Election Peace Challenge Day 8

One of the biggest challenges of this election cycle is the seeming divisiveness of people’s opinions and how they may bombard you. If you walk into a room and don't know where the conversation will go, or whether people are on your “side,” you may feel constant stress or unease in being around others. 

So here’s something you can do in thirty seconds that will shift your perspective to peace instead.

Turn inside out. Trust me, it’s way easier than it sounds. 

Most of the time, without even knowing it, we’re like shock absorbers for other people’s opinions, decisions, and behaviors. We take in negativity and disagreements, which lodge within us as stress, fear, and unease. Maybe even dis-ease.

But when you turn inside out, you can go anywhere and be at peace. 

Just take thirty seconds to imagine peace flowing into the top of your head, flowing all the way through your body, through your feet and into the ground, and through your fingertips and out into the world. 

Now imagine this peace is like a hose that’s on full blast. It’s filling you up and flowing out of you, and when other people’s complaints or opinions come at you, they can't touch you. 

You’ve just reversed the flow of energy in your world.

Instead of trying to fend off or deal with the negativity or fear coming at you, you’re spreading the peace that you are.

It takes some practice, but give it a try. Every time you’re about to leave the house, walk into a room, pick up the phone, or open the door, take thirty seconds to turn on your peace flow first. It’s amazing how different—and powerful—your words and actions can be when they’re fueled by peace instead of fear. 

Now take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay.

---

A NOTE TO MY READERS: I write this column as a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. You can subscribe for free. However, if you enjoy my work, please consider showing your support by becoming a paid subscriber at whatever level feels right for you. The Iowa Writers Collaborative is made up of some of the foremost regional journalists in the country. Each writer is independent and has a Substack of their own. Thank you!

Linking readers and professional writers who care about Iowa and the world.