Conflicts might be resolved through laws or social norms, but they don’t resolve the conflict within. The Dalai Lama called for a spiritual revolution in his 1999 book, “Ethics for a New Millennium.” He describes the necessity of transcending our self-centered nature to live in peace with others.

Our anger can be like a wild horse driving our chariot. We allow our anger to seize control, and we say or do things out of our hot state. But peace doesn’t result. It only facilitates more unhealthy expressions of anger. We have the power to choose differently.

The result of self-help is not to stay in the level of self, but to do your part in healing the world. Although so many in society are just getting by in a level of unawareness, you can join the critical mass in making the world a better place.

Responding to anger with anger never brings about peace. Instead, we can use the anger within to transform a situation and bring about peace.

We might be tempted to act out in our times of sorrow and grief, allowing them to turn to rage. But John 11:35, the shortest passage in the Bible, says, “Jesus wept.” Although he could have performed his miracle at the moment he heard about the death of his friend, he allowed himself to grieve. This showed the humanity of Jesus that exists in all of us. Sometimes the best response when others are hurting is compassion.

When the world appears in a state of conflict, it can immobilize us. But we can change the world one act at a time. This quote has been attributed to St. Francis: “ start by doing what is necessary, then do what is possible, then you find yourself doing the impossible.“ You can do one act of kindness, compassion or peace today.

In a time where the world is so wounded, it’s of utmost importance for us to seek spiritual connection. Rather than contribute to the anger and sorrow, we can contribute to the healing.

We might experience a great “high” in some relationships, but we have to be careful not to become addicted to them. The “high” is not the relationship, and the relationship hasn’t soured if we don’t experience it. Instead, it might be drawing us deeper.

Our guilty pleasures can easily take over our lives, and eventually our joy. By examining what doesn’t serve, we can use our energy for things that serve the greater good.

Rather than doing what we can to avoid suffering, why not investigate what it can teach us? With a little curiosity and mindfulness, we can practice sitting with suffering, knowing that we are never suffering alone.