Day 111

As I took Chandler on her walk this morning, I saw the pieces of this huge evergreen laying upon the forest floor, sloughing off the bark that once served to protect it from the elements and the creatures that might seek refuge in it. I could see that the pieces had been cut by a saw, and one had been moved off the path we were walking on and leaned atop one of the others. And I could see that the tree had split further up, and had most likely fallen across the very path we were on. Instead of walking past, I sat upon one of the pieces and reflected on how long the tree might have been there before it fell, and what might it look like if humans hadn’t cut it into pieces. I thought about the lovely seat that it was now providing me as I relaxed into the Peace and quiet of the forest. As I sat, I noticed hundreds of tiny pinholes in the tree itself, which I imagined to be where some sort of creature had entered to forage for food or to take shelter.

A few steps further along the path, I came across this grouping. Another evergreen, this time standing tall and proud in the filtered sunlight, with older pieces at its base, and I thought about how they were arranged. A mid sized piece lying on its side, propping a smaller, more spindly piece up against the evergreen, as if the three had been this way forever.

On the way back, I heard a snapping noise above me, and I looked up just as a great blue heron left its nest in flight. As the wingspan opened, I realized that I had taken in a huge breath, and I released it, feeling my entire body open to moment.

Here’s what is important about this for me. In these times of extreme stress, sorrow, anger, hostility and confusion, we need to see and feel rest, joy, Peace, love and clarity as well. We need to help one another to know that we can find our way back to Peace.

Each morning, I spend time before I get up, moving and getting in touch with the physicality of my body. I take several deep breaths, inhaling through my nose and exhaling through my mouth. And I meditate – entering the day with an open and Peaceful heart.

Some days, this practice keeps me at Peace all day. Some days, I forget it as soon as I turn to make the bed. Sometimes, I help others as they seek Peace, and sometimes, others reach out to help me find it again.

We have the ability to come home to Peace. In our hearts, our homes, our communities, our nations, our world. We can reset the energy of the world by being Peace everywhere we go and with anyone we interact with.

Where will you reset the energy to Peace today?