Self Esteem Booster: Stand Up For Peace!

Life is a brief candle for me. It is a sort of splendid torch
which I have got hold of for the moment,
and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.
George Bernard Shaw

Monday 21st September is the International Day of Peace, established by a United Nations resolution in 1981.

To celebrate peace on one day in the year is wonderful. But what about peace in our world as a day to day reality? Is that possible? What would it mean, for you? Do you have all the peace you would like in your life? Or are you stressed, or in conflict about something or another - your job, your family, the state of the economy?

Years ago, I found an acronym for peace: People Enthusiastically Applying Creative Excellence. One of the characteristics I notice in a peaceful person is that they enjoy a healthy self-esteem. They stand tall. People who for whatever reason suffer from low self-esteem often have rounded shoulders, as if their back is curved over to protect their heart, their sensitivity, their tenderness. I have observed this condition in the very wealthy and those with lower incomes; in both men and women.

On this coming Peace Day, I invite you to stand tall in the value and worth that you are as a human being, even for a few moments during the day. Celebrate and esteem yourself. Here are some tips you might enjoy:

1. BREATHE DEEPLY ....

... and inspire yourself! Observe your breath as you take it in slowly, and slowly let it out. Do this a few times. As you breathe in, say the word Peace to yourself. As you breathe out, say Let go. Feel yourself becoming more peace-full.

2. STAND TALL

Physically, relax - allow your shoulders to drop. Imagine being pulled up by a string so that your head is well supported on your spine, and your spine lengthens.

Be aware of your natural balance, being firmly on the ground while reaching high up. Lift above any concerns or issues you might have. Smile, and feel joy growing within you.

3. APPRECIATE YOURSELF

I give you permission! This is not about being big-headed or an ego maniac. This is simply about acknowledging the best of your human qualities, attributes and strengths. You could not be here without them. Your beloved spirit is the sweet sustainer of your life.

4. AFFIRM YOUR GOODNESS

Find one affirmation to keep in mind the goodness that you are. Affirmations are positive I am ... statements, in the present tense that help you to cultivate healthy attitudes.

For example: I am a caring, heartfelt person doing the best I can in all situations.

For those who question the value of affirmations, they do not replace therapy. In certain circumstances they are very effective. You will need to experiment for yourself to find out if they work for you.

5. BE GIVING

On this Peace Day find some small way to give of yourself, something you might not usually do. It does not need to be huge. A note of appreciation to a dear friend. An unexpected bunch of flowers to a neighbour. A call to an elderly person who may be alone.

Notice how the giving increases you.

You might be asking; why bother? I invite you to consider that as you feel better about who you are (yes, warts and all) you will naturally radiate that goodness into your world. That goodness has a quality of peace with it. Your life will flow more easily for you. Your peace will have a ripple effect and touch to others.

Standing tall is about being available to more joy in your life, being seen, letting others benefit from your core goodness.

You could make every day a Peace Day. Or how about starting off by choosing just one regular day in the week to be your Peace Day? Even for 3 months. Notice how it makes a difference - for yourself and for others.

I am not a feminist. My role model growing up was a great aunt, a former suffragette who fought for the women's vote in the early twentieth century. She did not understand feminism in the 1960's. "Men would stand down to let me do what I felt was important", she would say to me.

However, I felt I had to include this TED video, including a beauty tip from Sophia Loren. Isabel Allende's passion and humour speaks to me as one standing tall, and living from her heart.

Isabel Allende tells stories of passion
 

I would love to hear how you nurture the peace in you. Do you know any ways we can contribute towards a more peaceful world? What do you think would make a difference?

Please feel free to leave a comment below, or contact me at [e-mail]

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Comments

[Angie Cordeiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you Anne! I have read every book Isabella Allende has written obviously I am a huge fan of both she and TED.com.

There is a prayer circle going on all day for peace; believe in the power of prayer or not, it still works:-)

"Oh hidden Life,
Vibrant in every atom;

Oh hidden Light,
Shining in every creature;

Oh hidden Love,
Embracing all in oneness;

May all who feel themselves as one with thee,
Know they are therefore one with every other." Annie Besant

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Angie,

Thank you very much for your comment. I love this prayer. It really touches me,

Please drop by again another time!

