“Peace is not the absence of trouble, but the presence of love.”

Unknown

The words on the car radio, “rushing around to buy Christmas peace”, woke me from cruise control, on an all too familiar road paved with habits that have destroyed Christmas peace over the years. Yes, a joyful season for many, a soulful time for others.

This season, my emotions fluctuate between euphoric happiness wrapped in idyllic ribbon and melancholy that crashes on the shore of unfulfilled expectations. The toll of time follows the current inflationary climate. As I wander through the valley of wonder again, I ask myself, “Do I, also, demand more than can be supplied?”

What we often strive for, hangs like an elusive ornament on the tree of discontent. For years, I sought to fill a longing that could never be satisfied by buying or doing. I remind myself that I discovered peace in simply being.

Being content, being humble, being kind, being loving, being understanding, being gracious and grateful. And most of all, being still.

The greatest peace exists in the stillness that has been given to us freely. And that is a gift beyond compare.

So, this year, rather than count my resentments one by one, and scurry around trying to fill a voracious void, I will count my blessings two by two. I will remember that the most precious gifts cannot be bought, they are those that can be felt with the heart.

Wishing you all peace this season,

© Erika K Rothwell

As many of you know, I write to heal and to feel. For those interested, I have posted a new poem, Broken Ornament as I rode a wave of sadness, knowing there is peace in acceptance that often makes way for more positive feelings.