Dear Friends in Peace,

Living in times of turmoil offers us opportunities to choose to wallow in complaints, fear, and misery or choose loving kindness, compassion, and peace. How do we guide ourselves from angst to serenity?

Rather than setting out to "fix" the world, others or ourselves, we focus on what will bring solace and serenity. We offer ourselves the healing blessings of acceptance, compassion, and self love. We may ask ourselves: Am I afraid? If so, of what? What thoughts are keeping me from being peaceful? As I accept my feelings and fears, I begin to heal and create a loving space for the possibility of peace within my heart.

Healing for each of us will differ and might involve lying on Mother Earth, running, walking, dancing, crying, talking, taking a hot bath/shower, meditating, writing, etc. There are many possibilities for shifting from fear to peace. One part of the answer is simple: we choose to accept how we feel. "I am afraid for my nation, my friends, my grandchildren," etc. We accept any and all fears and are gentle with ourselves. Once we give ourselves permission to feel what we feel, we step into realms of healing and peace as we honor and accept ourselves just as we are. We hold ourselves gently, tenderly as we would a little child and bestow compassion, kindness, and love upon ourselves.

Self compassion is a simple, powerful path to resilient peace. Self compassion means we accept ourselves in each moment however we are, whatever we have done or not done, whatever we have said or not said. We simply say, "Okay, Donna (your name) I am sorry you are feeling such discomfort and fear. I want you to know I love and accept you just as you are: imperfect, stubborn, worried, and wanting to return to peace."

Our willingness to forgo wallowing in misery and condemnation and instead offer compassion to ourselves is a straight path to peace. While we may have little power over external events, we can and do choose a path of peace through Self Love. When we do that, we nurture and broadcast the energy and vibration of peace and loving kindness to ourselves, our nation, and our world. We help create the world we await as we choose to heal through the power and presence of self love.

“You know quite well, deep within you,
that there is only a single magic,
a single power,
a single salvation…
and that is called loving.”
-Hermann Hesse

Thank you for choosing peace in your thoughts, words and actions. I welcome, encourage and enjoy your 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