Remember all those kung fu movies where the master always talks about inner peace? (Ha! I know you thought about Master Oogway from Kung Fu Panda! e-high-five to you) Well, believe me when I write that it is very easy to achieve and here's how:

1. Be in the present: A lot of inner conflict is a result of dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. So, a great way to cultivate peace within yourself is to focus on the now. Also, being in the now is what's gonna shape your future. Therefore, think of it as investing your time, positively. And please let go of your past, you cannot change it, why invest on it, right?
2. Embrace simplicity: The more you simplify your life, the less anxiety and stress you'll have counteracting your peacefulness. Think about having to deal with only the necessary things. A piece of time saved is peace-time (pun intended)
3. Learn to accept: Whenever you choose not to accept what is reality, you're causing turmoil within yourself. Accept what is and you'll be a lot more at peace with yourself and the world. Now, this acceptance is far from yielding to pressure. If you accept the reality of the situation, you can go about it with a clear head.
4. Steer clear of negativity: Negativity brings you down. It is like a vaccum cleaner that sucks away all your strength. If you want to have peace in your life, you have to do what you can to avoid it. Be it people or place.
5. Make positive choices: Choose to spend time with positive people and in positive situations. Hey, it's your life, you get to choose! Think of yourself as the driver on your life's journey. You get to pick whether to drive on highways or mudways.

Doing all of the above has but one goal - enabling you to love yourself for what you are. This will in-turn give you the ability to stay calm and unaffected in what feels like a hurtful or negative situation. You are your greatest support system. Tap into that energy and be one with it!

Padmapriya. K