I’ve been struggling due to health issues over the last several months. Actually, it’s been a rough year so far. I’m spending most of my days managing chronic illness, and honestly, I’m angry and anxious about it all. I feel like I’m drowning, trying to manage one problem after another, trying to keep my head above water, so to speak.

It’s difficult to feel in control when your body betrays you time and time again. My mind reels with all the things that can go wrong. It’s almost paralyzing to worry about what will happen next. Feeling overwhelmed and anxious seems to leave me less tolerant of others. Whether it’s simply sounds or smells or people’s behavior, I’m irritated easily. I remind myself of this Dalai Lama quote: “Do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.”

While trying to gain some control over my health issues, I’ve needed to look inside for inner peace. Obviously, spirituality influences our ability to be resilient, which is my usual coping method: faith and prayer. Believing usually provides hope, peace, and comfort in my day-to-day life, however, lately, I feel like my prayers are going unanswered, and it’s just not enough since the chaos is never-ending.

Feeling the need to gain control, I’ve searched for wisdom from experts and spoken to my doctors. Doctors offer a “keep your chin up” attitude or a prescription like anti-anxiety medication, anti-depressants, or “happy pills” while friends and family remind me I’m “doing OK, and you know, it could be worse.” Unsatisfied with those options, I’ve turned inward, seeking a more philosophical approach by focusing on myself and trying to create peace from within. After much research, I’ve compiled some quotes to help keep me focused.

Here is a list of my favorite inspirational quotes.  As reminders, I have them on Post-it notes throughout my home, on bathroom mirrors, kitchen cabinets, and various doors. I hope you find them helpful.

“Nobody can bring you peace but yourself.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.” ~ Eleanor Roosevelt

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

“Inner peace begins the moment you choose not to allow another person or event to control your emotions.” ~ Pema Chodron

“Look at a tree, a flower, a plant. Let your awareness rest upon it. How still they are, how deeply rooted in being. Allow nature to teach you stillness.” ~ Eckhart Tolle

“If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present.” ~ Lao Tzu

“Peace is always beautiful.” ~ Walt Whitman

“A single gentle rain makes the grass many shades greener. So our prospects brighten on the influx of better thoughts. We should be blessed if we lived in the present always and took advantage of every accident that befell us.” ~ Henry David Thoreau

“Where there is charity and wisdom there is neither fear nor ignorance. Where there is patience and humility there is neither anger nor worry.” ~ Francis of Assisi

“Oh Great Spirit, help me always to speak the truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak, and to remember the peace that may be found in silence.” ~ Cherokee Prayer

Now, I understand that finding peace and tranquility will be an ongoing effort on this journey called life. While we may not have control over everything that comes our way, we do have control over how we feel, think, and act.  By focusing on what is in our control, rather than what is not, and by becoming aware of our feelings, thoughts, and actions, we can feel more at peace with our lives and become open to new possibilities. In the meantime, it’s important to find the beauty in everyday life and enjoy every day above ground.  Acceptance is part of finding peace. I’ve accepted that I’m not the same as everyone else and I do not control much of anything.

Find peace wherever you can. I find peace in nature. I always seek nature to find stillness and calm. For me, there is a place so quiet and peaceful that brings solace to my soul: water, like the lake or ocean. I meditate, pray, and connect with nature.

Find the things that bring you peace. Allow yourself time to relax, meditate, or pray, whatever brings you peace. Seek help when necessary, whether it’s from a friend or coworker or a professional counselor to talk to and deal with problems and situations as they arise. I pray that the next month brings peace, healing, and happiness while hoping that the best is yet to come.

I wish you peace. ☮️