Expressing Peace. Rain’s Peace. 84.
Rain
Weather forecast for today and tomorrow: rain. Steady, needed, welcomed rain.
Not everyone’s Gene Kelly. Some see downpours as interruptions, showers as bothers, and even drizzles as nuisances. There’s no poem asking the sun to go away and come again another day.
However, rain does provide peace in many ways, many forms, and many meanings. What kinds of peace does rain bring?
For the farmers rain nurtures the crops.
For the child it fills the puddle, invites the splash.
For the poets rain is God’s tears, monotone music, dancing on the roof.
For the lover it hugs the outside closer in around.
For the gardeners rain springs flowers.
For one forgetful it fills the birdbath.
For birds rain forgives the forgetful.
For the artist it lays gray on gray on gray.
For the drivers rain whispers, “Take care.”
So many peaces it provides. What peace does rain bring you?
Sweet Showering Spirit,
the beauty and the peace,
the music and the calm,
the embrace and the kiss
of your sweet rain
are so many gifts.
We sing our gratitude
for all these showers
of your love upon us.
We drink the blessings your rain
brings us.
We bathe our lives in thanks
for what appears magic, science
and what is really your Peace
expressed as drops of peace
we may receive.
And so it is. Amen. Amen.
Enjoy the rain. Express Peace.
In: Beauty, Forgiveness, Healing, Inner Peace, Life, Music, Peace, Prayer, Thanksgiving · Tagged with: Forgiveness, Peace, praying, spiritual simplicity
Expressing Peace. Whispurr. 83
Whispurr
I am asleep on my back when Whispurr gently steps — one paw a time — on my chest. She settles with her forefeet tucked between her sternum and mine. Almost awake, I recall our just-as-gentle first meeting. At PetCo in Sterling, VA., 2001, I said OK to the volunteer’s invitation to “just see how it feels to hold one of the adoptable cats”. Scarcely a year old, the tortoiseshell at once stepped from my arms to my shoulder, put her face against my ear and purred. Loudly.
Almost 14 years later, she lies on my chest, heavier and her purr is just as loud.
Peace travels with Whispurr. All the poise a cat’s supposed to have. Only a fraction of the aloofness. None when she wants to be petted. Her timing is spot on.
I finish meditating and lay down my mala beads, her paw presses my thigh. That’s her “let’s trade some peace” greeting.
When I’m journaling, she jumps to the right arm of my chair and perches like the NYC Library lions. Without looking at me, she says “I bring you peace.”
As I heat the milk for coffee, Whispurr comes to my feet, waits to be gathered up and held for what’s left of the 49 seconds. Her cuddle affirms, “Isn’t peace good!”
If you’ve a pet, you likely know the peace it brings and shares and asks a touch of in return. If you’re without a pet, you likely know such peace from family or friend or your chance to encounter others. From whomever, however, whenever, it’s precious peace.
Good Friend Who Brings Us Friends
in so many ways and shapes and forms,
we thank you for the blessing.
A cat’s soft purr and brush against our leg or arm
gives us your Peace,
takes our peace in return.
A dog’s tail wagging and body wiggling
for some play or just a moment’s notice
lets us know peace from reaching out,
gives us Peace for opening up.
We share a hug, a handshake,
a passing smile or just a nod which
blesses: “namaste”.
We share your Peace with others
and receive their peace into our peace-full bounty.
We love you Presence, in all its forms.
And thank you, GOD.
And so it is. Amen. Amen.
Enjoy Peace. Express Peace.
In: Christ Spirit, Happiness, Home, Life, Love, meditation, Peace, Prayer, Praying · Tagged with: Christ, God, Love, Oneness, Peace, praying, spiritual simplicity
Expressing Peace. Walking. 82.
Peace Walking
Walking has powers to soothe any sort of distracted mind. Walking is our vehicle to peace.
Came home from work early as I could not get anything done amidst distractions. Had to put final touches on a course I’ll deliver virtually to a group of technicians in Amsterdam.
Tomorrow morning: 3 a.m. to noon, my time.
The course is ready. Expressing Peace #82 is not. Or, I should say, was not. Not until I took a turn around the block.
I started walking sure I’d receive some idea-spiration for today’s topic. Almost like I was walking through the forest but couldn’t see the trees. Perhaps 50 strides into the walk and all distractions were gone, including the question of “Will I get to sleep early enough to get enough rest before I’m up and talking at 3 a.m.”
My breath fell in step with my feet. My heart loved my rhythmic contact with earth, over and over and over. My mind spent only the energy needed to appreciate not having to spend any energy. Yesterday’s Oneness was today’s walk.
When I took on this delightful 100 Day effort, I didn’t intend to give advice. I meant to share the (many!) ways peace enters my life and lets me know I AM Peace. I meant to tickle your discernment of the infinite peace that lets you know You Are Eternal Peace.
But, hey, today I’m giving some advice. Treat yourself to a walk.
Walking Partner,
how sweet to know no step is without you.
How strong it feels that the song is true:
we never walk alone.
The joy each step brings as I lift and plant,
lift and plant, carrying myself someplace.
And know you’re guiding me wherever.
With power we do this act
we take as simple yet is distinct
from how other types of being
move themselves from here to there.
Each step a moment:
separate from the one before,
separate from the one to come.
Each step a moment to be celebrated
for the peace it brings us to.
And so it is. Amen. Amen.
Enjoy Peace. Express Peace.
In: God, Inner Peace, Oneness, Peace, Prayer, Praying · Tagged with: Joy, Peace, Prayer, praying, spiritual simplicity
Expressing Peace. Oneness. 81.
Oneness?
“It is in this awareness of oneness that we find our peace.” (Practicing the Presence, Joel Goldsmith)
For me, Goldsmith’s statement brings up the conundrum: Which came first…?
It is not a troublesome conundrum. In fact, I rather enjoy it. Which does come first: awareness that we are One as Spirit or the experience of Peace (Spirit)?
I feel certain that for half of us (plus or minus half again), the awareness that we are One with GOD creates our fulfillment with Peace. For the other half (give or take 50%), we experience in our hearts true Peace which tells us clearly of Oneness.
I am even more sure that for me it doesn’t matter which comes first. Oneness = Peace = Oneness = Peace…..
How about for you?
Good Friend GOD,
I gladly put aside my mind,
my human curiosity about cause and effect
and process and procedure
and the order in which things happen.
I lean back in the joy of knowing the truth
that you and I are One
and in that One is everyone
and every thing
and every place.
Knowing that surrounds me, fills me with Peace.
You and I are Peace
and in that Peace is everyone
and every thing
and every place.
Knowing that reminds me, secures me
that we are One.
Thank you, GOD.
And so we are. Amen. Amen.
Enjoy Peace as One. As One express Peace.
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