Finding Peace: A Journey of Self-Discovery and Healing

With all the chaos in the human world right now, sometimes I’m astounded by the peaceful moments in my life. 

As I write this, I’m snuggled under warm blankets with a golden, muffin-like pup resting his head on my lap. (He is named after a Beignet, after all!)

But peace is more than comfort.

Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone to create it. You may need to find new solutions that didn’t exist before.

I grew up in a family marked by daily violence, most often at my father’s hand. I was his most frequent target. Eventually, I took my parents to court to be removed from my home because I couldn’t bear it anymore.

It was painful, and I know it hurt everyone in my family. It was a hard-won peace for someone so young.

I believe that experience shaped me. Somewhere deep in my bones, I know peace is not free. It takes work, and it can be terribly uncomfortable. And it rests on something stronger than violence: the knowing that peace is the ultimate truth.

I wish I could say my life was easy after that, but of course it wasn’t. I continued to find violence and drama because that was the framework I had been given.

So, I dedicated myself to becoming a healer—because I knew I was broken and needed to heal myself first.

This month, I’m celebrating 41 years as a massage therapist. Some might call that luck, but I know it’s the fruit of perseverance, too.

There were so many therapy choices: nursing, chiropractic, psychiatry, psychology, etc. I took a career awareness class at our local community college (NVCC, y’all!). That took me on a journey of a couple of years, interviewing people about their work and the pros and cons. 

I settled on being a chiropractor, but along the way to chiropractic college, I met some massage therapists. One day, it dawned on me that I should sign up for MT training.  As soon as I did, I knew I was on the right track. 

Those choices brought me peace. Friends say I have perseverance and that I’m always reinventing myself. Honestly, I don’t know any other way. I simply keep following my heart on its journey home to peace.

And I imagine you do, too. It’s that sense of knowing when you’re on the right track—and recognizing it only because you’ve also felt what it’s like to be off course.

Here’s a 3-minute, tiny but mighty practice to follow your heart to your place of inner peace:

🌿 Step outside and take a moment to relax and settle. Breathe deeply and notice Nature around you: trees, sky, ground, creatures.

🌿 Notice that none of Nature worries—it simply responds. Where does that momentum arise from? Tune into this deep knowing, and recognize that it lives in you, too.

🌿 Let yourself follow the sensation into your heart of hearts. Listen quietly and patiently. There may be no words—just a sense of essence. Breathe into it, and give it more space within you.

It’s that simple: cultivating your peaceful center. Peace isn’t always easy, but when you follow your heart of hearts, you’ll find the next right step forward. And that is priceless.

Finding Peace Through Self-Discovery and Healing

Finding peace is a journey of self-discovery and healing. We all need healing; it just looks different for everyone. By exploring your thoughts, emotions, and experiences, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. 

This process of self-discovery can lead to healing and transformation, allowing us to find a sense of peace and well-being that is not dependent on external circumstances. Our journey to becoming a healer always starts with us; our own healing journey. 

The Connection Between Peace and Self-Discovery

Peace is not just the absence of conflict or stress; it is a state of being that arises from a deep sense of inner calm and well-being. It’s not just about being comfortable; in fact, we need to step out of our comfort zone in order to feel true peace.

When we embark on a journey of self-discovery, we begin to understand ourselves on a deeper level, including our values, passions, and purpose. This understanding can lead to a sense of peace and fulfillment that is not easily shaken by external events.

The Role of Healing in Finding Peace

Healing is an essential part of finding peace. When we experience trauma, stress, or other forms of adversity, it can leave emotional and psychological scars. If we don’t seek our own healing, we cannot feel or experience true peace. By seeking out healing modalities such as therapy, meditation, or creative expression, we can begin to process our experiences and find a sense of peace and closure.

Your healing journey is your journey to finding peace. While we never reach perfection (for either healing or peace), it is important to remember that healing is the first step toward experiencing peace. Everyone has something they need to heal from, even those with seemingly perfect lives. There is no perfect life, so there is always something to heal.

By combining self-discovery and healing, you can find a profound sense of peace that is rooted in a deep understanding of yourself and the world around you. This peace is not something that can be taken away; it is a fundamental aspect of who you are.

The Power of Resilience: How Adversity Can Shape Our Path to Peace

Resilience is the ability to withstand and bounce back from adversity, and it plays a crucial role in finding peace. Those who struggle with resilience will not be able to easily experience peace. There will always be something blocking the path.

When faced with challenges and difficulties, resilient people are able to draw upon their inner strength and resources to navigate the situation and emerge stronger and more whole.

Do you consider yourself resilient?

The Role of Resilience in Overcoming Adversity

Resilience is not about avoiding adversity, but about being able to face it head-on and find ways to overcome it. We all experience adversity at some point. Those who experience less adversity (or none) may not have the resilience they need to effectively navigate it. Unfortunately, the main way to develop resilience is through practice.

By developing resilience, you can build your capacity to cope with stress, trauma, and other forms of adversity, and find a sense of peace and well-being in the process.

Inspiring Stories of Resilience

There are many inspiring stories of individuals who have faced significant adversity and gone on to find peace and healing. These stories demonstrate the power of resilience and the human spirit, and offer hope and inspiration to others who may be facing similar challenges.

• Malala Yousafzai: Malala is a Pakistani activist for female education who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban. Despite the trauma she experienced, Malala continued to advocate for girls' education and became the youngest Nobel Prize laureate in 2014.

• Oprah Winfrey: Oprah Winfrey is a renowned media executive, actress, talk show host, and philanthropist who experienced a tumultuous childhood marked by poverty and abuse. Despite these challenges, Oprah persevered and went on to become one of the most influential women in the world, using her platform to inspire and uplift others.

• Bethany Hamilton: Bethany Hamilton is a professional surfer who survived a shark attack at the age of 13, losing her arm in the incident. Despite this traumatic experience, Bethany continued to pursue her passion for surfing and went on to become a world-class athlete, inspiring countless others with her courage and determination.

Reflection Questions

1. What are some significant challenges or adversities that I have faced in my life, and how have I used resilience to overcome them?

2. In what ways can I cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness and self-discovery in my own life, and how might this contribute to my overall sense of peace and well-being?

3. What are some steps I can take to prioritize my own healing and well-being, and how might this impact my relationships with others and the world around me?