Life is a bit hectic at work and also moving down stairs in my house. I do however hope to have a 5 day wkend on the sailboat over labor day wkend. My sailing partner is up in Ohio helping with that local disaster of a storm that went thru that area.
I believe
that peace can reign
somewhere
deep in every being,
every event,
every moment . . .
somewhere,
everywhere
in the world.
I can’t always find it,
especially
when something seems too horrific to look upon.
But it’s there,
somewhere,
as a kernel or a seed
or a molecule or an atom.
Easier for me to find,
peace spreads itself across a mountain valley
in the dusk of evening,
as shadows fall across the land,
and life settles down for the night . . .
peace washes over the garden
in the moment when day turns to night
and the fireflies come out to dance.
Peace rolls in like waves over my tired body
after a day of doing . . .
peace comes before sleep.
Peace
lives in the hardest heart of man
(and woman) . . .
it’s just the unlocking of it
that is a mystery,
and one that I surely cannot fathom,
but I have to trust that it’s there
somewhere.
Somehow
I have to find a way to believe
that God*
(*Allah, Buddha, Kali, Vishnu–
whatever we need to call the Divine)
is in his heaven
and all’s right with the world. ♥
Good but difficult reflection question, to me. Where is it not present (, to me, simply by virtue of being human(s)) and take the complement (i.e., see what(s)/might be left). Of course, opportunities exist for individual peace, in many unique/different ways, depending on one’s life circumstances.
Today’s quote from Giovanni Giocando says it all. “No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.” We are called to be the peace we seek. I always find myself smiling when Joseph speaks of his “essence.” It is a reminder that at my core, at any one’s core, we are always at peace. Thomas Merton called it the True Self. But it is so hard to get there and a life long challenge to live from there but as Joseph said today, “[Peace] is in his heart and his essence.” Today’s question and quote make me think of a poem by Ellen Bass. May we all attempt to live with such awareness
PRAY FOR PEACE by Ellen Bass
Pray to whomever you kneel down to:
Jesus nailed to his wooden or plastic cross,
his suffering face bent to kiss you,
Buddha still under the bo tree in scorching heat,
Adonai, Allah. Raise your arms to Mary
that she may lay her palm on our brows,
to Shekhina, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
to Inanna in her stripped descent.
Then pray to the bus driver who takes you to work.
On the bus, pray for everyone riding that bus,
for everyone riding buses all over the world.
Drop some silver and pray.
Waiting in line for the movies, for the ATM,
for your latte and croissant, offer your plea.
Make your eating and drinking a supplication.
Make your slicing of carrots a holy act,
each translucent layer of the onion, a deeper prayer.
To Hawk or Wolf, or the Great Whale, pray.
Bow down to terriers and shepherds and Siamese cats.
Fields of artichokes and elegant strawberries.
Make the brushing of your hair
a prayer, every strand its own voice,
singing in the choir on your head.
As you wash your face, the water slipping
through your fingers, a prayer: Water,
softest thing on earth, gentleness
that wears away rock.
Making love, of course, is already prayer.
Skin, and open mouths worshipping that skin,
the fragile cases we are poured into.
If you’re hungry, pray. If you’re tired.
Pray to Gandhi and Dorothy Day.
Shakespeare. Sappho. Sojourner Truth.
When you walk to your car, to the mailbox,
to the video store, let each step
be a prayer that we all keep our legs,
that we do not blow off anyone else’s legs.
Or crush their skulls.
And if you are riding on a bicycle
or a skateboard, in a wheelchair, each revolution
of the wheels a prayer as the earth revolves:
less harm, less harm, less harm.
And as you work, typing with a new manicure,
a tiny palm tree painted on one pearlescent nail,
or delivering soda or drawing good blood
into rubber-capped vials, twirling pizzas–
With each breath in, take in the faith of those
who have believed when belief seemed foolish,
who persevered. With each breath out, cherish.
Pull weeds for peace, turn over in your sleep for peace,
feed the birds, each shiny seed
that spills onto the earth, another second of peace.
Wash your dishes, call your mother, drink wine.
Shovel leaves or snow or trash from your sidewalk.
Make a path. Fold a photo of a dead child
around your Visa card. Scoop your holy water
from the gutter. Gnaw your crust.
