During the holiday season and especially this holiday season, we talk about peace and pray for peace for our country and our world. We offer these words "May peace be with you" to one another. But, have you ever stopped to think about what peace really means to you? What would it look like and feel like to have peace in the world, this country, in your life? What needs to change or be different in order for you to experience real peace?

Peace is not something that will miraculously happen one day. Peace is something that we have to create one-by-one by being mindful of our thoughts, words and actions. Ralph Waldo Emerson said "Nothing can bring you peace but yourself". Even if world conditions would miraculously change, our personal peace is up to each and everyone of us.

How often are you complaining about your mate, your boss or the conditions in the world with your family and friends? How often are you grumbling to yourself that you don’t have enough time, money or fun in your life? Start becoming aware of the uneasiness that is created in your body and your mind by your complaining and grumbling. Obviously, acts of aggression get our attention and our desire for world peace, but it’s the constant low level uneasiness created by our discontented thoughts and words that affects our personal peace.

What happens to your energy when your friend calls to complain to you about something in their life? Feel drained, maybe even angry that they have disturbed your sense of peace? What are you doing to other people’s energy and sense of peace when you complain to them about someone or something in your life? Isn’t it time to make your personal peace a priority? How can we possible see peace in the world when our personal thoughts, words and actions do not reflect the peace we so desire?

During this holiday season notice the thoughts and the words you have when you are stuck in traffic, when there are long lines at the store, at the bank or when a situation doesn’t turn out the way you planned. What peaceful thoughts and words can you offer instead?

Focus on the music that is playing on the radio when your stuck in traffic. Chat with the people who are waiting in line with you without complaining about the long line. Talk about something nice your boss or mate did or just say nothing at all.

Stop talking about your bad day! Spend more time appreciating and talking about what is going right in your life. Ask your friends about what is going right in their lives. Make your personal peace a priority this holiday season.