You Control Your Own Peace

“If you are depressed you are living in the past.

If you are anxious you are living in the future.

If you are at peace you are living in the present.”

~ Lao Tsu I just heard someone mention this quote the other day. There definitely is some truth to that statement. However, upon reflection I feel like I disagree somewhat. Let's break this down into sections. "If you are depressed, you are living in the past." Well, that all depends. What precisely in the past are you focusing on and why? What is your motivation for focusing on the past? If you are thinking about regrets, missed opportunities, failures, things that you have lost, people that you have lost, or not being able to do things today that you could yesterday then yes, I would agree with that statement. However, there is another side to this. You can CHOOSE to look at the past a different way. You can remember good times that you have had with people or things that you no longer have. You can remember goals that you set, and have accomplished. You can remember personal triumphs or even public ones. You can think about how far you have come in your life in various endeavors. Most of all, you can be GRATEFUL for all of those things. There is nothing "depressing" about any of that. In fact, it can be energizing for the present. If things aren't exactly hitting on all cylinders at the moment, you can reflect on a time when they were and have proof that it can happen again.

"If you are anxious you are living in the future." Again, it all depends on what you are focusing on, why you are focusing on that particular thing, and what you hope to accomplish doing so. If you are focusing on the uncertainty of ANY situation whether it be financial issues, personal relationships, your health, world events, your job or career, your family, your friends, anything in general that is BEYOND your control then yes, I would agree with that statement. However, if you can understand that you cannot control what you cannot control, that goes a long way to diffusing anxiety. You can only control what YOU can control. You aren't meant to control anything else but that. Anger, fear, jealously, and other negative emotions are born out of your perception of the LOSS of control, and that is like rocket fuel for anxiety. The less you feel like you are in control, the more potent and dangerous anxiety gets. It's similar to what happened to Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars saga. The whole reason why Darth Vader exists, is because Anakin Skywalker let his anxiety of losing control of the situations around him deteriorate into madness. As Yoda said... "Fear is a path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering." This is true for MANY people these days, tragically. Yoda, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi all warned Anakin of this, but he didn't listen and we saw what happened. Instead of focusing on the things we can't control, freedom comes when we focus on the things that we CAN control and let He who has ALL control take care of the things we can't. This is the benefit of having a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When you know who you are and WHOSE you are, it makes things very simple. You may not know what your future holds, but you know Who holds your future. You don't have to worry about ANYTHING quite frankly. Not that worrying would accomplish anything anyway. It never does. It is empowering to take action in your life. The journey often reaps it's own rewards. Putting everything in God's hands that seems to big for you to handle is one of the most liberating things that you can do. It feels like a million tons are lifted off of your chest and it frees your ambition to do whatever it is you want to do, because you know that no matter what happens, you are gonna be alright. You feel like there isn't anything thing that you can't do (Phillippians 4:13,) and thus that makes you excited for the future! "If you are at peace you are living in the present.” This part I 100% agree with. When you are focused on what you are doing, you are indeed at peace. Whatever is that you love to do, or do well, or what you feel you were called to do, there is no greater peace when you are doing that. Or, when you CHOOSE to live in the moment and maximize any and every opportunity that presents itself. Never taking anything for granted. Enjoying each situation to it's fullest.

There is so much beauty and wonder in this world. In nature alone there is enough for personal discovery and fulfillment. Just going outside, breathing fresh air, and being around nature. Looking at the designs of plants, flowers, animals, terrain, etc. Listening to the sounds of nature. All the different types of bird calls in whatever region you live in. Looking at the beautiful patterns and design on birds. This is just one example of HUNDREDS of things that anyone can do everyday to bring them peace. We all have things that we do that is our "happy place." Something that we love to do that is just for us. Something that puts a smile so deep and so hard on your face that it has to be surgically removed. It is SOOOO okay to do that, and most assuredly, necessary. Choosing to have peace in the present, allows you to be grateful for the blessings of the past, and frees you to be hopeful for the future!