Dear Friend in Peace,

Earlier this week, I was walking in the woods with my friend Pam looking for homes for endangered plants. (We have permits and permission for this work with the endangered species Tillandsia utriculata.) We had tramped around off trail quite a bit, walking through creek beds, over and around fallen trees in hopes of finding the right and perfect place for the plants. After we had walked a mile or so, we found an ideal home for one of our little treasures in an Oak tree near a dry stream bed. Pam expertly mounted the plant with some assistance from me. Next, I was to document the placement using a phone app; however, after searching my gear, my clothing, etc., I could not find my phone!

Calling it brought no feedback. It was missing and could be anywhere: under a Palm frond or Palmetto, adopted by a racoon, underneath brush, etc. I felt the extreme discomfort of realizing my lack of responsibility for this fixture of modern life and the likelihood it would never be found. I felt my body becoming tense and my mind already working its spiel: "It's time for worry and fear!"

Years of nurturing peace have gifted me with a greater intolerance of the misery of fear. There I was surrounded and enveloped by trees, by all the blessings of Mother Nature and I was tempted by my thoughts to be miserable. What nonsense! I took a deep breath and declared aloud: "My happiness and peace do NOT depend upon my phone." The misery lifted. I had taken responsibility for my peace and received its blessings immediately. My mind was stilled and my body softened. Peace is ours when it is all we want, and we take responsibility for claiming it.

Adding to my immense gratitude for choosing peace was the delightful surprise of discovering my phone atop my car when we returned to the parking lot! Worry is always possible, but so is peace!

"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your
one wild and precious life?"
- Excerpt from Mary Oliver's classic poem:
The Summer Day

As our nation goes through this horrific healing, waking up from what has been a sleepwalk into authoritarianism, we can take responsibility for our "one wild and precious life" and for our peace. We can hold profound sorrow and profound hope, peace, and love at the same time. Just as I declared Friday, "My happiness and my peace do not depend on my phone," we can declare now: "Our happiness and our peace do not depend on the integrity of everyone in our government. Our happiness and our peace depend on our thoughts, words, and actions.

If integrity matters to us, it is ours to be integrity. If kindness matters to us, it is ours to be kind. If peace matters to us, it is our responsibility to embody peace.

Thank you for choosing peace in your thoughts, words, and actions.
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