After all the violence in the world in the last week alone, do you ever wonder if it will ever end? In the last 7 days we have had death and carnage on a large scale in India, Nigeria, Congo and Iraq - and those are just the places that the media reports on. There are so many other places in the world affected by violence that they hardly even get mentioned any more.

A while ago, I was sent “A Prayer for an end to Violence” and lately I have been really remembering these words.

St Ethelburga’s Church in the City of London is a wonderful haven of peace and this prayer was written by the people there:-

“A Prayer for an end to Violence”:-

A prayer for an end to violence

God of life,

May I play my part in breaking the cycle of violence
by realising that
peace begins with me.

So the message for all of us is that peace begins us.

What can you do today to bring more peace into your life?

For many years now I have been closely involved with the Nirvana School in Pondicherry, South India.

I have been lucky enough to have visited the school many times and see closely the excellent work being done there to help the local children. It all began for me all those years with my first true experience of unconditional love.

About a year ago, a friend called Asha created this song called “Asha for Peace”

Please listen to the song and check out the moving video created to go with her inspirational words. Asha means “hope” in Hindi and other Indian languages. So Asha’s peace song literally translates as “Hope for Peace”.

The moving video to go with the song focuses on children from Nirvana School and highlights their innocence as they go about their daily lives and as they pray for a better tomorrow.

It just shows that peace in our time has to begin with the children in our lives.

As one begins to bring more peace into our lives, it is important to have some peace routines.

The best way of getting the new week off to a peaceful start is to really make the most of Sundays.

To me, Sunday morning is the best part of the week. It is only a few years ago that Sunday trading was introduced after much resistance. Until then, the whole of Sunday used to have the same feeling and atmosphere as Sunday mornings do now.

There is generally a feeling of peace and quietness on a Sunday morning that you do not experience any other time in the week. People are gradually getting into the day and there is none of the hustle and bustle you get on other days. Families go out for a stroll, either the park or the main high street. Around where I am, there is Regents Park and also the canal which is just amazing to stroll along.

Sunday mornings are a great time to spend a few hours in self nurturing, rejuvenation, meditation. You can of course do these things on other days too, but Sunday mornings have a special feel to them. Also, you can use this quiet time to review the previous week and plan the next seven days. Reflect on the learnings and the lessons to come.

There is a freshness and sparkle with very few cars around and even fewer people. This morning I wondered how I could make this period even better.

Firstly, I usually get any household chores, shopping, cleaning, tidying up all done on the Saturday – so my physical space feels neat and tidy. Psychologically we all feel better in a pristine clean home than in one that is a mess and full of clutter.

So a prerequisite is to get your space clutter free and tidy. Do whatever you need to do to get rid of the clutter and also spend a few hours cleaning up on Saturday. Then you are set for a pleasant Sunday.

You can start your Sunday with some meditation, soothing music, gentle exercise, whatever works for you. Follow this with a healthy and leisurely breakfast with your partner, the family or on your own.

After that it is time for a stroll in the neighbourhood, perhaps a park. Just enjoy the sights and sounds as everyone else seems to be as laid back as you. Pop into your local tea / coffee shop and if it appeals to you, take in the Sunday papers. I personally avoid the Sunday papers as they seem too daunting to get through – and also full of negative news. Do whatever works for YOU.

You can actually get the same feeling of quiet and freshness every day – you just have to get up much earlier. Get into the habit of waking up early – and going for a walk or run in the morning. Not only will you be exercising, but your day will be off to a great start and it will increase your productivity.

So as you begin to bring more peace in your world and hence the world in general, make the most of your Sunday mornings - a precious and peaceful start to each week.

This blog is about my peace journey on two fronts:

1. How I can get internal peace in my lifetime

2. How through my work and being I can bring more peace in the world

Ever since I can remember I have been drawn to doing some sort of peace work in my lifetime. I have heard the proverbial “knock” for a long time and I have been ignoring it, but it just won’t go away.

Many years ago when I did some volunteering work at a school in South India, I had one defining moment whilst I was amongst some orphaned children. That moment made me reflect on my previous life and ultimately led to life coaching, writing and speaking.

In that moment, I felt more peace, love and presence than ever before or since. I have strived ever since to recapture that feeling of joy, bliss and rapture.

At the same time over the years I have been passively involved in various peace projects without ever being fully committed to the cause.

Over the coming months I shall write here about my daily experiences and thoughts of bringing more peace into my own world and thereby the rest of the world.

Please do join me on my journey…

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