summary ofPeace is Every StepBook by Thich Nhat Hanh

first KEY POINT

Every new day is a gift

When you wake up every morning, do you lament the fact that you have to get out of your comfortable bed, or do you take pleasure in the fact that you have 24 brand new hours in front of you? Not everyone is granted another 24 hours to be on Earth and be with their loved ones, and the fact that you have is a true gift. However, how you choose to spend those hours is a personal choice which has the ability to give you a happy and peaceful day and, for those around you, or a thoroughly miserable one.

Thich Nhat Hanh suggests opening your eyes and becoming more aware of what is around you. You do not have to look too far to see a beautiful sky or sunset, and you don’t even have to leave the comfort of your own street to see someone’s smile. It’s about how open you are to see these things or whether you allow them to pass you by.Most of us are very good at planning for the future, dedicating x number of years to studying for a degree or saving up furiously for a vacation in a few months. Still, we’re not very good at living here and now and basically remembering to live a little. It’s vital that you stop living in the past, stop worrying about the future, and start living in the here and now if you want to be happy, healthy and if you want to achieve inner peace. Mindfulness will allow you to do that, shifting your focus to the things that matter in life – the very moment you’re in.

Of course, it’s important to plan for the future; otherwise, you’d never achieve the goals you have in life, but you need to come back to the present moment if you want to find true peace and joy.Did you know? The definition of mindfulness is “a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment.”