In life, there is often a rush to live and try as much as possible to accomplish our dreams. But then what? Being ambitious is commendable but what good is it when one doesn’t even stop to notice and appreciate what is happening? It is this fast paced life that often leads to stress and exhaustion. But it doesn’t always have to be this way; one can always choose to pursue life goals but also make time for what’s important to them. It’s possible to choose peace and calm over the sometimes unnecessary craziness of everyday life. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. I don’t know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but at the very least, it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness, Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama, contemplates. Most of us crave a life filled with happiness and inner peace, but how does one achieve this? According to William Kalema, an accountant, often times, people get lost in work and trying to make a living that they forget about life in general. Trying to do too much at once can easily push us to living for the wrong priorities. Most times, this is not a deliberate choice but the busy world today tends to programme us into living life this way, he says. He, however, shares that one of the best ways of achieving peace and happiness is to reduce worrying about the future. “As hard as this can be, it’s the logical thing to do. We can do nothing or little about what the future can bring. But also, worrying less about the future enables us to focus on today and what it is we can do to make the best of it. In the process, you allow yourself to be attentive on the things you can control,” he says. Kalema also mentions the idea of trying to control everything, this, he says, is one of the things that rob people of their peace of mind. Counsellor Shadia Nansasi is of the view that for anyone yearning a peaceful life, it’s important to always choose kindness. Choose to love and be kind to others, no matter how hard this can be at times. This is also known to enable one to cope and overcome overwhelming situations; an act of love and kindness can bring light in your life, enabling you to pay less attention to your troubles, she says. “Be kind to people, even those you don’t know. This also comes with the need to forgive. We are going to hurt others and they will hurt us too, that is life. But in order to choose peace over all that heartache, be willing to forgive others and yourself too,” the counsellor says. Charlene Ignites writes on Lifehack highlighting that in today’s world, true peace must come from within us and our own actions. Holding a grudge is hurting you exponentially more than anyone else. Let it go. Focus your energy and attention on what you want; thoughts, words, and actions all create energy. Energy attracts like energy. Put out what you want to get back. She notes that it’s also important to be yourself. Nothing creates more inner discord than trying to be something other than who we really are. Authenticity breeds happiness. Check your expectations Presumption often leads to drama. Remember the old saying, “Expectations are premeditated resentments.” Ignites points out the need to stop criticising yourself. The world is a hard enough place with more than enough critics. Your life is not served well by being one of them, she notes. She also highlights the need to stop worrying about the future, “As difficult as this sounds, there is a direct connection between staying in the present and living a more peaceful life. You cannot control the future. As the old proverb goes, ‘Worry is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere.’ Practice gently bringing your thoughts back to the present.”
