The history books are full of our quests to protect our peace and freedom. We desire it so much it's the topic of countless songs. From 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' to 'What a Wonderful World' to the protest songs of the sixties to 'Imagine' to 'Heal the World'; the list of peace songs is endless.
Though I haven't watched beauty pageants in decades, I remember once upon a time, the contestants were often asked if they could have any wish granted, what would it be? There was always that one girl who said, "World peace." But, what is peace?
Peace is defined as:
1. a state of tranquillity or quiet: as
- a. freedom from civil disturbance
- b. a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom
2. freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts
3. harmony in personal relations
4. a state or period of mutual concord between governments and/or a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity
5. used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
Of course, we all want and desire world peace. Freedom from conflict, hostility, aggression and the horrors of war. We'd be insane and inhuman not to. But I want to go to that first definition of peace above: a state of tranquillity or quiet.
Once upon a time, my husband and I didn't have that at all. Locked into high-stress jobs, we did what every one else feels they have to do in this country--chase the American Dream. The idea of living a life in pursuit of constant entertainment, perpetual busy-ness, continually trying to keep up with the Joneses, and beating ourselves to death to pay for a house and possessions we never had time to enjoy is anathema to us now. We look back and wonder why we did that for decades. It wasn't fun or very fulfilling, and we gained little by doing it. In fact, we lost health and well-being.
We've grown so accustomed to our now quiet life we've chosen, we would never (even if we physically could) go back to the life we used to lead, racing around at breakneck speeds, stressed to the max...I'm exhausted just remembering it.
Occasionally, we're asked, "But what do you guys do now (that we're retired)?" as though we're somehow wasting our time. The implication is that we should be living it up, running here and there, frenetically filling our days with activities of one sort or another. Perhaps we should be joining senior clubs...getting involved in this or that...generally exhausting ourselves living the high life, I guess. To each his own, but to us that is neither tranquil nor quiet.
My husband and I get up and have our cups of coffee. It's our favorite time of day. In good weather, hot or cold, we enjoy that coffee outside as we watch the world wake up: the slow dawn coming over the hillside to our east, the first chirps of the birds and the rustling of tiny creatures greeting the day. We watch the light change the color of the sky and the clouds as it ascends. We hear the leaves whisper as the sun strikes them, sending its warmth throughout trunks and roots. Everything is alive! Yet, comparatively still. This morning routine sets the tenor of our halcyon days.
Recently, I was trying to describe to someone my pure joy in that first morning cuppa, how nurturing it feels, how I take deep pleasure in the aroma and the leisure of the entire ritual. It's learning to 'stop and smell the roses' again. Learning once again to take child-like delight in the small things that as younger adults we're too busy to appreciate. We tend to get so caught up in our daily routines that we become extremely distanced from those little things. They fade into obscurity until they almost take on the aspect of a myth or legend. No longer real...
But they are real. We need to pay attention to those things. They've been there all along, just waiting for us to stop, look and listen. I've come to believe that all the quiet little joys my husband and I now so deeply embrace are an antidote--the cure to the headaches, stress and misery brought on by a pressure-cooker life. I love this serenity. I need it!
In this holiday season and throughout the year, I wish for everyone to be able to pause long enough in their pursuits to recharge and 'smell the roses' once again.
I wish you all
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." ~ Matthew 5:9
"We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace within ourselves." ~ Dalai Lama
"Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." ~ Buddha
"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one." ~ John Lennon
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