Christmas is often described as the season of peace. We sing about it. We post about it. We wish it for one another. But if I’m honest, peace isn’t something most people feel during this season.
December can be loud. Busy. Heavy. Emotionally loaded. Expectations rise, calendars fill and for many people—especially leaders, parents and athletes—peace of mind feels more distant than ever.
When I think about peace, I don’t just think about peace of mind.
I think about the pieces required to have peace.
And that distinction matters.
Peace doesn’t magically arrive because the calendar says December 25.
Peace is the byproduct of alignment—when the right pieces are in place.
Peace vs. Pieces
Many people chase peace the same way they chase success, fame or fortune—believing that once they arrive, peace will follow.
It doesn’t work that way.
I’ve coached long enough to know this truth: If the pieces aren’t in place, peace will always be fragile.
The pieces I’m talking about are foundational:
- Mental
- Emotional
- Physical
- Relational
- Spiritual
When one of those areas is neglected, peace of mind becomes unstable. You might experience moments of calm, but not lasting peace. Not peace that holds under pressure.
Coaching Through the Lens of Peace
As a coach, I operate from a definition I’ve coined and lived by:
A C.O.A.C.H. is someone who:
- Cultivates growth
- Opportunities are created
- Advancement of progress is intentional
- Confidence is built
- Harmonizes a shared journey of learning
What most people miss is this: You cannot coach performance without coaching peace.
And you cannot coach peace if the pieces aren’t addressed.
I see this clearly in baseball—especially with hitters. Players want confidence in the batter’s box. They want clarity. They want freedom to perform.
But peace of mind at the plate doesn’t come from a last-second prayer or a perfectly timed routine.
It comes from preparation.
It comes from habits.
It comes from discipline.
It comes from knowing the work has already been done.
Engagement Before Empowerment
Right now, we’re in what I call the Engagement Phase—November, December and January.
Engagement is about buy-in.
It’s about building habits and strength.
It’s about tens of thousands of reps, not motivational clichés.
Real development requires:
- Commitment
- Discipline
- Measurement
What gets measured gets improved.
What gets repeated gets reinforced.
This is the season where peace is built quietly, long before empowerment arrives in February, March and April—when responsibility and authority are handed over.
You cannot empower someone who hasn’t been engaged.
And you cannot expect peace in performance without peace in preparation.
The Christmas Reality
Christmas reminds us that peace didn’t come through power, status or spectacle.
Peace came through order, obedience and alignment.
For me, peace ultimately comes from God. That’s my foundation. But I’m also clear-eyed enough to know this:
Faith does not replace discipline.
Prayer does not replace preparation.
Belief does not replace responsibility.
They work together.
In Part II, I’ll break down each of the core pieces—mental, emotional, physical, relational and spiritual—and explain:
What each one is
Why it matters
How to build it
Because peace of mind isn’t something you find.
It’s something you build—piece by piece.
Remember: Intelligence tops being smart.
For more information, visit www.diamonddirectors.com today.
If you found this inspiring and thought-provoking, or if you have any questions, comments or concerns, add me on Discord and let’s go deeper.
C.J. Stewart has built a reputation as one of the lading professional hitting instructors in the country. He is a former professional baseball player in the Chicago Cubs organization and has also served as an associate scout for the Cincinnati Reds. As founder and CEO of Diamond Directors Player Development, C.J. has more than 22 years of player development experience and has built an impressive list of clients, including some of the top young prospects in baseball today. If your desire is to change your game for the better, C.J. Stewart has a proven system of development and a track record of success that can work for you.
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