Peace or Silence

 

“Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”  Rumi

Keeping peace does not mean swallowing your truth or avoiding conflict. What we repress begins to show up in physical discomfort … clenched jaw, pounding headache, anxiety and so on. This is not peace, it is a form of silence stifling our true self. Tension flows over into healthy relationships creating further discord.We then discover that we are disappearing.

From an early age, we believe that silence is respectful and in certain situations it can be. But we can address conflict in an honorable way using our voice. Phrases such as I feel or I believe is a reflection of the self. We are not preaching, simply reflecting our thoughts. We can use a neutral voice sharing our perspective, and avoid a challenging atmosphere.

Peace is maintained by continuously being in touch with our own presence. Do we even know what we believe or are we allowing others to dictate how we feel? It is best to listen to others opinions without judgement. Peace is fueled by updating perspectives and releasing what we have outgrown. When we are at peace with ourselves we can thrive in our silence.

Color of Nature

 

“Nature always wears the color of Spirit.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Recently, I was blessed to be taken on a surprise getaway. The first part of the trip, I drove in solitude thinking of all the years I had traveled this road. I greeted the tall and sturdy trees lining both sides of the interstate knowing they had faced fires, ice, and general neglect. They greeted me like Spirit’s private angels.

The second part, Spirit sang to me through the waves of the ocean. Mesmerized by the consistent motion of the water and cleansing sounds, I was lulled into a deep peace. I could feel my body unfold as I embraced the waves as though each one were an old friend, rushing to hug and love me.

The last part, I was hugged by the sun. Sand crusted on my feet while salt water dried on my lips. My eyes teared watching my loved ones play. So many years I have loved these humans, knowing our life times had crossed before. Generations bonding together creating the best colors of nature … spiritual peace and love.

Layers

 “Faith means living with uncertainty, feeling your way through life, letting your heart guide your life like a lantern in the park.” Dan Millman  

It does not matter how good of a person we are, troubling challenges happen. To be a part of the human experience includes the ability to navigate hardship. If we make bad choices, we will have a negative experience. If we react with kind heartedness, the challenge is the same, but the result may not lead us into victimhood.

Allowing fear to distract us from having faith in our skills and abilities cripples our endeavors. If we backslide into memories of past mishaps, our inner energies will not be used for moving forward. Life is a process meant to be a collection of lessons learned through trial and error. Maintaining awareness of our patterns of behavior assists in positive progression. 

When we maintain a spiritual connection in both good and challenging times, communication flows with inspiration for problem solving. Healing may come in stages but each one will be forming a healthy layer to support us. Trust that spirit will lead us out of darkness, lighting the way to a healthy and productive life beyond current distractions.