A Peace for You
Submitted by Rachel King, Sallie Mae

“First keep peace within yourself, then you can also bring peace to others.” ~ Thomas a Kempis

It is hard to believe, but the holidays are upon us once again! I don’t know about you, but the fact that the weather has turned cooler has created more excitement and anticipation for me this year. For a native Texan like me, it’s kind of nice to have the right weather to go along with the season!

However, don’t mistake my excitement for the season with actual preparation. I’m yet to muster the courage to battle the crowds and traffic—to actually start any sort of real shopping! Nor have I finished decorating my house; there are still boxes of snow globes and strands of garland lying on my living room floor. But on a recent trip to a retailer, I became strangely overwhelmed trying to choose the “perfect” holiday cards to send to friends and colleagues. I was looking for a card with a classic, yet fresh, picture, and with just the right message on the inside. I wanted something universal, but purposeful. Simple, but poignant. It took a little time, but I found a card that caused me to think about the upcoming holiday season with a fresh and renewed perspective. And it’s all because of one word—peace.

The word peace has various definitions and connotations. Today, many of us often think of peace as an alternative to war and conflict. Certainly, that is understandable and justified. But it occurred to me that peace also means stillness, quietness, contentment, and freedom from distraction.

We live in a world that rarely allows stillness or freedom from distraction. Even as you read this article, your phone is likely ringing, or an email notification may have popped up on your screen. And many of you will go home to more distractions—bills to be paid, laundry to be folded, and dishes to be washed. Our lives are filled with noise, and it seems impossible to ever experience a quiet peace.

As you prepare to celebrate this holiday season, try to take some time for quietness. Rather than spending hours walking through a crowded mall, take a walk around your neighborhood. After you’ve mailed your packages, spend time at a coffee shop just watching people outside. Take a nap! Meditate. This season, try to learn about peace—the kind of peace which comes from freeing yourself of distraction and quelling your anxiety. Quiet your mind. Carve out time for yourself, and reflect on why you celebrate this season of holidays.

And so, as the message in my holiday card says, I wish you and yours every happiness during this holiday season, and peace in the year to come.