirmations are great tools to reinforce new ideas and create new habits. These are designed to help you manage your interactions when you are tempted to get on your soap box.
- I have the strength to tame my tongue. The power of life and death are in my tongue. With my tongue, I choose to build others up, instead of causing harm. I choose to use my tongue to bless others by speaking words of life.
![Depositphotos_15878971_l-2015 Whatever I believe and speak comes to pass. Therefore, I believe and speak only positive words. I focus on what makes life joyful. I am strong enough to overcome the impulse to blurt out words that can do harm. Instead, I exercise wisdom and restraint. I only allow gentle words to flow through my mouth. My love for peace is more important than my need to be justified by speaking my mind. I am strong enough to keep quiet instead of speaking words that make a situation worse.](https://fearlessprojectmanagement.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Depositphotos_15878971_l-2015.jpg)
- Whatever I believe and speak comes to pass. Therefore, I believe and speak only positive words. I focus on what makes life joyful.
- I am strong enough to overcome the impulse to blurt out words that can do harm. Instead, I exercise wisdom and restraint. I only allow gentle words to flow through my mouth.
- My love for peace is more important than my need to be justified by speaking my mind. I am strong enough to keep quiet instead of speaking words that make a situation worse.
- There is wisdom in silence. I think before I speak. I choose my words carefully, recognizing the power of my speech. I prudently choose my words to affect every person and situation in my life in a positive way.
- I speak with grace. I use respectful language to honor those to whom I speak. I deliver my speech with tact, so others listen to what I have to say. I speak to others the way I would want them to speak to me.
- Today, I choose to speak slowly and consider my choice of words carefully. I consider the effect of my words before I speak them and only speak words that have a positive effect on the minds, hearts, and lives of those around me.
When you manage your internal state and get to a state of peaceful reflection, you will inspire others to be more considerate. You will change the world.