Inner peace is a by-product of right thinking coupled with right actions. . .

I wish I could say to you that I have constant inner peace.  But that would be a lie.  I can say, however, that I am more at peace today than at any other time in my life.  And it’s the direct result of changing my thinking.  I wrote a book a few years back titled: Change Your Mind and Your Life Will Follow.  Some of you reading this might have read it.  You can check it out on amazon or my website if interested.   But the premise of the book is the idea that if we truly want our lives to change, we have to change how we show up in our lives.  In other words, if we want to be at peace, we can’t embrace an angry heart.  If we want to experience more joy in our lives,  we have to allow those who are on our path to live how ever they choose.

One of the first and easiest ways to cultivate more inner peace is to let go of the others on my path, to quit trying to control them, to realize and then celebrate that we are in each others’ lives intentionally but that intention is not about control.  It’s about learning how to appreciate each other.  To respect each other’s separate ideas and allow for the differences that give life color and richness.  It’s called detachment.

I have discovered that being able to detach from the behavior as well as the opinions of others is pure bliss.  It’s not about denying that others have acted or expressed their opinions.  It’s simply about learning to live with those differences, knowing they don’t need to define me.  They don’t need to control me.  They don’t need to anger me, scare me, or push me to act in any way other than what would please me.

I well remember the many years of my life that no matter who I was with, I gave them full control over my thoughts and my actions.  I let them define me completely.  And then one day it changed.  No other change I have made has had a greater impact on my relationships with others.  Not judging who I am or how I am doing by the actions of others is such freedom.  It’s a freedom you can’t fully express to any one else.  It has to be felt to be appreciated.

I’m telling you about it in hopes that you will seek it out.  The way to find it is easy.  Let go.  Let go of everyone else.  Let go of their behavior, their opinions, their plans for their future.  Keep your focus where it belongs.  On your path.  A path you share with the God of your understanding.