I try to find peace in moments of quiet reflection and in the company of friends
and loved ones. It’s something I actively seek out, both for my own well-being and so
that I can do my job to the best of my ability.
In times of crisis, when we spend most of our time thinking and worrying about others, I also think that we need to find some time to look after ourselves.
I try to schedule quiet times for reflection every day and I try not to spend the precious few spare minutes I have scrolling on my phone or distracted by social media. These peaceful moments help me clear my head.
You make better decisions when you give yourself time to make them; when you don’t simply react to things and when you are able to plan for the future.
I believe that a healthy body helps promote a healthy mind and a general wellbeing. So I try to get to the gym or out for a run a few times every week. I use the time to listen to music and switch off from the noise all around me. Very often I find that it helps me make sense of everything that is going on and I return to work able to think about old problems in new ways.
At the end of a long day I try to spend a few moments in meditation and quiet reflection. I am grateful for the good things in my life and the people around me. I think of the things I got wrong and I resolve to do better the next day. It’s not quite prayer, meditation or mindfulness, but it’s something like it.
Leo Varadkar is an Irish politician who has served as Taoiseach since December 2022, and previously from 2017 to 2020. He served as Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment from June 2020 to December 2022. He contributed this piece to Sr Stan’s 2021 book Finding Peace published by Columba Books.