Mumble along like a crazy person, stumbling
your prayer through the streets.
I love this poem. I included it in one of my connections of poems that include bicycles because of these lines:
“And if you are riding on a bicycle
or a skateboard, in a wheelchair, each revolution
of the wheels a prayer as the earth revolves:
less harm, less harm, less harm.”
Thank you for bringing it to us in this space.
Incredible poem,
dear Carol Ann . . .
it vibrates with the intentions written about
in ‘The Gentle Art of Blessing’
and something that I too practice.
Are blessings and prayers the same
or are they twins perhaps?
Both are sacred and holy
and necessary.
Thank you . . . ♥
In my neighborhood, with the green trees and shrubs I see out my front kitchen window and the back deck sliding door and windows. In our yard, where I hear birds twittering. In my home, where Tiggs the cat stretches out warm and soft on my lap while I read poetry, sip hot coffee my sweetheart made for me, and come to this space, where I also find peace.
Thinking of those whose lives can’t know peace due to war and other conflicts and holding them in my heart. Breathe in calm, breathe out peace.
Peace is present in the inhale and exhale of my breath. I think if I keep the natural flow of my breath constant I can be/stay peaceful. Sending peace and love to all.
On my office window, these succulents present a moment of peace. They look like they are pausing, but they are still actually growing. Peace is not about resting or pausing, but growing quietly, even when nobody notices it.
What a beautiful way of expressing this,
dear Ngoc . . .
I am deeply moved by this simple sentence.
“Peace is not about resting or pausing, but growing quietly, even when nobody notices it.”
It is peace itself. ♥
What a beautiful description of how plants live. I love this: “Peace is not about resting or pausing, but growing quietly, even when nobody notices it.” I’m writing that in my journal where I collect quotations. I always note who said the thing I want to remember so now you’re in my journal.
My Ngoc, quiet growth is the best growth. Sean and I share the same PM11 quarterly zen goal of expecting nothing in return. His slogan is “You get what you give.” It aligns perfectly with my stance on no agendas which Sunnypatti has said before.
I feel it now in my side projects as “MarLoc Gets Straight to the Point” returned to where it all started with only my name as I just finished coming up with my comedy song titled “Loc Gets Straight to the Point.” Circumstances are different now. I’m in a better place in my professional and personal life, especially the 2nd one concerning my love life. Even a lot can change within 1 day. 10 years goes beyond the imagination. I also remember having questionable circles as well which was so commonplace in an art environment. The need to be understood and fit in is very strong for artist.
Going full-circle also helps me keep my buddy systems under control. I’ve outgrown my rebellion days for the most part and am on the right track. Staying the course is another one of those things that sounds easy but takes practice. It all comes down to focus. Distractions are meant to be a stop gap. Buddy systems are a perfect example. Family>friends
As I sit here, in the early morning darkness, it’s very still and quiet. Peaceful. In this moment, I am holding peace in my heart and sending out peaceful energy into the world. I am grateful for this.
Charlie, I’ve heard before that it’s the best time for meditation. It makes sense with that still and dark environment as we wake up fresh from our sleep.
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Life is a bit hectic at work and also moving down stairs in my house. I do however hope to have a 5 day wkend on the sailboat over labor day wkend. My sailing partner is up in Ohio helping with that local disaster of a storm that went thru that area.
I believe
that peace can reign
somewhere
deep in every being,
every event,
every moment . . .
somewhere,
everywhere
in the world.
I can’t always find it,
especially
when something seems too horrific to look upon.
But it’s there,
somewhere,
as a kernel or a seed
or a molecule or an atom.
Easier for me to find,
peace spreads itself across a mountain valley
in the dusk of evening,
as shadows fall across the land,
and life settles down for the night . . .
peace washes over the garden
in the moment when day turns to night
and the fireflies come out to dance.
Peace rolls in like waves over my tired body
after a day of doing . . .
peace comes before sleep.
Peace
lives in the hardest heart of man
(and woman) . . .
it’s just the unlocking of it
that is a mystery,
and one that I surely cannot fathom,
but I have to trust that it’s there
somewhere.
Somehow
I have to find a way to believe
that God*
(*Allah, Buddha, Kali, Vishnu–
whatever we need to call the Divine)
is in his heaven
and all’s right with the world. ♥
I also trust that it is there somewhere… in everyone 🙏🏼
It is “all” humans have, so “all” is right with the world, I believe dear Sparrow.
