Creating Day 18 - Peace

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

#reverb13 Day 18: Peace

I am often surprised where I find peace, it is usually in the midst of chaos.

In the midst of living, did you find moments to breathe? Were there moments that held you in the embrace of peace and quiet and pure contentment? 

Did these moments catch you by surprise or did you create the space for peace to find you?

Thank you, Liz!

I want to add: how will you make space for greater peace in 2014? Because it’s hard to imagine anything more important.

One of the cards displayed at my home

I had to laugh at loud when I saw this prompt this morning.  Peace.  Today is my oldest daughter's 16th birthday.  Happy Happy Birthday Alex!

Peace.  

A picture of my Alex from 16 years ago :)

That is what I have been wanting to create all year in the midst of the chaos that comes with real life and teenagers.

Where do I find moments to Breathe?

I get up at 5:30 am (needs to be 5 but geez - really???)

I start my day with my yoga practice and usually by the end of the routine when I'm in relaxation pose I am awake and I am able to take a deep breath of peace.  I breathe in peace and breathe out my gratitude.  At the very end when I'm in prayer pose I take a few moments to send out love and blessings for all my family and friends - definitely a place of peace for me.

Did I have moments in 2012 that held me in the embrace of peace and quiet and pure contentment?

You bet,  every time I am conscious of Mother Earth and her bountiful blessings.  When I notice the way the  sun sparkles of a leaf.  Or the Sun rising and showing us her glory.  Even just this morning coming out to the beautiful full moon still shining bright as the hues of the sunrise pink and purple started to surround her.

The full moon this morning

I also find peace in my animal friends.  When I walk outside and a deer greets me with the reminder to be gentle with myself and others and to love on another.  When my cats deem it an appropriate time for a petting :)
When Merlin lays quietly beside me as I work on the computer - content just to be.

My first sip of hot tea in the morning - ahhhhh.

At the end of the day I do my best to catch a moment of peace in a hot Epsom salt bath and have a few minutes to read or just close my eyes and relax.

I so value Peace and when I reflect I do a pretty good job of creating some space for it to appear in my life even in the midst of all the busyness and chaos. 

How will I make a space for peace in 2014?  This is something I've been contemplating - especially between Alex and I as hormones rage and sometimes logic doesn't.

Where can create peace in our relationship (and others) and in turn our home and myself?  



I can remember to Breathe.  To remind myself to look for the good and count my blessings/gratitude every day.
  

I can create moments to have quiet time together and just be without an agenda or tasks that need to be done.


I can be fully present when we are together.

Peace is possible :)  As I write this I am reminded of a mini ceremony that happened every Sunday when I was growing up where during mass everyone greeted each other with "Peace be with you" and the response, "And also with you!" usually given with a hug or warm handshake.  A memory that makes me smile.

Imagine Peace Photograph by Sharla Gentile - Imagine Peace Fine Art ...

Peace be with you,


Christine