Choosing Peace and Hope in Uncertain Times

When I wrote this message about choosing peace last year, it was just before the election.
I was full of hope for the possibility of a woman president, for a future shaped by compassion and wisdom, for turning away from the darkness of division.

Well, here we are, in a field of chaos, disruption, and uncertainty.
In a time when the word war is being used not only for conflicts overseas, but for what’s happening within our own nation, against our own people.
It’s painful to witness. And yet, in the middle of all this, I feel that same small, steady flame of hope I felt then.

Because this isn’t the first time we've found ourselves in turmoil.

I remember the 60s. I was a hippy (in my heart, I still am).
I wore bell-bottoms, protested the Vietnam War, and believed love could change the world. My parents had emigrated here for freedom and opportunity, and I carried that dream. Even when the world seemed to be falling apart with war, assassinations, and cities burning, I was proud to be on the side of peace, love, and understanding.

Somehow, we made it through. And we will again.

Even in this moment of upheaval, there is more awareness, more diversity, more awakening than ever before. The veil is thin, and our collective ethics have been exposed in an extraordinary way. Who we truly are, what we value, what we stand for, is shining through, sometimes painfully, sometimes beautifully.

This is the field in which the seeds of the future are being planted.
What grows next depends on what we water—with our attention, our words, and our hearts.

So keep choosing peace. Keep creating joy where you can. Keep believing that your small light matters - because it does.

As Nick Lowe asked all those years ago:
What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love, and understanding?

Here’s a 3-minute, tiny but mighty practice to help you connect with your light:

Step outdoors. Take a deep, conscious breath. Feel the air filling your lungs. Listen for the wind, birds (or traffic), and sense the air on your skin.
Let it all bring you into this moment. Drop your burdens to the ground, just for a moment, and simply be. 

Let your heart soften and sense into your inner peace and light. It may seem small at first, but with practice, you’ll notice how strong your light truly is.
Those moments of peace, shared with the Earth, can ripple farther than you think.

Nurturing Hope in Uncertain Times

Uncertainty can be overwhelming, but it's also an opportunity to cultivate hope and positivity. It may seem counterintuitive that you can find hope during the most tumultuous times, but I see it everywhere.

Hope is a state of mind, a mindset. The more you nurture it, the brighter it becomes within you. Once hope is shining bright within you, that’s when it’s your turn to shine that light to create a little spark of hope for others.

Here are some practical ways to nurture hope in the midst of chaos:

Focus on the Present

The only thing we can control currently is the present. The past is already finished, and we don’t know what the future holds. If you struggle to focus on the present, try these simple tools.

• Mindfulness: Practice mindfulness techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation, to ground yourself in the present moment. Sometimes you need to force yourself to be in the present moment. The more you practice, the more intuitive this becomes.

• Gratitude: Reflect on the things you're grateful for, no matter how small they may seem. You cannot change the past, so in order to be present in the moment, you need to find ways to be grateful for things that have happened or what you have right now.

Connect with Others

If you find like-minded people, hope seems to just naturally increase. You can feed off of each other's energy (in a good way) and start spreading that to others around you.

• Community: Reach out to friends, family, or join a community group to build connections and a sense of belonging. Find communities that are positive and hold the same values that you do. You’ll have an easier time fitting in and finding belonging.

• Support: Offer support to others, whether it's a listening ear or a helping hand. The more you increase your hope and shine your light, the more hope you spread to others. You never know who might need your little light and your energy at that moment.

Cultivate Positivity

In times of turmoil, positive thoughts and positive energy are essential. This keeps people's motivation and hope up. The moment people lose hope is the moment when they give up the fight.

• Positive self-talk: Start with yourself. Practice positive affirmations to shift your mindset and build resilience. Get yourself set and strong before you can help others.

• Joyful activities: Engage in activities that bring you joy and make you feel alive. Bonus points if this occurs within your supportive community.

Find Meaning and Purpose

Never stop seeking meaning and purpose in your life. You can shine your light on the world when you are following your passion and your life purpose. 

• Values-based actions: Align your actions with your values and passions. Every action you take, do a small check-in before you take it. Does it bring you joy and support others? Is it impactful? Does it align with your values and mission? A lot of people take action that ends up doing more harm than good. Always think for a second longer before taking action. If it’s going to hurt someone else, it might be a sign not to do it.

• Personal growth: Invest in personal growth and development, whether through learning or self-reflection. Personal growth and learning are always positive things. The more you invest in your own well-being, the stronger your light will be, and the more hope you can shine onto others.

By incorporating these practices into your daily life, you can cultivate hope and positivity, even in the midst of uncertainty.

You don’t have to change the entire world. Don’t put that kind of pressure on yourself. But if you can make a difference even to one person, that is more than enough. Even if that one person is you.

A Call to Action: Choosing Peace

In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, choosing peace may seem like a radical act. But it's a choice that can have a profound impact on ourselves and those around us.

It doesn’t always have to involve big grand gestures. You can choose peace within yourself and your actions, you can choose peace within your family or your community. Peace can be a state of mind.

The Power of Individual Actions

Even small actions can have big impacts, even if that impact is only in one person's life. You never know what impact you will have on someone.

• Ripple effect: Your actions have a ripple effect and can inspire others to choose peace. If someone sees you doing something, it might show them that there is another option. Your energy might allow them to make another choice. Their choice then can impact someone else, and so on. 

• Personal responsibility: Take ownership of your choices and actions, and strive to make a positive impact. It’s not always easy to take ownership of your choices. Not every choice we make ends up having a good result. But own up to your mistakes and figure out a different action to take next time.

Choosing Peace in Daily Life

The world is suffering right now, but it doesn’t mean you have to choose to suffer in your daily life. You deserve to experience peace. Choose and cultivate peace in your daily life, so you are more able to shine your light onto the world.

• Mindful communication: Practice active listening and compassionate communication. Before you jump to conclusions, allow others to fully express themselves. If you take an extra moment to listen, you might find you have a stronger and more mindful response. 

• Empathy and understanding: Seek to understand different perspectives and cultivate empathy. When you create a safe space for others, it’s amazing what you can learn about them and even yourself. Come from a place of love and empathy.

Shaping the Future

We cannot change the past, but what we do right now can have either a positive or negative impact on the future. What future do we want to see?

• Collective impact: Recognize that individual actions collectively shape the future. What you do can have impacts on the collective community. You can either inspire fear in large groups of people or inspire hope. Hope is what drives people to take action. Fear is what makes people give up.

• Hope and resilience: Cultivate hope and resilience, and inspire others to do the same. Lead from this place. It’s amazing what can happen.

By choosing peace, we can create a more compassionate and harmonious world. What will you choose today?

Reflection Questions

1. What are some ways you currently nurture hope and positivity in your life, and how can you build on these practices?

2. How do your individual actions and choices impact those around you, and what positive changes can you make to promote peace and understanding?

3. What does choosing peace mean to you, and how can you incorporate this value into your daily life and interactions with others?