You never fail to cheer,
dear Joseph . . . ♥
Good but difficult reflection question, to me. Where is it not present (, to me, simply by virtue of being human(s)) and take the complement (i.e., see what(s)/might be left). Of course, opportunities exist for individual peace, in many unique/different ways, depending on one’s life circumstances.
Today’s quote from Giovanni Giocando says it all. “No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present little instant.” We are called to be the peace we seek. I always find myself smiling when Joseph speaks of his “essence.” It is a reminder that at my core, at any one’s core, we are always at peace. Thomas Merton called it the True Self. But it is so hard to get there and a life long challenge to live from there but as Joseph said today, “[Peace] is in his heart and his essence.” Today’s question and quote make me think of a poem by Ellen Bass. May we all attempt to live with such awareness
PRAY FOR PEACE by Ellen Bass
Pray to whomever you kneel down to:
Jesus nailed to his wooden or plastic cross,
his suffering face bent to kiss you,
Buddha still under the bo tree in scorching heat,
Adonai, Allah. Raise your arms to Mary
that she may lay her palm on our brows,
to Shekhina, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
to Inanna in her stripped descent.
Then pray to the bus driver who takes you to work.
On the bus, pray for everyone riding that bus,
for everyone riding buses all over the world.
Drop some silver and pray.
Waiting in line for the movies, for the ATM,
for your latte and croissant, offer your plea.
Make your eating and drinking a supplication.
Make your slicing of carrots a holy act,
each translucent layer of the onion, a deeper prayer.
To Hawk or Wolf, or the Great Whale, pray.
Bow down to terriers and shepherds and Siamese cats.
Fields of artichokes and elegant strawberries.
Make the brushing of your hair
a prayer, every strand its own voice,
singing in the choir on your head.
As you wash your face, the water slipping
through your fingers, a prayer: Water,
softest thing on earth, gentleness
that wears away rock.
Making love, of course, is already prayer.
Skin, and open mouths worshipping that skin,
the fragile cases we are poured into.
If you’re hungry, pray. If you’re tired.
Pray to Gandhi and Dorothy Day.
Shakespeare. Sappho. Sojourner Truth.
When you walk to your car, to the mailbox,
to the video store, let each step
be a prayer that we all keep our legs,
that we do not blow off anyone else’s legs.
Or crush their skulls.
And if you are riding on a bicycle
or a skateboard, in a wheelchair, each revolution
of the wheels a prayer as the earth revolves:
less harm, less harm, less harm.
And as you work, typing with a new manicure,
a tiny palm tree painted on one pearlescent nail,
or delivering soda or drawing good blood
into rubber-capped vials, twirling pizzas–
With each breath in, take in the faith of those
who have believed when belief seemed foolish,
who persevered. With each breath out, cherish.
Pull weeds for peace, turn over in your sleep for peace,
feed the birds, each shiny seed
that spills onto the earth, another second of peace.
Wash your dishes, call your mother, drink wine.
Shovel leaves or snow or trash from your sidewalk.
Make a path. Fold a photo of a dead child
around your Visa card. Scoop your holy water
from the gutter. Gnaw your crust.
Mumble along like a crazy person, stumbling
your prayer through the streets.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful poem Carol.
I love this poem. I included it in one of my connections of poems that include bicycles because of these lines:
“And if you are riding on a bicycle
or a skateboard, in a wheelchair, each revolution
of the wheels a prayer as the earth revolves:
less harm, less harm, less harm.”
Thank you for bringing it to us in this space.
A wonderful attitude to practice. Thank you for that poem, Carol Ann.
Incredible poem,
dear Carol Ann . . .
it vibrates with the intentions written about
in ‘The Gentle Art of Blessing’
and something that I too practice.
Are blessings and prayers the same
or are they twins perhaps?
Both are sacred and holy
and necessary.
Thank you . . . ♥
In my neighborhood, with the green trees and shrubs I see out my front kitchen window and the back deck sliding door and windows. In our yard, where I hear birds twittering. In my home, where Tiggs the cat stretches out warm and soft on my lap while I read poetry, sip hot coffee my sweetheart made for me, and come to this space, where I also find peace.
