I have realized that when ever I am disturbed/unhappy; it is usually after an argument/fight/difference with someone. It could be just any one. A stranger on the road, a waiter in the Hotel, my husband or simply anyone. After the flow of angry words, instead of feeling good and satisfied that I gave him/her back, I end up feeling miserable. Those angry words hurt me as much later as they probably hurt the other person. Makes me realize that it is important for me to have a harmonious relationship with those around me, in order to be happy with myself. Cultivating harmony around oneself is as important as having peace within. To illustrate my realization, a person who picks up fights and arguments with others at the drop of hat, or uses harsh words to make others unhappy; usually ends up being unhappy from inside. It is a cause and effect relationship.
Internal peace is difficult to attain when there is dislike and anger around. So it matters that we create harmony around us too. With Nature, God, fellow beings and animals too.
On the other had, people who make others comfortable, try to hard to create peace and harmony around them and in their relationships are more satisfied inside. When I make up with some one after a fight or an argument; the peacemaking process first happens within myself and then extends to the outside world.
It works in reverse too. People who are at peace within self usually have harmony around them. The choice is yours to make. Peace within self and then extend it outside or create harmony outside and then come to peace within yourself. But it is easier to manage self first and then attempt to manage many people outside. So may be it makes more sense to find peace and be at peace with self and then gradually extend it to the outside world.
