Finding Peace

What are words exactly? I find myself thinking about this often, pondering the meaning behind the meaning behind the meaning. Perhaps it is my gender that propels me to this - although I would like to think not. What I would actually like to believe...or to see...is the action that follows the words. The proverbial proof in the pudding. After all, constructing pretty words, forming pretty sentences, creating a thought and putting pen to paper is an art form in and of itself, is it not? The artist holds the tools with which he manipulates and contorts his medium into something visually stimulating and thought provoking...does the same not apply to the vernacular?

These questions lead me around and around again in a vortex of though. Always returning to the simple refrain: remember to breathe. Patience. Peace. Love. Acceptance. The breath. The breath that is life giving and sustaining and sometimes choking and stagnant but so necessary in order to live.

A dear friend likes to tease me when I repeat my mantra. How can one forget to breathe?? she will joke. And my retort is always the same...that this is a simple reminder to stop...to listen...to remember that we are only human and that we are doing the very best we can in this life. Whether that very best is effectively translated into the world via the written word or it is an eye catching snake bridge winding its way across Broadway Boulevard. To each their own and may we all be blessed enough to find our way into Peace.

All

Sophia is sleeping next to me in bed. Her small body so peaceful and angelic. From the moment she was born she had the whitest skin that seemed like it was carved from pure alabaster, so smooth and flawless. Her body twitches as she falls deeper into slumber, muscles slowly relaxing after a hard day of play. Isn't that what summer is all about? Sleeping late, camp, swimming, new friends, skin turning berry brown.

When life seems to be unfolding layers and layers of unknown promises and I feel thrown in to the mix without a life preserver, it is moments like these that I cling to. The quiet times with my daughters and I and the dog at the end of the bed. They are my heart...dog included.

I look forward to sleep tonight. My head and heart feel exhausted. Trying to sort out the meanings to this secret mystery we call life. It certainly can't be figured out in a day, right! But at the close of each day I know I have given my all and that I will continue to do so again tomorrow. Sweet dreams.