Cultivate Peace

Good Morning,

I am not one to take sides and this mornings post is not intended as
some type of anti-wat diatribe or political viewpoint. I simply wish
that all of us may find the peace that naturally and abundantly flow
within each of us and that some day at some point we realize that
whenever there is conflict, that whomever we take sides with or
against, we are only fighting ourselves.

May you understand the power of cultivating peace in your gardens.
1. You'll know that you are cultivating peace when...

You feel guided to take your focus off the external world.
Cultivators know that we are, at all moments, creating our future.
Some of us are doing this creating 'deliberately' while others, by
getting caught up in the swirl of events that surround us, are doing
this creation 'by default'. Which do you choose: to create
deliberately or by default?

2. You'll know that you are cultivating peace when...

In relationships with others, you strive to bring the focus to areas
of harmony and agreement instead of conflict and discord. Appreciate
that what we resist, persists and, therefore, make thoughtful
determinations of where attention should be placed. Which
relationships in your life could benefit from a short time spent
focusing on areas of agreement?

3. You'll know that you are cultivating peace when...

You let go of the idea that you can only feel peaceful when
everything around you is going a certain way and, instead, recognize
that you have the power within you to choose to experience peace. Who
(or what) have you allowed to destroy your sense of peace - and how
can you reclaim it?

4. You'll know that you are cultivating peace when...

You notice that, when someone 'pushes your buttons', instead of
expending your energy trying to get the other person to change, you
search inside yourself and ask, 'what happened inside me that led me
to react that way to you?' Whenever we feel a painful emotion
(anger, resentment, jealousy, fear, depression, desire for vengeance,
grief) this simply means that someone has activated one of our wounds
and a powerful opportunity for healing lies right in front of us.
The next time you find that your 'buttons' have been pushed, where
will you focus your attention -- inward or outward?
5. You'll know that you are cultivating peace when...

You find yourself put off by anti-war demonstrations and the notion
of judging and condemning the players in a dispute. Understand that
we cannot be engaged in a battle and be a source for peace at the
same time. Where are you investing your energy -- in a battle against
war or in a commitment to peace?

6. You'll know that you are cultivating peace when...

You find yourself focusing on what you are not wanting instead of
what you are wanting. Cultivators recognize that what we focus on
expands and they give careful thought as to what they want to have
expand in their lives. What in the world would you like to see expand?
7. You'll know that you are cultivating peace when...

Instead of praying for an outside force to bring peace to others, you
commit to being one who radiates peace from within. Are you ready to
become a source of Peace?

Have a beautiful day.

Peace and Love, Jim