I guess it's true what they say about getting older and becoming wiser. This year i realized the importance of protecting and maintaining my peace. I decided that my peace is non-negotiable, and if you threaten that, no matter who you are, a shift will have to take place. Period!
Growing up as a Christian, I was constantly taught to forgive, and most times that was as far as it went. Just forgive them, turn the other cheek and then (hope to) forget. Now that i'm older, though, I learned that when someone constantly threatens my tranquility, I should forgive them, yes, but it doesn't stop there. I can forgive them, and then I can let them go.
Honestly...I grew up thinking cutting people out of your life is an ungodly thing to do. That it has something to do with holding a grudge or keeping malice. But recently, I learned that removing people fro your space is one of the wisest things you can do (when done right) to protect your peace. Why should you be around something or someone that continues to come up against you? (Spoiler Alert: You Shouldn't!) Let's get into what else I learned.
Listen to Something Peaceful
What have you been listening to? Studies have shown that the music you listen to has a great effect on your mood. If you want to maintain your peace listen to something that encourages that. Music can improve mood, self-esteem and overall quality of life. Listening to something peaceful is a great way to both protect and maintain peace. For me, The Blessing by Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes, I Am by James Fortune or some cool Jazz :)
Create a Safe Space
As a teacher part of my job is to implement "cozy corners" in each classroom for children who needed help regulating their emotions. Students will go there when feeling mad or sad and use calming techniques until they felt better.
Create a space like this wherever you are that will keep you calm when your peace is threatened. Having a space to go to where you can rest and reset is a great way to maintain your peace.
Pray
Sometimes it's as simple as praying about it, dear. I think a big way some of you miss out is that you talk to God like He is some distant judge who doesn't care much about you. That couldn't be further from the truth. He loves you! He loves you so much that He literally breathed life into you today. He loves you so much that He knows how many strands of hair is on your head! Like...that's a different kind of love.
When you want to protect your peace you have to bring all your worries, your cares, and your fears to your Heavenly Father who longs for you. He is waiting for you to bring Him your baggage, and your despair so that He can come through for you in a crazy big way.
Read the Bible
There are multiple Bible verses about peace. Here are some of my favorites:
John 16:33, John 14;27, Colossians 3:15 , 1 Peter 5:7
There are s many more!
Set Boundaries With Others
This not always easy, I know. Whether you live with the person who causes you turmoil, or they re part of your family, it might be virtually impossible to completely let them go but that's where setting clear boundaries come into play.
Simply tell the person what they can and cannot request of you. Learn to say No without feeling so (i'm currently on this journey) I know a lot of us didn't grow up with boundaries but they are a thing and they can be used by you!
With everything going on in the world you NEED your peace of mind. You can't lose it now! Think of other things you can do and also soothing songs you can listen to maintain your peace and let's talk about it in the comments.
Keep growing & glowing
Ify
These are the exact words I need right now. Thank you so much for this Ify.
ReplyDeleteThank you darling! I'm glad I could be of help :)
DeleteThank you. This is exactly what I needed. XOXO
ReplyDeleteThank you dear :)
DeleteExplicitly true. Thank you
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteFor some of us that are so gullible, we kept believing by keeping toxic people in our lives, they will change just cause we treat them right each time they treat us wrong, yes we need to forgive and let go for our own peace of mind, but we also need to physically space ourselves from toxic people while we don't hold grudges against them. Prayer and music work like you said, the peace of mind that surpasses all understanding becomes ours when we talk to Jehovah God. Thanks for the timely piece!
ReplyDeleteYes! forgiveness is key, but we need to physically space ourselves from toxic people. Thank you so much Ma :)
DeleteThis so apt Ify. Thanks I love the "Cozy Corners" it's shouldn't be only in the classroom. I have just learnt from you that it's so needed in life. It helps us to keep our Peace and Sanity in tact. I think it will help in keeping the peace between couples and families at large. Thanks once again...
ReplyDeleteYes it shouldn't only be in the classroom. Thank you dear :)
DeleteThanks for this words. Peace of mind is priceless
ReplyDeleteOh Yes sis it is. Thank you :)
DeleteImpressive...great piece, thanks for sharing such an important/educative info
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading dear :)
DeleteWell said, Purging is actually a very important part of life....We must find a way to purge physically, spiritually, financially, mentally, emotionally and socially. Forgiveness is very key for one to have peace of mind.
ReplyDeleteYes, Forgiveness is Key! Thank you for reading Ma :)
DeleteNice one Ifa🙂... I think I learnt this earlier on about "social distancing" from toxic people. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes dear! Negativity drains:) Thank you for reading :)
DeleteThis so Amazing, I really got this in me to let go of things that border's me.. But I think peace is required now.
ReplyDeleteThanks ify for this piece...
Please do! Nothing is worth your peace :)
DeleteThank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading :)
DeleteConfidence isn't they will like me NO!confidence is I 2ILL BE FINE IF THEY DON'T. Again you cannot keep SOMETHING on NOTHING and expect it to stand. Be careful what you call something many a time,they are usually nothing. Do you remember why people detoxify...? And the dangers of not detoxifying or toxic...?
ReplyDeleteLove yourself abeg.
MOST OF ALL LET THE HOLY SPIRIT GUIDE YOU, AND US ALL.
I totally agree with you Uche :) Thank you for reading
DeleteWell said....some inspiration there in
ReplyDeleteThank you dear :)
DeleteVery nice piece Ify.....when we put it in mind that a person who strikes out to hurt other people is someone who is likely in deep emotional pain it will also help. Very often people strike out when in pain. Sometimes, they put people down in order to feel superior to them. This does not make their behavior Okay. But, having that understanding helps us to have compassion and to not take what they say or do personally. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering. Instead you take a step back, away from their venom
ReplyDeleteTrue! Thank you for reading :)
DeleteThere's nothing like having peace of mind. You just need to let go of toxic people that keep hurting you just because they know you forgive them easily. Thanks Miss Ify
ReplyDeleteYour Peace of mind is key darling.Thank you for reading :)
ReplyDeleteThis has addressed one of the negative possibilities of social interactions.
ReplyDeleteYour voice is getting solid and we are proud of you ma
Thank you Gbenga :)
DeleteA well written and instructive piece. Well done Miss Ify!
ReplyDeleteVery nice piece miss Ify. I've learnt long ago not to compromise my peace of mind for anything or anyone. Listening to music and prayer has been of great help to me when I need to clear my head I also give myself a lot of me time.
ReplyDeleteMusic and Prayer helps alot. Thank you Ma :)
ReplyDeleteA well written and educative piece. I wish I had come across this few years back. I once forgave a friend and let back into my life because I considered her family. Unfortunately, she came back to do more damage. I learnt in a hard way to forgive BUT let go. Good job Miss Ify��
ReplyDeleteSometime ago I told my husband sometin 'I think I have a problem, wheneva I cut people off (obviously for good reasons) sometin switches off that makes everything I feel about the person mute'
ReplyDeleteNow reading this I feel a lot better
Peace of mind is something no one should ever compromise cos that word 'peace' holds a key to people's psyche
Great write up miss ify 😊
Thank you so much for this!
DeleteWow. I love this piece... It's really helpful. Well done sis
ReplyDeleteThank you darling
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