Swans
Be Still
While looking at this picture, take some deep breaths.
Can you feel that peaceful evening vibe?
Enter that space and try to stay there for 10 minutes. Eyes closed and feeling it, or open and looking at the picture.
Read
You know that feeling at the end of the day when work is done, everyone has been fed and the laundry is in the dryer?
Or when you’re on holiday and you’ve had a good but busy day playing and swimming? The evening dishes are washed, everything is in order, and there’s still some daylight left. So you take a walk around your neighbourhood in the cool of the evening. Or go paddling in a canoe on the water that is now so still and glossy. Maybe you gather at the park or the beach to watch the sunset.
That peace. That satisfaction. That moment of tranquility.
You know the one I mean.
Let your whole body remember that feeling.
Did you know your body has a memory? It does.
And you can always do a little exercise like this to access it.
Achieving the ability to access peace isn’t a luxury.
Don’t put it at the bottom of the list of things to do. Peace isn’t situational. Sometimes the events of life make peace hard to find and maybe not even appropriate. There are times to be angry and times to be heartbroken; but on most days, finding peace makes everything you do and say better, kinder, and more productive. Peace allows you to see other people and situations for what they are. It can make space for creativity in so many areas. You’ll be more creative at work, in your relationships, with problem-solving and of course with your art.
Achieving the ability to access peace isn’t a luxury – it’s essential.
And you’re worth it.
It’s worth it for you to set aside time to develop the ability to access peace.
Like the swans. Paddling. Gliding.
Write
What makes a good day for you?
Write as much detail as you can about it. When was the last time you had a day like that? How can you plan to have one soon?
Describe in detail a place where you remember feeling deep peace. Where is your peaceful place right now? A cottage? A park bench near your house? A walking trail close by? In your car parked by the water? A special coffee shop? If you can’t get there right now, can you close your eyes and remember it and draw that feeling into each breath? If you can get there, make a plan to go soon.
Is there anything standing in your way of feeling peace, even for 10 minutes? Is there an uncomfortable situation you need to deal with? Is there an uncomfortable conversation you need to have? Can you have it first on paper just to get it off your chest? Maybe you can write about how you would like the conversation to go. Of course, you can’t control how others react but maybe you can envision a positive outcome. Also consider a negative outcome and then decide how you will go on after, knowing you tried and did your best. Use your imagination to think through the conversation with graciousness and openness and love.
Peace to you today.