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[CarolynArmour]

Very inspiring Anne as always. I'm sitting tall as I write. I'm going to seek out Isabel Allende too. I know of her writings but haven't read any to date but after viewing her speech I found she was charming, passionate and well informed about her cause. And an added plus was that all this came with great humour. I'm a bit concerned though about the seeming lack of impact of International Peace Day. Do you find that or any other of your readers? I feel that I've heard nothing in the press though it must be around somewhere.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

HI Carole,

I just sent a reply which seems to have been swallowed up in cyberspace! Yes, I agree with what you say about the silence around International Peace Day. But my sense is that in time, it will reach more into the public domain as people get creative around it and do things which are newsworthy! Watch this space.... !

With love to you,
Anne

[Arithrianos]

I am peace always, as is everyone, it is only EGO that has desires that bring about conflict, while infabricated in and out of all is the silence of peace laughing at all out antics to grab hold and protect what we have always been when we stop trying (at all) and are Being-ing ourSELVES, which is peace and silence, the kind that roars like a mouse or a lion, depending on if anyone is a little deaf. Great blog, breath deep and deep in the body, from the stomach, not the chest, that just tightens things up.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Dear Arithrianos

How true it is - of course, we are always peace. And the love in us is greater than the ego, but sometimes we forget that. I do anyway! It is always good to be reminded of the truth.

Thank you very much for your comment. I appreciate your view.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Ed and Deb Shapiro - Huffpost Blogger]

Anne - You are a wonder, a delight and happy thta you are one of my first efriends ..

Your blog is spot on and TIMELY

all 5 are well received and I couldn't agree more with you.

I feel happy,

Thank you

In joy,

Ed

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Ed,

So good to see you here and thank you!

Your happiness touches me, as I am sure it touches others.

Your presence as always is a joy!

Love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Dr. Judith Rich - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Anne,

We are on the same page as my post this past week was on the same subject. Tomorrow is Peace Day, so your post is a welcome reminder for each of us to take time wherever we are Monday at noon local time, to meditate on peace and send loving thoughts to the world.

For me, peace begins in my relationship with myself. Just as you suggest, it's in the way we think about ourselves and then express and share that energy in the world right around us. Loving thoughts that affirm our highest possibilities apply to everyone as we're all one.

Let's expand Peace Day beyond Monday to include an awareness of our connections with all of life every day.

Peace to you dear sister,
Judith

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Judith,

Brilliant to see you here. And yes, we are definitely singing from the same hymn sheet or page. I noticed and enjoyed your peace post last week. Our peace chant this morning was bliss. I hope to have some photos of the spectacular views of the sun breaking through dark clouds. I took it as a good omen!

Love is the great connector and lifts us above all our differences. I agree! Let's expand Peace Day and give ourselves the gifts of much greater connections with each other.

Blessings of Peace and great Joy to you, dearest Sister,
Anne

[DiogenesOfAlaska]

If anything can pull off the feat of debunking the myth of 'power abuse with impunity' it is the passion and humour exhibited in Isabel Allende's talk.

But it's a daring feat, because there's a lot of 'enthusiasm' and 'creative excellence' missing in a lot of people.

May the force be not with them hawks but with the doves. And may the sharks lose all their teeth. :-)

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hello Diogenes,

Great to see you again on this Monday morning! I have this weird image of sharks swimming around with no teeth in their mouths - makes me laugh. I know what you mean though!

We are all too aware that the world is changing. So why not it change for the better? Each one of us has the possibility to make an impact in that direction, in small ways or large.

Love the doves.

With love and blessings to you,
Anne

[Lisa Earle McLeod - Huffpost Blogger]

HuffPost's Pick

You mean peaceful people have a purpose outside themselves? That they're clear on their talents, and have chosen to apply them to something meaningful?

Now there's a thought!

Much of the angst in this world has been caused by lack of purpose, and much of the suffering inflicted on others is done by people struggling to define themselves, who haven't found a way to do it other than by proving that they are "better" than someone else.

War is the creative impulse gone mad.

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Hi Lisa,

Thank you so much for dropping by! I really appreciate your comment and your input to the discussion. I had not seen "peaceful people" exactly the way you have it here.

I think in years to come, war will seem like a very bizarre thing indeed. So many other ways to be creatively rewarded and fulfilled.

Warmest good wishes to you,
Anne