Peace

This week I would like to reflect on peace. Peace is the state of mind, state of soul, state of the world, that we all want. We have different ideas of how to accomplish our goal. Nonetheless, I believe it is our ultimate urge - to be at peace. So, what does peace mean for our spirit? One morning I jotted down some of my thoughts on peace:

Peace...

Absolute contentment with what is.

No wishes, desires or thoughts of circumstances changing.

A flexible mindset,

embracing whatever comes.

Not just acceptance alone,

but, acceptance with deep love,

without trying to understand.

How could our minds wrap around

the supernatural order of the world?

We think with our souls.

The fear of being blind belongs

only to those who can not see.

Those who have felt peace, truth and love,

do not fear the unknown;

therefore, they can clearly see.

Peace is quite and still.

Like the sunrise over a mountain.

Peace is developing an eternal joy,

deep within your core.

Not fleeting happiness, but joy

and gratefulness for all you have been given.

Peace is life.

It allows for new life to begin.

Peace ignites in your soul

and then, like moths to a street lamp,

those seeking the fulfillment of

love, peace, joy and truth, will crowd to you.

But, you need not say anything.

Words complicate peace.

Words of the mind can condemn, offer judgements,

even without intention.

Instead you just exist and continue

in your own flame of peace.

Should a word be spoken,

it will come from deep in the soul,

whispered to the part of you who knows the

difference between ego and giving.

Live in the light.

Live with peace in your heart.

As you begin this week, spend a few minutes reflecting on this. Are you in a peaceful place in your life right now? What can you do to bring more peace in your day today? What can you do to offer peace to another?

Words

A dear friend gave me a beautiful journal for my birthday. Inside the cover she quoted an excerpt from a meditation on 'words' found in the newsletter, "Synchronicity" she subscribes to.

"Words are a way we connect with the world, acting as a

bridge between our inner and outer experience..... If we

view our words as powerful tools for manifesting our reality,

we may be more attentive as to how we use them."

I have read this over and over. This excerpt has so many meanings for me and you can go in several different directions in it's interpretation for your own life. I hope you spend some time developing a sense of what it means to you today.

As I read it this afternoon, I found myself extracting another meaning I had not paid much attention too.

I know we all say, "Say what you mean!" and "Tell those you love how much you love them!" - and the end of that is, of course, "Because it may be your last chance."

I consider myself very fortunate. I believe, with all my soul, that those that have passed on in my life, knew I loved them. I rest easy with this and feel a sense of peace from the blessing that I don't have to doubt this.

Sometimes, however, I am struck with the little things I loved about them, or learned from them, that I never verbally shared.

For example, when I left my Granny and Papa Woods' house, Papa would wave at you the whole time as you pulled out the drive way. I would even turn around as we were driving off and he was still waving. I've adopted this action when guests come. I want them to know, as my Papa let me know, that you are so important to me I will wave until I no longer see you."

And my Papa Streett - did he have a clue how in 'awe' I was that he could actually carve beautiful scenes out of soap? Not only could he do it - but, he then would spend several hours teaching my cousin and me how to do it. Did he have a clue that his patience and gentleness on that day still sticks with me after all these years?

These are little, simple actions that are engraved deeply and with significance in my heart.

I believe both these men know my love for them. I do wish I could have shared with them the little things.

So, that's your challenge today. Share the little things with your friends and your family. Tell them what unique part of their behaviors, rituals, traditions or personality that you love. Share a time from the past that you recall with warm feelings. Express to them what you have learned from being in their life. Whether it's big or small, it will be appreciated. Most importantly, your words will bridge a deeper understanding of your soul touched by another.

Enjoy your weekend!

Different Breeds

Meet Wyatt!
He's sweet, wild, loves to run around the porch (aka "his home") and dig holes in our yard.

Wyatt has made a new friend. Our neighbors recently added Tucker to their family. Tucker is an adorable dirty blond toy poodle. Wyatt and Tucker are unlikely friends, to say the least!

Huskies are naturally "winter dogs". They tend to not do well in the heat. So, every summer Shane and I buy a baby pool and fill it up for Wyatt to cool off in during the 90 degree days. And when it's real hot - we fill bowls of ice up for him to chew on. Huskies also need ALOT of exercise. Even though Wyatt has a whole yard to roam around, we still have to walk him several times a week so he can release energy. Another thing that makes them special (special is in the eyes of the beholder!) is they shed their coat slightly all year - and then have two major sheddings twice a year. During the "big shed" phase - it literally looks like snow covered our back yard -there is so much fur! So, needless to say we try to brush him and get him groomed as much as possible.

Now - what if my neighbors wanted to trade dogs for week. Let's imagine this experiment.
We change dogs for a week - and neither of the owners change their way of treating the dogs.
So, Tucker is now in a big yard, about to drown in a baby pool he can barely stand up in, looking at ice that is too big to put in his mouth, being brushed so much he has no fur left and he ends his day with a 2 mile walk that leaves him exhausted (and sore paws!)
I don't want to even think of Wyatt living Tuckers life! Their house would be destroyed!

It doesn't make sense to treat two different breeds of dogs the same way, does it?

Why don't we understand this distinction with humans?

When Shane started his new position last year, he came home after a weekend of traveling in a down mood.
"I just can't keep up with him!" Shane said about one of his colleagues.
He went on, "He's a machine. He can stay up until after midnight, then he wakes up at 6:00am am to run 10 miles, before he shows up bright eyed and bushy tailed to work 8:00am! I can't stay up that late and still function the next day. Maybe something is wrong with me."

Of course there is nothing wrong with Shane. He's just a different breed from this man. Just like there is nothing wrong with Wyatt or Tucker.
But, we still do this - we judge our selves by how we think other's live their lives. We think we must all conform to this one breed of people - and if we are not like one breed, something must be deformed in us - we MUST be flawed.

I think this happens a lot with people who are success driven - whether it's to be the "perfect" mom, the best dresser, or top notch in your job - we start to think our breed may not be "good enough".

You are good enough. Your breed - the way you live, the hours of sleep you need, the alone time or social time you crave, introvert or extrovert, works well under pressure - or needs time to plan - it is all you and perfectly arranged by a higher power to meet your calling in life.

So, stop wasting energy trying to change your breed. Instead, embrace the things that make you unique and use them to your advantage! It's also key when communicating with others - know the needs of the breed - don't treat every dog the same!