Peace

 

When we first began contemplating selling our country home, I sat on a stone in the middle of our big garden and wondered if I would be able find a connection to nature in town. I kept telling myself I should be able to connect with Nature anywhere. But I couldn't quite believe it.

Later, after selling the 30 acres we moved into a neighbor's basement with a view of oak woods and horse pasture. While watching her horses peacefully grazing one morning, I wondered if I would be able to find that kind of peace again.

I have.

Gazing at the woods one day before we moved everything in I found that peace and connection with Nature -- with the trees, and other beings there. Birdsong predominated even though I could hear distant traffic.

A couple of evenings ago I went to the backyard, where we had just planted a fair sized witch hazel and felt such deep peace -- even as a neighbor boy practiced his drumming in the garage next door.

Peace and connection are not dependent on where you are or what you hear.

Both are something that begin inside, in the heart, in the Soul.

What I kept trying to tell myself earlier is Truth. I am not separate from Nature, for I am Nature. We humans are animals born from this Earth. Can we, will we remember that?

And Peace is always inside us, we simply need to look for it there.

I try to pray for Peace in the world every night at 8 pm.

First: Peace be in my Heart.

Then: Peace be in every Heart.

Peace, Peace, Peace.

Then I sing, "Dona, Nobis Pacem Pacem."

"Grant us Peace."

Will you join me?

PS The photo is of berries growing on large shrubs at the edge of the woods that I have been unable to identify. If you know what the shrub is, please share.