“Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” — Albert Einstein.

A good maxim to begin the new year. The world is and always has been in chaos. Disorder and disharmony reign at all times, somewhere in our world. It is the human condition. Try as we might, we creatures, supposedly endowed with reason to think our way through adversity, instead use hard times and harsh words as a springboard to lash out with uncontrolled emotion. Emotion, it seems, is our human vice and virtue. Too often it overcomes rational thought, rational action. It is the catalyst for hate and anger, as well as for love and empathy.

I try to find peace from within and let madness straggle down its own path away from me. No, I’m not sticking my head in the sand. I am acutely aware of what is going on. I am also aware that I am powerless to make it stop, in the worldwide sense. No one has been able to in the millennia of human existence. Many have tried to lead toward peace and were rewarded with more hate and even death. Hateful words only engender more hate. “Holding onto anger is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.” – Buddha. I can only contribute to my little corner of the world with my own actions and words.

Celebrating the joy that comes with every day brings calm. On the darkest days, there is always a little gem, a glimmer of happiness, if you pay attention. Watch for it. “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.” (Proverbs 12:20) The connection between peacemaking and joy is clear; those who work towards peace experience fulfillment and happiness.

It is my prayer every morning. Let me be an instrument of peace. Find my balance. Make at least one person smile and be happy we had an encounter, whether in person, by writing, or by phone. Be grateful for every living spirit, for they all have a place in our world, a reason for being. Remember, forgiveness is the portal to peace. Don’t let petty or ignorant words muddle my day. Be kind, it costs nothing and is a blessing to others and to myself. It is the source of peace.

I don’t always achieve that goal, but it is uppermost in my mind to start my day. Distractions, annoying tech issues, physical discomfort, negative media (when I allow it in), and my own higgledy-piggledy thought processes can derail me from being present and conscious moment by moment. Joy gets lost in the commotion, but it usually resurfaces when I stop to recenter myself. I realize my very good fortune, the love surrounding me, and I’m grateful. I pray and, in my own tiny way, strive to help others find peace and joy in their days.

How do you find fulfillment in your days?

Some inspiring quotes by wise people, the Old Testament, the Quran, and the Bhagavad Gita:

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” – Gautama Buddha.

“If we really want to love, we must learn how to forgive.” —Mother Teresa

“Let us forgive each other – only then will we live in peace.” – Leo Tolstoy.

“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” – Mark Twain

“We seek peace, knowing that peace is the climate of freedom.” – Dwight Eisenhower.

“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi.

“The world is not a mere reflection of our thoughts; it is a reflection of our actions.” – Albert Einstein.

“And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the foolish address them harshly, they respond with peace..” (Quran 25:63) Be a messenger of peace, even in adversity.

“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings…” (Isaiah 52:7)  Be a messenger of peace.

“We must come to see that at the end we seek is a society at peace with itself, a society that can live with its conscience.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“But if you pardon, overlook, and forgive, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran 64:14) Forgiveness is a divine trait and a means to achieve inner and outer peace.

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) Encourage an active pursuit of peace by making conscious choices to foster harmony.

“Delusion arises from anger. The mind is bewildered by delusion. Reasoning is destroyed when the mind is bewildered.”  Bhagavad Gita

“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

“The disunited mind is far from wise; how can it meditate? How can it be at peace? When you know no peace, how can you know joy?”  Bhagavad Gita

Namaste