Better one hand with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind. Ecclesiastes 4:6
Good morning, friend,
Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house. . . You fill in the rest. What are you feeling the day after? Relief? Sadness? Regret? Loneliness? What I can say safely say is that it’s over. No need to dwell on the yucky details. Speaking with friends yesterday and this morning, many of my dear ones had similar experiences. Sometimes, I think trying for a Norman Rockwell experience is very much like chasing after the wind. Better one handful of tranquility.
So how does this apply to this moment? This is no denying that our country, neighborhoods, and families are experiencing extreme stress. Political unrest. Violence. Covid overload, etc. In a church I attended for many years, the service ended with everyone joining hands and singing Let there be peace on earth. The last lyrics of the hymn remind us, and let it begin with me. Peace begins when we go deep within and find the calm under the turbulent storm. Practicing the Presence brings tranquility regardless of what is going on around us. Stillness. Peace. Calmness. Oh, Lord, let it begin with me. The storm continues to rage around me. I cannot control my circumstances in the outer, but I can go deeper and as I practice minute by minute returning to a centering Presence, calm sweeps over my soul, even if just for a moment. My dear one, I wish you peace in the new year. Don’t chase the wind. Just a handful of tranquility is enough for the moment. Linda
Good morning, friend,
Twas the day after Christmas and all through the house. . . You fill in the rest. What are you feeling the day after? Relief? Sadness? Regret? Loneliness? What I can say safely say is that it’s over. No need to dwell on the yucky details. Speaking with friends yesterday and this morning, many of my dear ones had similar experiences. Sometimes, I think trying for a Norman Rockwell experience is very much like chasing after the wind. Better one handful of tranquility.
So how does this apply to this moment? This is no denying that our country, neighborhoods, and families are experiencing extreme stress. Political unrest. Violence. Covid overload, etc. In a church I attended for many years, the service ended with everyone joining hands and singing Let there be peace on earth. The last lyrics of the hymn remind us, and let it begin with me. Peace begins when we go deep within and find the calm under the turbulent storm. Practicing the Presence brings tranquility regardless of what is going on around us. Stillness. Peace. Calmness. Oh, Lord, let it begin with me. The storm continues to rage around me. I cannot control my circumstances in the outer, but I can go deeper and as I practice minute by minute returning to a centering Presence, calm sweeps over my soul, even if just for a moment. My dear one, I wish you peace in the new year. Don’t chase the wind. Just a handful of tranquility is enough for the moment. Linda
RSS Feed