By Jacquelin Recano
Finding self peace is nowhere near easy. You need to find it satisfying. It needs to be consistent. And it needs to keep you moving. To do all this, you must do it for you! Life has its struggles, as we all know. Everyone has their specific habits that either create obstacles, or help one get past them. But, despite this, everyone needs something that can put them in a zone where they have nothing in their head, with time to de-stress. For some people it's food, friends, their phone, school, sports, music and the list can go on; but how do you find it?
I've struggled with finding peace within myself, and honestly I’m always making tweaks. My current ways to recollect have become reading, going to the gym, and going out. But, with my current situation in life, how am I ever supposed to? With the daily stressors of spreading myself thin with: school, 2 sports, church, family life, work, clubs, being the oldest, and chores. Everything is dragging me away from these things that are bringing me peace and this is keeping me from becoming the best me! How am I supposed to be better, grow, and become successful, if there is nothing balancing out my responsibilities and sense of relief?
There's always this longing for change in my daily routine. Currently in 12th grade “ERWC'' at IKE, we had recently learned about Maslow's Hierarchy. This model exemplifies my statements with a broader structure that represents the craving a person feels. The wanting for completeness and peace. This also shows that motivation and satisfaction are basic needs of a human-being. And when there are missing pieces or holes within this structure, you will fall back to old habits: no progression, no success, no entirety.
Self peace is so important for a closer connection with one's self. It gives a sense of understanding and clarity; like having a compass for the paths and goals you are wanting to achieve in life. One way to do this is by taking away negative distractions that make existing: overwhelming, stressful, and unproductive. Doing this will drastically improve one's physical, mental and spiritual well-being. I recently read this book called “Atomic Habits”, by James Clear. One key point he made clear to his audience was how important it is to improve by one percent each day. And if done, the individual who accomplishes this will be 365% better, at the end of the year!
Notice how I never mentioned “happiness” being a factor in “self peace”. Happiness keeps people comfortable, stuck, and honestly, happiness itself, is very unsustainable. Using the amount of pleasure received after each thought or action, as a form of guidance or as a way to track success, is something that needs to be altered if wanting to reach self peace. Times where life isn’t easy, and challenges become struggles creates times where there can be a very big turning point and later a breakthrough. The desire to get out of the brawl between you and yourself, will give you that motivation and push for change. But, when you are just “happy” with where you're at… you're saying you are complete in every aspect of your life. This leaves no room for growth, and gives no motivation for anything better. Just stillness.
Overall, inner peace is reached when staying busy. By practicing things that will continue to better you and your beliefs. Whether that's going to church and praying, eating healthy and staying fit, spending time with family and friends, or taking time to go outside and read. Creating good habits will create a sustainable and fulfilling life. But, when implementing the wrong actions there can be a temporary feeling of satisfaction. With this temporary feeling of enlightenment, this will redirect your path and mislead you to the wrong path and steer you in the wrong direction. When you feel comfortable, make that effort to do something different or continue the positive habits you do have. Even if these habits are achieved by one-percent, one minute, one page, one breath, self growth is inner peace.