Inner Peace in a World Full of Woes

This episode of "Large and Small of it All" focuses on how the smallest of things can bring us the largest of joys. 

This is the holiday season, for some it is a chance to see loved ones that they have not seen for a long time.  For others it is a chance to get a well deserved break from work and get a little family time.  For others still, it is the time of year when their business is either make or break.  The only thing they have in common is that the whole reason for this is the birth of Jesus Christ.

This season is a gentle reminder that we all need to be a litter nicer, smile a little more, think of our fellow man a little more.  We like to think of ourselves as compassionate people and this time of year just brings our focus back to that.

I have come to a conclusion that no matter what the world shoves in my direction, as long as I have faith and show love to others, then it will be okay.  I think the birth of Jesus was to remind us that we are too wrapped up in the things of this world and forget who is really in charge.

The key for me is that inner peace comes from faith and a realization that I am not in charge.  The world spends a lot of time telling us that we are all victims.  Victims of our parents, victims of our bosses, victims of our government, victims of our spouses, and finally victims of ourselves.  There are really no victims, only a feeling of helplessness.  That feeling is supposed to be there.  It is supposed to remind us that God is in charge and that as long as we follow Him with faith, then we will be okay.

I guess we all need to find that "inner peace"  and show it to the world.  This season makes it a little easier.  I am asking that we all find a way to make that feeling last all year round.   Easy ways to do that, is random acts of kindness.  Pay for a stranger's coffee every so often. Hold a door for someone.  Smile and offer help when someone is struggling to put their groceries in their car with 4 kids hanging on them.  Put a cart away for someone while putting yours in the cart corral at the local store.  In other words, just try to love everyone just a little bit, even if you know them or not.  If we all do that, then hopefully they will pay it forward. 

The end game would be just a kinder gentler world.  I know that there is much going on that I cannot control, I just need to try and make the space that I live in a little nicer for all those that share it.

Take some time in the next couple of weeks to thank God for what you have and make a conscious effort to pay it forward.