The tall pine tree outside my window stands serene. Birds nestle in its boughs and sunlight sparkles through the raindrops on its branches. Just looking at it brings me a sense of peace. A few paces beyond, the world is anything but serene. Frantic drivers crowd the roadways, invasive ads urge us to buy the latest device, and negative news of political polarization, heartbreaking wars, and other disasters spews from the media.
In America today, over 48% of adults have suffered from anxiety disorders (Anxiety Checklist, 2025). More than 21 million adults a year are suffering from depression (NIMH, 2023). And in recent months, over 70% of Americans have experienced stress from politics, the economy, and worries about the future (APA, 2024). For an overview of the rise in anxiety, depression, and stress throughout the world, see the Anxiety Checklist (2025).
The fact that life creates suffering--Buddhism's First Noble Truth--is only too evident today.
But it doesn't have to be. The world's great spiritual traditions remind us that we have a choice. We can mindlessly react to the commotion around us or choose to see things differently, to cultivate greater peace of mind. What brings you peace of mind? Is it:
- Getting or giving?
- Reacting or creating?
- Doing or being?
When you see the difference, what does this mean to you?
Do you have your own ritual that brings you back to peace? Is it:
- Beginning the day with regular contemplative practice?
- Quiet moments of prayer and spiritual reading?
- Pausing to reflect on the beauty of nature?
- Giving yourself space to breathe amid a busy day?
- Spending a few moments at the end of the day to reflect on three things you're grateful for (Emmons, 2007)?
Today you can choose your own daily ritual of peace, which can make a positive difference not only in your life but in our world. For the peace you cultivate is not just for you. It ripples out to touch all the people you meet for we are all intrinsically connected. Each day the small choices you make can begin to heal our beautiful, but troubled world.
I wish you—and all of us–greater peace in the days to come.
Diane
References
Anxiety Checklist University. (2025). The Anxiety Checklist. https://anxietychecklist.com/anxiety-statistics
American Psychological Association (APA). (2024). Stress in America 2024. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-america/2024
Emmons, R. (2007). Thanks. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). (2023). Statistics on Depression. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/major-depression#part_2563