As I write this I am looking out across the expanse of 1200 hectares of the most fresh, spring green urban wilderness. This is the back-yard that I share with countless other people and creatures in the area. The temperature is climbing to 30C at midday, more the likes of a mid-summer day rather than spring, but I will gladly take it as a warm breeze blows through the open window, the air heavy with the fragrance of lilacs that grow wild all around.
There’s a red-tail hawk soaring high above and two turkey vultures are gliding and swooping as though playing a game with the invisible updrafts. The swallows are darting and diving with what appears to be pure joy, and I can see a few dragonflies flitting this way and that as though they can’t decide where exactly they want to go. A pristine, pure white seagull with its blacked tipped wings sails effortlessly past my 12th floor window, poignantly conjuring up thoughts of a dear friend who I miss. This is the language of peace speaking to me, and such is the moment as I am observing it right now, my heart swelling with the blessings of being alive to experience it.
Just to sit quietly, the mind still and at peace, and watch the leaves sway in mass unison through the valley of trees below me is enough.
Enough for a happy moment.
Enough for a grateful heart.
Enough to live on if it’s our souls we are feeding.
Clearly though, to a starving person, sitting and watching the leaves sway in the breeze is not going to bring peace. Only a full stomach will do that. There’s no question in my mind that this should be the first order of any act of altruism, philanthropy, generosity, charity, or holiness. No growth, on any level, can commence if someone is starving.
To feed the people must be the first order if there is to be any semblance of a world at peace.
How does this basic, fundamental foundation for human well-being get passed over for other ‘more pressing’ priorities, like war, politics, or even education? In a world where there is so much of everything imaginable, including the technology and know-how to grow pure, good, organic food for every single person on the planet, it seems unconscionable that anyone need suffer or die from starvation in today’s world.
So, as I sit quietly writing these words, not having known what was going to come forth, I give thanks that because my stomach is satisfied, I am able to watch, listen, and observe what existence has to teach me, and always, without fail, the message is constant and consistent. It’s a quiet, hushed kinda message, one we can only hear when we’ve learned to turn the volume of the mind way, way, down.
It’s never about the shiny objects, or about what we can get, or about me, me, me, or how clever and intelligent we think we are or attest to being.
…and the still small voice said, “Only when the mind is still will the heart reveal its wisdom. Hush and listen for the peace. It may come to you disguised as someone hungry. Feed them. It may come to you as loss and adversity. Give. It may come to you as one who is afraid to love. Love them anyway. It may come to you as one who loves too much. Hold up a mirror for them. It may come to you as human shallowness. Show depth of spirit. It may come to you as yourself – fragile and vulnerable. Be gentle. But above all…know that peace speaks of humility. Bow deeply to your fellow travelers, and in your heart, kiss their feet with aching tenderness, for you will never truly know what their walk in this world has been like. All is the Beloved in disguise, and you hold this ancient memory. Hush…be still. Remember.”
With love,
Heather xo
Beautiful. I love this article. There is no more peace than nature and beautiful things like nature taking their course.
Thank you, Joshua. You are so right.
Nature is a great teacher and healer.
Many beautiful blessings,
Heather
Excellent post Heather. Thanks for sharing a moment in time with nature as you put the reader into that moment. You are a very talented writer. Have a great weekend.
Thank you, Wayne. So glad you enjoyed. Your comment comes as I enjoy a morning coffee while listening to the birdsong echo through the valley of trees. Life is such a blessing. Thank you for stopping by.
Blessings,
Heather
As I read this I thought of the struggles you have endured and am so happy you can have this peace in your life now! Thanks for sharing this time with us.
Such a thoughtful and kind comment, Brian. Thank you.
What I have come to learn is that the struggles are what carved out a path of peace for me. I had to learn how to find peace within regardless of circumstance. Struggles and problems will always be a part of being human I think, and I still can get stressed out if I let my mind take over!
Going within to the stillness though, creates a stillness of mind to deal with whatever comes up in life. I find nature to be such a brilliant mirror of that pure place of peace…constant activity and growth orchestrated within a silent, powerful, benevolent intelligence.
Many blessings for you,
Heather