{"id":2457,"date":"2020-12-04T18:37:27","date_gmt":"2020-12-04T18:37:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=2457"},"modified":"2020-12-04T18:37:27","modified_gmt":"2020-12-04T18:37:27","slug":"how-to-develop-a-peaceful-mind","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/12\/how-to-develop-a-peaceful-mind.html","title":{"rendered":"How to Develop A Peaceful Mind"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"peaceful<\/a>
Photo by cottonbro from Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We all wish to have that seemingly elusive \u201cpeaceful mind.\u201d \u00a0A peaceful mind is like a still pond.\u00a0 You can toss a pebble or rock into it, and there will be some ripples.\u00a0 However, it quickly reverts back to its still state.<\/p>\n

Like the pond, a peaceful mind may be upset momentarily by life\u2019s inevitable frustrations and problems.\u00a0 But it quickly goes back to being still and at peace.\u00a0 That kind of mental steadiness is what we all strive for.<\/p>\n

But how do we get there?\u00a0 How do we achieve that peaceful state of mind?\u00a0 Below are some ways to develop a peaceful mind so that you can feel less worried, agitated and stressed.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Take Things Personally<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you want to consistently have a relaxed, peaceful mind, don\u2019t take what others do and say personally.\u00a0 Admittedly, it is very hard not to get upset and take it personally when someone is rude to you.\u00a0 When that happens, we reasonably think, \u201cWell, if I was important or powerful or likeable, then that person wouldn\u2019t be rude to me.\u201d\u00a0 However, that simply isn\u2019t true.<\/p>\n

If someone is rude or mean to you, it is because that person has a character flaw.\u00a0 Their actions have nothing to do with you.\u00a0 Rather, their poor behavior is the result of their flawed character.<\/p>\n

So, while the behavior of rude or unkind people can be upsetting, their behavior shouldn’t rob you of your peace.\u00a0 You can be at peace knowing that regardless of what others do and say, you choose to hold yourself to a higher standard.<\/p>\n

Stop Worrying About What You Can\u2019t Control<\/strong><\/h3>\n

One of the main reasons why we unnecessarily feel agitated is that we worry about matters which are outside of our control.\u00a0 For instance, try as we might, we can’t control other people.\u00a0 Likewise, we can’t control the weather, the economy, or whether we or someone we love becomes ill.<\/p>\n

In fact, a great deal of life is outside of our control.\u00a0 And yet, the things that are outside our control are what we worry about the most.\u00a0 That worry is futile!\u00a0 Worrying will never change anything.<\/p>\n

The only thing you can control in life is yourself.\u00a0 So, be kind, be responsible and be honorable (meaning be trustworthy and keep your word).\u00a0 Live a life in which you hold yourself to the highest standard.\u00a0 And if other people around you act without honor, don\u2019t worry about it.<\/p>\n

If calamity befalls you, deal with it as best you can.\u00a0 But again – don\u2019t worry about it.\u00a0 Worrying has no value, and it will not solve your problems.\u00a0 Worry only prevents you from having a peaceful mind.<\/p>\n

Surround Yourself with Calm, Peaceful People<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When we are around agitated, unhappy people, we tend to feel that way ourselves. People like that have a negative energy which saps the life out of everyone.\u00a0 They will point out everything that is wrong in life and will predict tragedy at every opportunity.\u00a0 Those folks will steal your peace of mind.<\/p>\n

People who are angry and aggressive have the same effect.\u00a0 Unfortunately, there are some people in this world who like to create conflict.\u00a0 They run around telling people off whenever they feel the slightest bit offended.\u00a0 They are unhappy, and they believe their unhappiness is everyone else\u2019s fault.\u00a0 Avoid these people like the plague.\u00a0 They create drama wherever they go, and they will rob you of your peace.<\/p>\n

Instead, if you want to have a peaceful mind, choose to be around mature, relaxed, easy-going people.\u00a0 Be around people who themselves are peaceful, and their peaceful spirits will rub off on you!<\/p>\n

Pray or Meditate<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sometimes, in spite of our best efforts, our minds are agitated.\u00a0 We may be worried, irritated or just plain mad!\u00a0 That happens to the best of us.\u00a0 When our emotions get the better of us, that is the time to stop and pray or meditate.<\/p>\n

Through prayer and meditation, we give our brains a break from whatever is troubling us.\u00a0 Those practices allow us to clear our minds.\u00a0 So, for instance, we may change our focus to praying to God for strength and guidance.\u00a0 Or we may try to turn our attention to peaceful thoughts by listening to a guided meditation.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t really matter which approach you choose.\u00a0 The point is to give your brain something else to do besides engaging in anxious thinking. \u00a0I happen to use both approaches.\u00a0 So, sometimes I\u2019ll pray or listen to a hymn.\u00a0 At other times, I\u2019ll listen to a guided meditation.\u00a0 Both help me return my mind to a positive, peaceful state.<\/p>\n

Immerse Yourself in a Positive Activity<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If you are feeling agitated or stressed, sometimes it helps to just do something positive.\u00a0 You need to do something that allows your mind to stop thinking upset, frustrated thoughts, and to instead focus on a quiet, peaceful, positive task.\u00a0 Ideally, the task should be something that gives you a sense of accomplishment.\u00a0 At the end of the task, not only should you feel more relaxed, but your self-esteem should get a little boost!<\/p>\n

Baking a pie, doing some gardening or cleaning out a closet are all positive, productive ways to divert your attention from your concerns.\u00a0 The benefit is that when we do something positive, we feel capable. \u00a0We feel like we have the power to solve our problems, and that naturally makes us feel less worried and upset.<\/p>\n

So, find an activity that allows you to accomplish something of value!\u00a0 Immerse yourself in a project.\u00a0 For example, you might create a photo album for a family member.\u00a0 Or maybe you might purge your belongings and create a pile of stuff to give away.\u00a0 Not only will your home look better with less stuff, but someone else will appreciate your hand-me-downs.<\/p>\n

When you shift your focus away from your concerns and on to something positive, you naturally will feel more positive and more peaceful.<\/em><\/p>\n

Realize that you don\u2019t have to live your life feeling agitated or worried.\u00a0 If you are seeking to develop a more peaceful mind, consider using the approaches above.\u00a0 If you do so, you will find that you are more relaxed, at ease, and at peace.\u00a0<\/em>(To read about being at peace in an unpeaceful world, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Email: meerabelle@meerabelledey.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

To receive my Free E-Book, “The Confidence Course,” and subscribe to my weekly newsletter, visit meerabelledey.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We all wish to have that seemingly elusive \u201cpeaceful mind.\u201d \u00a0A peaceful mind is like a still pond.\u00a0 You can toss a pebble or rock into it, and there will be some ripples.\u00a0 However, it quickly reverts back to its still state. Like the pond, a peaceful mind may be upset momentarily by life\u2019s inevitable…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nHow to Develop A Peaceful Mind - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"We all seek to have a peaceful state of mind.\u00a0 Learn about ways to develop a peaceful mind so that you can feel less worried, agitated and stressed.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to Develop A Peaceful Mind - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"We all seek to have a peaceful state of mind.\u00a0 Learn about ways to develop a peaceful mind so that you can feel less worried, agitated and stressed.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/12\/how-to-develop-a-peaceful-mind.html\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Your Morning Cup of Inspiration\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-12-04T18:37:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wp-media.beliefnet.com\/sites\/390\/2020\/12\/pexels-cottonbro-4056529-367x550.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Meerabelle Dey\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How to Develop A Peaceful Mind - 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