Is it just me, or have things gone batshit crazy a little wacky lately?

For those of you who share this sentiment, I know that sometimes it’s hard to know what to do.

How do we respond to hatred? How do we respond to the sanctification of fear-based prejudice? And how, pray tell how, do we respond to “alternative facts”?

In this post, I am offering a way.

It’s just one way, but it’s got legs. Big strong powerful legs.

I’m talking about being a Peace Warrior.

Now, more than ever, Peace Warriors are needed. Indeed, if peace is to be the ultimate outcome, and I claim and affirm that it is, then Peace is the way to get there.

To that end, I am offering 5 ways to be a Peace Warrior in the face of rampant fear and hatred – inside and out.

This list is just a beginning, and I invite everyone who reads this post to offer more suggestions in the comment section below!

1) Speak Only Peace

Hate speech abounds. In the media. In our homes. On both liberal and conservative fronts. I am daring – and double daring – everyone who reads this post to knock that shit off consider an alternative.

Speak Peace.

Make Peace your native language.

That doesn’t mean you can’t talk about everything that’s going on, but you can do it in a way that doesn’t devolve into fear.

Try it.

You’ll like it.

2) Visualize Peace For All

Imagine peace for your town. Your state. Your country.

Imagine peace for everyone you love.

Imagine peace for everyone who drives you crazy.

Imagine peace for all the leaders of all the countries on this planet.

Imagine peace for the entire planet.

Imagine peace for yourself, deep in your heart, as it magnifies and transforms everything around you.

Play John Lennon’s “Imagine.”

Crank it up.

Breathe.

3) Temper your exposure to the news

If you find yourself getting overly agitated and stressed by your exposure to the news – including social media – take a break.

Find ways to stay informed that enable you to stay upbeat and fired up about being a positive influence in the world.

When your inspiration takes a nose dive into a serious shithole of misery and despair depression, take a step back.

Take a walk. Or a bubble bath. Or whatever works to help you feel centered in yourself again.

The world needs a Strong and Nurtured You. Not a wigged-out, depressed you.

Tempering your exposure to media can keep the Strong and Nurtured You intact.

And that’s better for everyone – you and the world!

4) Take any action with peace

Whatever you do, do your best to do it with peace.

I’m not saying you have to turn into a saint or pretend to be something you’re not.

But the more you can bring an energy of peace and expansion into everything you do, the more that energy of peace and expansion spreads out into the world.

Shop for groceries with an energy of peace.

Eat with an energy of peace.

Have conversations with others – including those of different viewpoints – with an energy of peace.

March for justice from an energy of peace.

Do everything with an energy of peace.

The more everyone does everything with an energy of peace, the more peace there is on the planet.

It’s as simple – and as challenging – as that.

5) Remember the Serenity Prayer

We all know it, but I’m gonna say it again:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

the courage to change the things I can

and the wisdom to know the difference.

Repeat often.

It will save you a lot of stress and heartache.

Ask yourself:

What’s out of my control?

Accept it. Love it. Wrap peace around it in your heart.

Ask yourself:

What’s mine to do?

Do it.

If you feel the shitstorm stress creeping back into your mind and heart, reassess: Is this thing I’m totally tripping concerned about something to wrap peace around in my heart, or is it something I can take action on?

Posing – and answering – this question often will strengthen the Peaceful and Nurtured You.

Doing all five of the things in this post will turn you into a Badass Peace Warrior.

The world needs you.

The world needs all of us.

And when we combine peace with collective strength, we are mighty.

Watch out world, here come the Peace Warriors!

How do you activate and nurture your Peace Warrior? Share your comments below!