In the current state of the world and even our personal lives, it is easy to experience all the heaviness around us – fears and frustrations; anger and brokenness; illness and death. We hear truths and lies, realities and distortions – amplified by media, yet we understand our own reality through our experiences and the stories of our family, friends, and local community. In my discussions with friends, family or clients, one particular plea rings the loudest: we all need a little peace. Where do you find your peace? What gives you that glimmer of hope or light in your darkness? I asked around and here are some insights: laughter with a friend, God, blessings of wonderful family and friendships, my mummy and a spot of tea, dancing in the kitchen and belting throwback songs at the top of my lungs, knowing that humanity has historically still managed to find love and celebrate during dark times, my husband, aikido, praying, tapping into the Source/Spirit, my children, a walk, writing, old friends, new friends, the sunshine, the moonshine, alone time, painting, self-care like doing my nails and massages, yoga, my puppy, gardening, my grandchildren, memory of my dad, the water, music, stringing seashells on twine, baking, woodworking, playing basketball, watching comedians, working on cars, watering my plants, sweeping the front step – out with the old energy and invite in the new, repair the old and give it new life, add color, ask God to send my helpers like my grandma, my daughter’s laugh, my daughter’s deep need to ask intense questions, the cardinals who eat from my bird feeder, acknowledging things I’m thankful for like food to feed my family, a home to shelter us, my new wheelchair, good memories, my granddaughter, knowing I broke the dysfunctional cycle with my children, sunrises, volunteering, listening to “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven – it’s haunting and inspiring all in one, Christmas music, Motown music, my beautiful humble wife, a mantra that says “this too shall pass.”
Connection of Hope
By Amy Childers
In this world
Full of fear and grief
May we pause
For a moment
And breathe.
Remember.
Listen.
Smile – even through the tears
Just like the sun stretching her rays of hope through the rainfall.
Just like the full moon greeting the dark night with all of his fullness of beauty
To reflect faith –
In humankind,
Like the tulips resting in the dead of winter,
Like our very core of brokenness hidden from others.
May we stand strong as we fall to our knees
Hoping, pleading, praying
For a miracle,
For an answer,
For an ending,
For a beginning.
When screaming logic fails us
May we trust intuition whispering the truth like a mourning dove with a low, sorrowful bellow - offering comfort and empathy.
May we pick-up our resentments and insecurities
at the crevices of our ego, which demands and manipulates;
Inviting peace to settle into our thoughts and heal our hurts,
sealing the very core of who we are.
May we lift our hearts and hands together in unity for self, for others, for higher power; believing in our triumphs and tragedies,
Bowing to one another in humble awareness,
Offering gentle solace and goodwill for all.
Walking together on holy ground like a connection of hope.
Halleluiah! Love will rise! Peace will rise!
Will you accept it in your heart and share it with others?