Peace does not mean we will never find ourselves in a place without agitation, problems, or stress. It means being in the midst of these things, and choosing to be calm, creative, and optimistic, as we face whatever obstacles life presents. Peace takes practice. Peace is a daily process gradually changing the mind, slowly overcoming the ego’s negativity, quietly pointing us in a new direction.

There will be the inevitable setbacks when fearful thinking activates negative emotions. The old imagined threats will raise their heads again, sending mind and body into an uproar and triggering the old, unfortunate behaviors.  Take heart. If we make mistakes, we can forgive ourselves and choose once again the experience we want.  Ralph Waldo Emerson counseled:

Finish each day and be done with it.

You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

This day is all that is good and fair. It is too dear with its hopes and invitations to waste a moment on yesterdays.