i’ve got nothing special planned today – which is always a good thing in my world. it’s really gray outside. drizzly and chilly. and the hard rain, with possible thunderstorms, is on it’s way. so, i’m gonna hunker down on my sofa and read some new magazines. of course i’ll sip on coffee. and perhaps do some writing. but, we’ll see about that. in a little bit, i’ll light my autumn candle and fill the apartment with the sweet smell of spices and cinnamon. there will also be blankets involved, and definitely some comfort food, like a grilled cheese sandwich or swedish pancakes. oh, and some netflix time too. can’t forget that.
life is moving at warp speed. my days are filled with activities, meeting people, driving around town, exploring new places, spending time with my brother, and writing. and i get to share this life with the woman that i love, my inspiration and my everything. i couldn’t ask for anything more. truly. i have never, ever felt so content and at peace.
so, today, i am going to slow down and simply bask in that peace. it is international peace day, you know, and this is how i am going to celebrate.
you see, i believe that to be peacemakers, we have to live as peacemakers ourselves. that does not mean that we have to board a plane and go work for the peace corps, though we can do that – and that would be awesome. what i believe about living as a peacemaker is more simply than trying to be like a saint or a guru that has achieved enlightenment. it means to live a life of peace in our every day lives, to get to know ourselves from deep within, to work on ourselves, and to try to be true to who we are deep within our core – and that includes following our dreams and having the courage to acknowledge who we are, what we want, and how we have been created to use our own unique gifts. we were not made to follow a crowd, but to simply be who we are – and each of us is magnificent, beautiful, and amazing. each of us is already a powerful peacemaker in the making.
inner peace, enlightenment, contentment, happiness, whatever you call it, is already within us. nurturing our inner life will only lead us to live lives filled with deep peace. if we turn inward, if we explore our inner light, our inner soul, our inner truth, and then have the courage to follow it, we will exude peace in our daily, outer lives. others will see it and feel it. and that, my friends, i how we teach peace.
we teach peace by being peace.
i must admit to y’all, there is nothing like some good ole raw, honest, genuine bluegrass/folk rock for a rainy day to bring me to a place of deep peace. right now the darkness is closing in, the rain is pouring down, and i have this video on repeat. these guys always touch my soul with their music & their lyrics. i cannot describe it, but i feel whole. grounded. well, simply peaceful. so, curl up somewhere for a few minutes and take a listen:
“we came to leave behind the world a better way” ~ the avett brothers
today, i am not going to march in any peace parade. or go to any protest. or take part in any community peace anything. i could, this is asheville, you know. hehe. instead, i’m staying home. i am going to let all the peace that is within me settle and soak deep into me today. i am going to nest. and i am going to nurture this peace that i feel, and listen to that still, small, quiet voice that whispers to me to simply be.
for me, today, peace begins at home.
“His ambition was not to become wealthy or to be well known, an image which society for some reason dictates each individual should prescribe to, instead his only ambition was to be at peace with himself, if he could achieve that than anything else he might need would follow. From now on he would question all things in life, but especially the rules and regulations of all authority institutions; he would take nothing on face value and only would accept what he personally knew to undeniably be true.” ― Andrew James Pritchard, Charnel House
Oh I love a bit of bluegrass, thanks Liz! Just you tubed them for more….xxx
so glad you loved it! they are my absolute favorite these days. xx
Love this post. And you are so right. Peace begins when we ourselves are at peace. Great post. Also I love The Avett Brothers and This particular live video of them is my favorite!
-We came for salvation, we came for family, we came for all that’s good that’s how we’ll walk away. We came to break the bad, we came to cheer the sad we came to leave behind the world a better way. <3
They are THE BEST! I know, right? Those lyrics are SICK. So amazing. xx
That quote is lovely. And I love this post.
It’s funny, life circumstance can make it difficult, seemingly, to be at peace. But no matter what, you can get there and live there.
It is so true. When we realize that peace is not some outer thing to attain, but something that it within, our world changes. Outside of us there can be chaos, and we can still be at peace.
I am so with you! life goes so fast sometimes, I think when it’s all good it races! last week gave me the chance to refresh and to stop and reflect a little on what a great life has / is being nurtured! It’s these times that are as important as the good stuff I think too! Hope you enjoyed it!
i have enjoyed my little nesting time… i always get this way in the fall. and i’m so glad that you had a relaxing and connecting week with your love. so important. wishes and hugs of happiness to you both!
Beautifully said. Although I am not at the point in my life where I can make peace with myself, I try to aim towards it, especially after reading through these thoughts.