I found the following from the December 2002 issue of the newletter of the Fiction Writer's Journey, Writer-to-Writer. I think it is fitting to reprint here...
"The other morning I was listening to NPR, National Public Radio, and they had a wonderful special. It was called "Where do you find peace?" The reporter had interviewed many people, from a 14 year old on up, and asked them where they found peace. The answers were so moving, I thought it would be a wonderful subject for submissions on our newly organized Writer-to-Writer for the holiday season.
If this subject touches a cord in you, please add your piece, whether it is a few words or an essay to the blog.
These are the responses I received in 2002.
Michelle Marissa, New Port Richey, FL
I find peace in the occasional early morning hours of a day when I get out of bed only to prepare my twig tea, lie back on my pillows and read a novel I can get deeply into. This is so peaceful for me because it's the only time of the day when the house is truly quiet of people and the TV blasting down the walls; it's when it's quiet enough to hear the birds chattering outside my window; and it's when my Calico cat, Mizzie, sprawls on my lap, falls into her cat-coma of deep sleep, and purrs ever so lightly. Starting my day this way never fails to balance my soul, preparing me for a peaceful and productive day.
Moira Brown, Scotland
Peace is... the hush before dawn.
Peace is... the garden in spring, summer, autumn, winter.
Peace is... a bird singing its heart out for the sheer joy of living.
Peace is... listening to the silence and letting your heart fill with the blessings life has showered on you.
Peace is... holding a loved one's hand.
Peace is... the comfort and companionship of a good book.
And when peace is disturbed , fractured, scattered to the winds by all the evils that men unleash on our confused world - remember the old, Celtic rune that says, 'Let peace begin with me.'
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
I believe that the only way to find peace is from within. Unfortunately our culture puts a negative meaning on detachment. Its "true" meaning for me is to not only recognize that I have a boundary but that I must nourish the soul within that boundary; I must search for peace and nourishment for that inner place so that it can, then, nourish those other spirits (husband, children, friends, work) outside of it. This is not selfish. This is what we were put here to do.
In our culture it takes some doing to truly understand at a gut level that we are not our spouse, nor our offspring, nor our work, nor our car or house. All we are is our feelings and awareness.
Each of us must learn to nourish (find peace) in our own way. For me the food of life is a visit at some beautiful gardens near by, tea with friends, a bubble bath, time to exercise, prayer and meditation. (Not necessarily in that order!)
I believe that my writing comes from my soul and that the more closely aligned to soul it is, the better it is. In addition to getting in touch with the universe--with feelings--I must find time to write. For me there is even a difference between writing. Some is a necessity or work-writing. Some is love or creative-writing. This note is love-writing. To all you fellow writers at Christmastime. May we remember who we are so that we can give that someone at least as much caring and love as we give others.
Margaret Martin
This comes from a long history of family full of cancer victims. So I would have to say I find my peace at the end of a dirt road leading up to a garden of marble and stone where I can sit and talk and they all listen. my dad, my favorite aunt and favorite uncle and grandfather. I just say that when i am with them that it is really a feeling of emotion release because i can laugh with them cry with them and can get angry with them. But one thing that remains the same is with the faith of god. We all can still be filled with peace.
Karolina Mjeda
When I was four, I loved to play church. I would stand outside a closed
room, reflecting on the noises that surrounded me in contrast to the peace
behind the door. Pressing my toe against the door and wrapping my hand tight
around its handle, I prepared myself for the world I was about to enter.
Slowly, quietly, I opened it and stepped inside. Carefully, respectfully, I
shut it behind me. I was now in church, and had to be quiet. I didn’t think.
I didn’t even pray. I just tiptoed around the room, delighting in the
creaking of the floor. The distant noises of the world from which I had
escaped drew farther and farther away, and soon there was nothing but me,
and the peace that is God. I would play this game, going in and out of the
room, several consecutive times. As I grew older the game lost much of its
magic.
I grew up. A room was just that, silence became uncomfortable, and God
changed into an abstract concept in which I believed, but wasn’t quite sure
why or how. This continued until I recalled the game I enjoyed so much when
I was little, and the realization of how much I missed the feeling of just
being, hit me like a ton of bricks.
When I am outside, in the peace and quietude of nature, there is a simple
(but not easy) principle that I strive to practice. It is the following:
Time stops here.
This principle is achieved through three important steps:
1. I either take off my watch, or forget that I’m wearing it,
2. I allow all feelings of obligation, hurry, and distress to dissolve out
of my mind and being every time I exhale, and
3. I allow the timeless stillness of nature to take charge of my mind and
being. When time stops, life begins. My imagination is free to wander
wherever it wants. I receive inspiration for poetry, novels, stories, as
well as strength to carry on. No cheating is allowed. I am not to consult my
watch until I return indoors. Furthermore, I am not even to think the
question “What time is it?”
Remember that no one has time. We are all born into it without choice, and
we can’t govern time’s course. Those who seem to “have” time, make it.
Since I’ve decided to free myself from the slavery of the watch, to take
charge of time’s role in my life, every day and every place has become
sacred, and I once again know the peace that is God.
Teresa Muzio Caminata
Great floods have flown
From simple sources.
William Shakespeare (All's Well That Ends Well)
I cannot move
right now I see
but not because I can't
I cannot move
right now because
it's better that I shan't
the silence felt
surrounds my head
a golden halo bright
it seeps into my soul
asleep
and says
awake! it's night
be still it whispers soft and sweet
your heart can see this only
the secret place where motion sleeps
it is a place most holy
it is the place your heart finds rest
inside your inner being
it is the place your soul will go
to meet god at its best
Elder Coates
I have very few words to say on it, but it is a subject I was just
recently thinking about deeply. It is easy to find transient pleasure, but that isn't peace- it is just a brief covering to what we are really feeling. I've only found true peace in love for others. The more I think about others, and involve myself in their needs, the more and more truly I am at peace. I have found that without others in the equation, the best I can achieve is contentment. And I think only those who learn to love others can appreciate the difference between contentment and true peace. You may feel you are at peace enough keeping to yourself and a good book on a quiet day, and that is all right, but don't settle for just being content.
