When cut off in traffic, one man simply continues driving toward his destinationwhile another man blows the car horn shouting obscenities.
If nothing is going on, one person sits quietly and enjoys a moment of relaxation while another begins frantically scrolling through a social media feed on a cell phone.
Those three examples reflect the two types of people we are all capable of being: calm, tranquil and peaceful or agitated, anxious and easily angered. The difference between the two types is a narrow one and is dependent upon personal behavior. Here are the seven habits of highly peaceful people which anyone can incorporate into daily life.
#1) They have a routine. To have a peaceful mind, it's essential to establish and maintain rhythm and routine day by day. Generally, those who are exhibit high levels of peace and calm are individuals who carefully regulate their daily activities. They go to bed at the same time and awaken a the same time; they eat their meals at the same time; they engage in their spiritual practices at the same times each day. Though they are not full time monks or nuns, peaceful people structure their daily life in patterns similar to those found in a monastic setting. In so doing, their nervous system knows what to expect rather than constantly be thrown off by an erratic, unfamiliar schedule. Regularity is a foundational for cultivating a harmonious and peaceful mind.
(the remaining 'habits' will be posted, one each day this week)