Bhavani Notes to Self You Should Repeat to Yourself this Week Peace is not the absence of pain, but the presence of love.: Positivity does not mean ignoring the negativity around you, it means overcoming the negativity within you. There is a big difference between the two. The peace, happiness, and effectiveness of your life greatly depends on the quality of your thoughts. On an average day, most of your stress comes from the way you respond, not the way life is. Adj ust your response and all that extra stress is gone. Truly, inner calmness among chaos is a superpower that frees you to focus more effectively on what actually matters. The trick is to be present. Don’t wish away all your days waiting for better ones ahead. Just appreciate where you are today. You've come a long way, and you're still learning and growing. Be thankful for the lessons. Take them and make th e best of things right now. You don't need to attend every petty argument you are invited to. Take this to heart and your future self will appreciate it. Because as you age, you will learn to value your time, heartfelt moments with loved ones, and peace of mind, much more. Little else will matter. A TO Z INDIA JUNE 2022 PAGE 15 Everyone you encounter is struggling in some way. Some people are just better at hiding it. So even when you have good reason to be angry, don't be hateful. Rise up, with boundaries and grace. Remind yourself that peace is not the absence of pain, but the presence of love. Om Namah Shivaya!!!