Thinking of those whose lives can’t know peace due to war and other conflicts and holding them in my heart. Breathe in calm, breathe out peace.
The terrible flooding in Nepal – some of the videos look like an apocalyptic movie scene.
When the earth moves all below, in or around is no match.
I too,
think often
of those who know no peace,
dear Barb,
and like you,
hold them in my heart.
Peace is present right here in this now moment.
Enjoying coffee & toast, listening to classical music, I am in the midst of peace.
I am peace.
🕊️❤️
Peace is always available in the silence, even when I forget to abide there. 🙏🪷
So it is,
dear Clay . . . 🙏
Peace is present in the inhale and exhale of my breath. I think if I keep the natural flow of my breath constant I can be/stay peaceful. Sending peace and love to all.
Good reminder for me to breathe. It’s like the ebb and flow of the tide, or wind, or any act of nature, but right inside of our bodies.
Your breath is your anchor back to your peace. Something I share often in classes ☮️💜
Peace to you as well,
dear Mary. ♥
Mary, “1 breath equals 1 mind” Phil Jackson.
I’m sitting under a tree that has provided a lot of shade and reprieve this summer. It’s a peaceful tree.
When I read this I was picturing in my mind Shel Silverstein’s book ‘The Giving Tree’. I LOVED that book and loved reading it to my kids.
I thought of that book too! This tree reminds me of the Giving Tree. It keeps growing the most exquisite canopy for us to rest under.
♥
Love this.
Right now it feels very peace-filled in all my surroundings and in my body.
On my office window, these succulents present a moment of peace. They look like they are pausing, but they are still actually growing. Peace is not about resting or pausing, but growing quietly, even when nobody notices it.
this also stood out to me – “Peace is not about resting or pausing, but growing quietly, even when nobody notices it.” – thank you Ngoc.
What a beautiful way of expressing this,
dear Ngoc . . .
I am deeply moved by this simple sentence.
“Peace is not about resting or pausing, but growing quietly, even when nobody notices it.”
It is peace itself. ♥
What a beautiful description of how plants live. I love this: “Peace is not about resting or pausing, but growing quietly, even when nobody notices it.” I’m writing that in my journal where I collect quotations. I always note who said the thing I want to remember so now you’re in my journal.
Beautiful. Thank you Ngoc.
My Ngoc, quiet growth is the best growth. Sean and I share the same PM11 quarterly zen goal of expecting nothing in return. His slogan is “You get what you give.” It aligns perfectly with my stance on no agendas which Sunnypatti has said before.
I feel it now in my side projects as “MarLoc Gets Straight to the Point” returned to where it all started with only my name as I just finished coming up with my comedy song titled “Loc Gets Straight to the Point.” Circumstances are different now. I’m in a better place in my professional and personal life, especially the 2nd one concerning my love life. Even a lot can change within 1 day. 10 years goes beyond the imagination. I also remember having questionable circles as well which was so commonplace in an art environment. The need to be understood and fit in is very strong for artist.
Going full-circle also helps me keep my buddy systems under control. I’ve outgrown my rebellion days for the most part and am on the right track. Staying the course is another one of those things that sounds easy but takes practice. It all comes down to focus. Distractions are meant to be a stop gap. Buddy systems are a perfect example. Family>friends
FINALLY BEING DONE NURSING SCHOOL! AND ALSO PASSING THE LICENCING EXAM!
Congrats Louise!
How wonderful! Congratulations!
👏
Congrats Louise!!
Woohoo! Victory dance!
Congratulations,
dear Louise. ♥
👏👏👏👏👏👏
Congratulations Louise.
Congratulations Louise!
This is BIG news. Thank you for sharing with us.
Congratulations Louise!
Congratulations, Louise, you did it! 😊
As I sit here, in the early morning darkness, it’s very still and quiet. Peaceful. In this moment, I am holding peace in my heart and sending out peaceful energy into the world. I am grateful for this.
I am receiving the peace you send,
dear Charlie,
and sending you mine
in return. ((( ♥ )))
I am grateful for you, Charlie.
Charlie, I’ve heard before that it’s the best time for meditation. It makes sense with that still and dark environment as we wake up fresh from our sleep.
Peace is here and now. Just live today. Just love one hour.