My Peace SanctuaryPeace of Acceptance

Dear Friend in Peace,

Sitting in silence offers sweet opportunities for clarity and guidance. This past week during a silent sitting, these words flowed into and through my heart and mind:

"This is what peace is: accepting each moment just as it is without need for anything to be judged. All simply is, and all calls for love."

The closer I get to the end of this incarnation, the more I savor and delight in every moment, no matter what it looks like and brings. No longer do I need to try to be perfect whatever that means. No longer do I expect the world and others to behave as I would desire and stomp my feet when they don't! Instead, I focus on what is mine to do and be: love, kindness, and peace. The rest is details as each of us chooses to accept ourselves and everyone else just as we are. I am reminded of the beautiful and wise Serenity Prayer of AA:

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference."

Rather than resist reality, we work with it. Our lack of resistance to what is allows us to be fully present and to respond to ourselves and others with kindness and love. We may sometimes worry about our nation and our world and the myriad injustices in both which are profoundly unpeaceful. Acceptance does not mean approval of injustice or cruelty, it simply means we stop wasting time expecting the world to be exactly the way we wish and instead put our time and energy into what we can do to create a world of peace and loving kindness through our peaceful, compassionate, and kind thoughts, words, and actions.

I chose this photo to go with our focus on the Peace of Acceptance because this Blue-eyed Grass (Florida native wildflower) is another of my favorite flowers and its open petals appear to me to be welcoming arms, accepting and loving you, and me, just as we are. The loving acceptance flowing from this gorgeous flower reminds me I also can be kind, loving, and accepting of myself and of others. No judgments required or desired. Like the blue-eyed grass, I can accept us all just as we are: imperfect beings doing the best we know how and doing better when we know better. Loving acceptance changes everything within us and creates space for healing, hope, and change. May the beauty and acceptance of this precious being fill your heart with peace and hope. May it inspire you to be constant in your commitment to peace through acceptance.

"Accept - the act. Whatever the present moment contains, accept it as if you had chosen it. Always work with it, not against it. Make it your friend and ally, not your enemy. This will miraculously transform your whole life."
- Eckhart Tolle

By taking ownership of what is as guided by Eckhart Tolle, we open ourselves to positive possibilities rather than wasting time and energy bemoaning what is! Accepting ourselves as we truly are means recognizing we all are sometimes forgetful, sometimes scared, and sometimes worried. We also are sometimes so kind and thoughtful it's inspiring and sometimes willing and able to listen to that small, still voice which whispers to us to "Accept each moment just as it is without need for anything to be judged. All Simply is, and all calls for love."

Once we step into the world of love, everything and everyone changes. May our willingness and commitment to acceptance bring more peace and love into our lives and our world.

Thank you each and all for choosing peace in your thoughts, words, and actions. I welcome, encourage, and enjoy your comments, and ideas for creating more peace in YOUR heart along with any other comments and suggestions.

Yours in peace and love always,
Donna

P.S. Please pass on the peace by sharing this post with friends and family. They can join this mailing list, by writing to me at donnadday@gmail.com