“Choose your peace.” A friend said that to me in a conversation about life and all its happenings the other day. It stuck on me that one should pick your battles wisely, and choose to walk away from anything that hinders your peace.
She was talking about how we let ourselves stress over the actions or inaction of others, especially loved ones, and easily let it get the best of us. Sometimes, even when it’s hard to, you have to walk away, and choose yourself, and your own peace of mind. We can’t control other people’s actions, but we can always choose how we respond to it.
We can’t force others to see things our way. However, it’s our choice whether we further invest our emotions into the matter or walk away. Offence can’t be given; it can only be taken.
From personal experience, I know how much energy it takes to get all riled up and in your feelings at every drop. We are all guilty of letting things bother us, ruminating over moments which end up unnecessarily spoiling our day. According to medical experts, all that stress can play a part in problems such as headaches, high blood pressure, heart problems, diabetes, and lead to emotional problems such as depression, panic attacks or other forms of anxiety.
Meanwhile, when you choose to let certain things go, you free yourself from all the aforementioned stressors.
There’s only so much we can control in life, so why invest any energy into things we’re unable to change, especially if it’s detrimental to your health?!
You have to ask yourself at the end of the day, is it really then worth it to emotionally invest all that energy into the issue at the expense of your own wellbeing?
Of course not! We need to do better by ourselves and do what’s best for us. We should put ourselves first even when it seems your choice might hurt another. If you are unhappy and stressed or depressed, you’re no good to anyone.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. I am not saying become care-free about every difficult situation in life; but to let go of certain things. Letting go sometimes means accepting something for what it is, and moving forward in a healthier direction. See this as self-care; placing your needs and your wellbeing first. It is not walking away from reality, but being selective about what we give our time and energy to.
Things will eventually play out as they should, life always does. And “the teacher will appear when the learner is ready”.
Even if things don’t transpire how you’d want them to, there’s always something to take away from every experience or interaction in life. Whatever it is you go through, always remember peace is a choice!
* Paula Christoph’s column concentrates on positive and inspirational write-ups.