The purpose of discussing peace is to help us realize that we all have access to it in our lives in each moment. Some moments are more challenging than others, but we can all find comfort in knowing that everyone experiences that. So when things get rough and you start to feel that peace is out of reach, know that you are not alone. We all have a choice to feel peace in the moment and that can be empowering.

Rather than resisting the challenge of finding peace, we can choose to embrace it and allow ourselves to be vulnerable in our pursuit of peace. Then perhaps we can see that dissolving the preconceptions of perfection that we believe are the requirements of peace is the actual path itself. That may not happen the first, second or even 10th time we try it, but practice is what will help us get there and ultimately, practice is what makes the master.

Practice + Patience = Peace. Now, don’t get me wrong. When I say “simple equation” I don’t mean that it feels easy to implement this in your daily life off the bat. In the beginning, it may feel difficult and frustrating and maybe even ridiculous, but know that what you are feeling is completely normal. Just like building any new habit, it takes time to find more peace in your moments than stress. But if you want to get there, you have to practice and have patience with yourself through all the ups and downs. Like Saint Francis De Sales said,“Have patience with all things, but first of all, with yourself.”

Being kind to ourselves and living in the moment as authentically as we can, flaws and all, is what leads to real peace. That is peace that no one can take away from us, a peace that can serve as an inspiration to others as well. Being a positive and real example for our future generations will show them it’s okay to be imperfect and vulnerable, and that their power to choose how they live is what will change our world. Those actions we take will be what inspires our kids to do the same and share that with their future generations.