Day 13: Peace
My husband’s 94-year old grandmother died on Monday and was laid to rest yesterday. She lived a long, full life and didn’t have a an extended illness beyond a few days. Although she was still fairly active, my husband’s mother, Judy (his grandma’s daughter), said that she was ready to go. She had mentioned to Judy a few months ago that she didn’t know why she was still on earth and that she was simply tired all the time.
She’s now at peace.
How do we find peace while we’re still on this earth? For me I find peace in being creative, such as painting, sewing, crafts, writing. I also find peace in allowing my mind to go into someone else’s world through books, movies and television shows.
Now that I think about it, what is peace? Is peace freedom from worry, responsibility or problems? How do we know when it’s arrived? Are we suddenly changed? Do we feel any different?
For me, I think that we will constantly be seeking peace, and that it comes in bits and…well, pieces throughout life. We have moments of peace and moments of despair. Anyone who seeks a life of constant peace is delusional. Life is full of too many ups and downs to be constantly at peace. However, with that said, I do think we should always seek peace because it does make those ups and downs easier to manage. I also think it’s important for us to help our loved ones find those moments of peace by not being their anti-peace and also providing support when needed.
I am, unfortunately, a constant worrier. I worry even when I don’t even realize it until it’s gone deep. I try my best to stop myself, pray and seek peace.
Thinking about David’s Grandma, I wonder if there was a point in the last week after her heart attack that she felt that peace. In the moment before she passed on Monday evening, was there that final moment where all of life’s worries were lifted, and she knew she was going home?
How do you seek peace? Do you find those moments where you’re worrying so much that you have to remind yourself to seek peace?
“The simplification of life is one of the steps to inner peace. A persistent simplification will create an inner and outer well-being that places harmony in one’s life.” – Peace Pilgrim, Mildred Lisette Norman
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Today’s recommended 31 Day Bloggers: 31 Days of Peace @ A Peaceful Crib
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enjoyed your perspective on this. The question you asked “what is peace? Is peace freedom from worry, responsibility or problems?” got me thinking because I too tend to be a worrier when it comes to certain things. In the literal sense no. I think you are right. Peace is not freedom from any of these things because life doesn’t exist without these moments. So maybe peace is not the freedom of these things, but a feeling we can have in SPITE of these things. Since the bible says He will give us a peace that passes all understanding. I think it’s a constant effort though-just as you mentioned.
I seek peace in the same ways you do (reading, painting, knitting, tv and movies..tv is a big one if I need to get my mind lost in something else). I guess I also find peace in connecting with nature or animals or in listening to certain kinds of music or playing an instrument. Daily devotional readings also help.
And yes, I can get myself in a tizzy with worry(usually if all alone -esp. at night if the house is dead quiet..that seems to be the worst for worry!) and I will have to try to go focus on something positive to drive those thoughts out when they come 🙂 It seems like we have a lot in common! Good post by the way.
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