Peace through Presence

Dear Friend in Peace,

Picture this:  a cabin full of 9-year-old girls on their first overnight “camping” adventure. Lots of giggles and teasing took place, but as dark descended the conversation shifted to scaring our little selves half to bits with tales of what might be, who might break down the door, and what that noise could be. Like most everyone else, I sat on my cot with blankets wrapped around me, eyes wide open, and heart pounding!

The next morning, we discovered all was well and our journey into doom and gloom had materialized in the form of nothing more than our exhaustion.

It was indeed a silly self-imposed situation which can serve as a helpful reminder of what not to do. For us, as people of peace, this type of self and community generated fear calls for our compassion, not our participation.

Peace lives and breathes within us in the present moment, not in a distant time when circumstances are exactly what we think might be ideal. What a blessing it is to know Peace is always available for the choosing.

The next step is how to invite and become a host to peace. Fortunately, that is simple too. The ever-present miracle of the breath of life can also be a straight, simple path to peace. Breathing as follows is one way to allow and cultivate inner peace:

• Breathe out fear, worry, anxiety…
• Close your eyes.
• Breathe in Peace.
• Breathe out what if.
• Breathe in Peace.
• Breathe out fear.
• Breathe in Peace.
• Bring your lips into a half smile[1], stay in this space of Peace for as long as you wish.
• When you are complete, keep the half smile and your peace.

You may have other paths that bring you home to peace. I hope you will share them with me. The picture below is an example of another favorite path to peace for me which is  Mother Nature.

Any time we are tempted to wallow in thoughts of what if, anxieties from the past, or of fears of the future, as people of peace it behooves us to live the wisdom given us by Ram Dass:  “BE HERE NOW.”

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

Yours in peace and love always,
Donna

[1] Suggestion of half smile is from our beloved teacher and guide in peace, Thich Nhat Hahn.