Inner peace is a treasure. We all want a bit more of it. Daily we try to add things to our daily routines to enhance it, such as a quiet walk, connecting with loved ones, or meditation. I've rarely seen someone suggest things we can remove from our daily rounds to move us closer to inner contentment. An insightful article by Amy Morin suggests ten such things. I want to share my own twist on them with you as a helpful means of giving your souls a bit more breathing room.

• Make less time for truly toxic people: We all know people who are "energy vampires" those who drain your emotional energy, either intentionally or not. Kindly regulate your own ration of these folk. It's okay to say "not today."
• Practice less self-blame: Most of us are highly skilled in finding ourselves lacking or beating ourselves up for things which we really can't claim blame for. Be more gentle with yourself.
• Stop chasing happiness: Happiness is wonderful, but chasing it often moves us beyond feeling the happiness in the moment. Ask yourself, what's good, or beautiful, or fulfilling about this very moment. You may find some of that elusive happiness right now.
• Give up trying to stay comfortable all the time: Constant comfort is lovely, but the reality of life is that often change and growth come of some struggle, challenge, and even pain or discomfort. Don't miss seeing how a balance of these things is essential to staying fully human.
• Lose the victim mentality. We have met Eeyore, that gloomy and pessimistic old grey donkey in "Winnie the Pooh." By staying too long in a victim mentality we usually lose something essential to who we are: like Eeyore who often misplaces his tail.
• Think about how exhausting trying to impress people can be. This is a simple one: practice just being "you" for all the unique goodness you are. There's no one else just like you: and that's a good thing!
• The pursuit of perfection is a constant reminder of how far from that goal we actually are. Can we truly in our lifetimes win the perfection victory? At what cost?
• Holding grudges is a huge time bandit. Grudges are heavy. They weigh a lot when added to all the other rocks we cart around with us. They are rarely a winning proposition. Give yourself a break. Put it down and lighten the load.
• Seeking material things is a spirit killer: One question is a good remedy for this quest: could that material item you are chasing replace the deep joy of being with your loved ones?
• Stubborn self-reliance can box you in a corner: Some of the most wonderful inner peace to be had is that feeling when another person reaches out and offers help. Receiving that help is comforting and transformative. Being too stubbornly self-reliant can block you from this gift.

Trying to practice even one of these things can surprise you with that soul deep inhalation and exhalation of your breath, and the relief which comes of touching your own inner peace. How will you chose to enhance your inner peace this week?