Tiny Wisdom: On Living in Peace

“He who lives in harmony with himself lives in harmony with the world.” -Marcus Aurelius

Yesterday I read an article that described how several hundred people got together to kick off the summer season by practicing yoga in the middle of Times Square. I felt a bit nostalgic in reading this because I did the very same thing exactly five years ago.

We were all crammed together, mat to mat, raised 10 feet off the ground. It’s a surreal feeling to ease into downward dog within such a chaotic, electric, commercial environment. It’s the ultimate challenge in centering yourself–with thousands of people maintaining a frantic pace around you, buying things, rushing toward things, and staring peripherally at the spectacle of your stillness.

But isn’t that kind of the challenge we face every day? On most days, we all bob and weave our way through all kinds of chaotic situations. There are problems to solve. And confrontations to avoid. And confusions to clear up. And relationships to mend.

Just when you think you’ve found your center, you find one more fire that needs to be put out. It’s implicit in the definition of balance that you could potentially fall–which means there is never a better opportunity to practice peace than when your external environment could compromise it.

Today if things get overwhelming, take a deep breath and remind yourself: Your circumstances are temporary, but your peace can endure if you focus on what’s going on within you, instead of stressing about what’s going on around you.

Photo by benswing

About Lori Deschene

Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.