Practicing peace

I have always wondered if you just start to do something does it then make it part of who you are?  I would like to practice peace but i have never been very good at it.  For some reason I have this personality that allows me to push through and be seen as a determined person.  It makes people a little more on guard and way of me.  There was a time in my life that worked for me and now that time seems to have passed.
It would be my preference to practice peace and to have life be calm.  If that is what I want, then i have to put that into the world.  At least that is the thought that is in my head.  I need to spend some time working on that one and having the thoughts that will work for me.