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Happiness Tip: Year of Peace

Happy New Year, everyone! This is the time when a lot of energy is spent on making resolutions, most of which we don’t manage to keep. So, this year, I propose a different kind of resolution.
Will you join me in resolving to create a year of peace?

Peace begins inside yourself. When you can remain calm even though things are not going well, or someone is being annoying, or you’ve been severely disappointed, you’re beginning to create a more peaceful world. When you can be kind, caring and walk away from things and people that are upsetting; rather than challenging, being defensive or getting even; you’re creating peace where there might have been conflict. When you spend some time relaxing, meditating, cuddling up or doing what you love, you’re creating a mental and physical experience of peace that lowers your blood pressure, reduces your stress, heals your body, and opens your creativity.

When inner peace reigns, it spreads outward from yourself to your friends and family; and even strangers. Your calm and caring interior creates “vibes” that are soothing and comforting to those around you. If you can smile at the grocery cashier after the previous customer was cranky, or touch your dear one’s hand when things get edgy, or call a friend who’s going through a struggle just to say you understand; you’re creating a more peaceful family and community.

Peaceful communities work together to accept and help each other. When your neighbors rally to bring food and medicine to a friend who is ill; when we all work together to fix a local problem or pass some beneficial community laws, or just say a friendly “Hi” or pass the time of day with our neighbors; we’re creating a more trusting and peaceful society.

When we take care to make thoughtful political choices, with an eye to what is good for our neighbors as well as ourselves, and consideration for the future as well as today; in response to reasoned thinking rather than reaction to agitated commercials, we are creating a more peaceful world. When we follow the old precept to ‘think globally; act locally’ we’re creating conditions for world peace and prosperity.

Happiness is not so much getting what we want as it is acting and thinking in ways that nurture connections and harmony. Within the nurturing environment we create, love and happiness can flow and grow .

The Shape of Peace

How shall we know When peace is here to stay?
How can we grow in peaceful, loving ways?
When will the struggle be transformed into the dance?
Can faith be strong enough to take the chance?

Chorus: Hold out your hand and touch the shape of peace
And side by side we’ll watch the struggle cease
The Hand of God will touch and heal the breach
When we are one, when we have learned
The shape of peace

The shape of peace is in the silent stars
That dance in time to Power beyond ours
We can’t escape, we cannot shout it down
After the battle, the silence is profound.
(© 2001 Words and music by Tina B. Tessina)

May we all be blessed with The Spirit of Peace ~ Within ourselves, Within our lives, Within the world.
Wishing you a A Blessed and Peaceful 2008

Adapted from: Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Squabbling About the Three Things That Can Destroy Your Marriage (Adams Media) ISBN# 978 - 1 - 59869 - 325 - 6
© Tina B.Tessina, 2008

If you want more, here are some related articles you can download from my website at http://tinatessina.com/monthly_column.html

Anticipating Change
Aspects of Love
Attitude: From Negative to Gratitude
Emotions as Weather
Fair Fight Guidelines
The Family of the Heart
Getting Along With Each Other
Guidelines for Being Understood by Your Partner
Into Every Life
Learn to See Through The Eyes of Love
Make New Friends, Keep Good Friends
The Power of Politeness
Practicing Patience
Relating With Love
Winning The War Within
Your Bestest Friend - You

Appearances Calendar
Brand new in January! Please consider my newest book: Money, Sex and Kids: Stop Fighting About the Three Things That Can Ruin Your Marriage (Adams Media) ISBN# 978 - 1 - 59869 - 325 - 6 browse it at http://www.tinatessina.com/books3.html

The Dr. Romance blog: http://drromance.typepad.com/dr_romance_blog/

If you’re on Facebook, please look at my page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=654038567

On LinkedIn, find me at
Http://www.linkedin.com/in/tinatessina

You can find me on the Internet as "Dr. Romance" on Yahoo!Personals at http://personals.yahoo.com/us/static/content_date;

I’m a designated Expert for Redbook Love Network

I'll also answer your questions at http://www.tinatessina.com

I’ve been interviewed for a British documentary on relationships – I’ll post more news here when it comes out.

Upcoming radio shows, TV, and lectures are all posted at http://www.tinatessina.com

Book tours at http://www.booktour.com/author/tina_b_tessina

I welcome your feedback and support, please contact me at tina@tinatessina.com.
Wishing you joy,
Tina B. Tessina, PhD
www.tinatessina.com

MAILBOX Dear Ms. Tessina, Good afternoon. Thank you very kindly for this very kind and nice e - mail. Happy holidays and a very happy New Year 2008 to you as well. Regards, Marc
The same to you, Marc. I’m glad you enjoyed it.

Thank you, Tina. Happy Holidays to you and yours! Philip & Natalie
And to you, Philip & Natalie

Hi Tina Just wanted to thank you for the Season of Blessings. Your New Years wish for us is also Ours for you. I look forward to your newsletter every month. Mary
Thank you Mary, and all the best to you.

Tina, your monthly newsletter never ceases to amaze me. Please keep it up! Love, Molly
So far, so good, Molly. Glad you’re enjoying it. Hearing from you helps keep me motivated.

Thank you so much for becoming a writer. I have read your books and I cannot begin to tell you how much they have helped me. It Ends With You helped me to resolve issues with my parents divorce that I have had for so long. I never realized until I read your book just how much a divorce you see when you are younger can affect you as an adult. It has completely changed my way of thinking and for the first time in my life I can see how much pain I have had without even knowing it. Laura
From: Biloxi MS

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