in the midst of the paris tragedy . . . . peace

in the midst of the paris tragedy . . . . what do we find peace?

true peace comes from within; we can't expect to have someone else 'make our peace'.

even when that peace is not perfect, if we are working on safe waters in our lives, and if we are seeking to make sure that our ports are open and welcoming and safe, we are working to ensure peaceful measures.

in central california, peace is coming to us in the latest of two rain storms; the latest included thunder and lightening.  some experienced power outages -- not what one would call peaceful -- and yet, the peace of rain from a long season of drought cannot be denied!
 

and so this picture of raindrops reminds me that I still have a yard that has living plants -- now doing better because of the gift of rain.  that simple realization is an act of peace.  even as i know that weeds will grow because of the rain, i am at peace.

i can only imagine my life disrupted and in turmoil over terrorism!  even after 911, with new york closer than paris it does not matter!  turmoil anywhere causes us dis-ease; i have been to both of those cities . . . i know people in both of those cities . . . my heart aches.

even with the rain, and the peace i feel in the storm, i am not yet fully at peace, because our world is not yet at peace.

how can i live with this turmoil?  pray through it, i have been taught -- i teach that!  breathe in that peace; be the change you want to see!  breathe out the elements that get in the way of finding and living and offering, peace.  such peace is not easy; the really important things in life rarely are!  but that 'peace that passes understanding' is so worth the effort!

many say we do not have seasons in california, but we do!  i image peace as i walk in the morning -- this tree, full of autumn colors, was vivid after the rainstorm, in the early sunrise after my morning walk, following the end of daylight savings time.  the 'awe' of peace.

paris . . . the city of trees; the city of light.  surely a city with so much to offer should never be a target, but a destination.  surely no place with a heart for life should be a target . . . and yet our world  . . . so many people experience the loss of peace in their heart; their minds clouded by images of distress and hatred.  is their longing for peace not like my longing for peace?

how will we find peace, together, before we destroy the only living home we are likely ever to have?

i remind myself that i cannot make peace for others; i am not that powerful; but i can be the change within myself that i want to see in the world.  the color of peace would be a rainbow where there is plenty of room for all.

i was visiting with friends last week-end; finding peaceful time to relax and visit and work together to complete this cat puzzle (below).  i realize now in a different way -- even as we realized last saturday, how difficult it is to distinguish the colors, and to place the pieces in the 'right' space . . . there were times when we thought we had the 'right piece' only to discover that we were mistaken.

what is the 'right piece'?  could it be only the 'ultimate peace'?!  i believe that is true.  in an effort to make all the pieces fit, we cannot be anxious or forceful or disregard the time it takes to "make peace".  peace is on-going, and peace is an effort we cannot stop.  let peace begin . . . within the self.  may such peace expand into the world . . . this is my prayer . . . .