We must have Peace. Its not an easy task. Its an obligation, a necessity. In order for us to have peace however, we must achieve peace within ourselves. Most of us know this. Either from posted slogans, reading about it or engaging in discussion and pursuit of peace with others. Or from actually experiencing how remarkably your life can change and resonate with harmony when your perspective changes, from a lens of peace. In a New York minute, life changes. Peace. Its not just a groovy sign from the 60s or a decal on a sweatshirt. Its sometimes a bittersweet chalk laden bevvie that demands being chugged. Thats right, chugged. Some circumstances require that we force feed ourselves, as kindly as we possibly can, in order to actually sustain a level of peace within ourselves that allows for all of the anger and the disappointment and the fear to be washed into, transformed by the elixir of peace. I have struggled publicly, privately and personally to uphold peace. Not just as an ideal, in my community or in my work but as a dally practice in the moments of my day deeply within me. Sometimes my public posts are my attempt to neutralize the contempt I actually feel in those increasingly rare moments when the suffering of the world, the suffering of my loved ones or the suffering of my own heart seems almost too much to bear. I may seem like I bare all here at times, but I confess what I present publicly does not always match my private state of being. I work so damn hard, tearing through my guts, nimbly separating the anguish of others from my own so I can arrive at that place where the air seems infused with life and hope. That place where I can look into MY world and see the darkness but simultaneously breathe in and exhale with sparks of light to reveal the vibrancy of my life. Letting the vigour and the colourful hues of hope spread out and surround me with each breath I take. This is not an easy task. These are merely words. The task, the deed requires my tears, the searing sword of my own voice, the brutality of honesty in facing my own selfish fears, my accountability to know I have a choice. Choose to do the things I know help to sustain my life, my peace of mind, my peace of heart, my peace within. Or not. If I choose not, then I should never be surprised by how easily I might trip over a simple bump in the road or get blown back to yesterday by a collision. I know better. Therefore, I must do better. I must be diligent in my work of achieving peace. Within me. Its all I CAN do. I cannot expect peace in my world unless I cultivate peace in the fire of my own belly. I can learn to wield that fire as a healing blaze, to illuminate my scars as proof of the alchemy of medicine. For Im still here. I can sit in the suffering of the world, deeply affected, and I can learn. To offer up myself with honesty and generosity. To recognize and honour those who are also willing to do the same. I can learn to not look away from the horror, but to gaze and observe, then accept the invitation that it offers, to choose once more. Humanity. Kindness. Peace. Love. Hope. Faith. Not as ideals, but as true human conditions. Im not here to don rose-coloured glasses. Im here to survive the best I know how and to serve, the best I can, in peace.
Posted on: Thu, 23 Oct 2014 03:30:13 +0000
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