Thought for Today...Staying Peaceful....(With additions of course)

photo by my niece Marilyn

Thought for Today: Staying Peaceful: Desires cause peace to disappear. You think that acquiring things will make you feel secure, but the reality is that the more you have the more fear there usually is of losing it, and the further you are from peace. Desires are the cause of all conflicts. When you want something and cannot get it you become frustrated. Learning to be free from desires is learning how to stay peaceful. (from Thought for Today: http://www.thoughtfortoday.org.uk/ )


my musings.....


We've all been guilty of this at some point. As children it was; "If I only had that toy then I'll be happy". As a teenager it might have been, "If I could only be with that person, or in that group, then I'll be happy", as we grow the "If I had ______,then I'd be happy" change but the feeling of frustration and lack remains. It never seems to be enough. If by some chance we actually got; "that new car, the perfect partner, belonged to the perfect group, the most prestigious job," etc... then there lingers in the back of the mind:This isn't enough, I'm not happy,.... I've got to get more, I've got to keep all these things, how can I ..., then the "what ifs "start, ...what if I loose my job, what if I can't keep the car, etc.... Or worse yet, the "I need more..." We live in a constant state of stress and fear and very little happiness. There is little to no true Peace in our lives.


How true this is. The more we "strive" for Peace and happiness, the more elusive it seems. When we let go and just be with ourselves; be with our surroundings; just be with nature; just be,... Peace is there with us, we just have to let go and let the Spirit in....
photo by my niece Marilyn

Peace is the flash of a red cardinal flying by on a snowy day; the green of Spring reaching up through the ground, the beauty of a bee on clover... Peace is watching a wave break slide away and try again to catch the shore.... it is catching the beauty amongst the storm;... Peace is the laughter of a child,.... the smile from a stranger... Peace is a that rainbow that's just beyond the clouds... Peace is knowing you are Loved unconditionally (no strings attached) by God.... Peace is loving yourself (yes its OK for us; we are to Love ourselves as we Love our neighbors) ... Peace is the Light of the Son shine around you warming you to your soul,.... Peace is being content with who you are and what you have, right now, not in the past or in the future, but right now, this moment, this breath, this heartbeat... Peace Is......



may Peace be with you today and always... Nina P.

Life and Rainbows (inspired by an e-mail)

The rainbow pictures are the only ones I took. The others were in the e-mail that was sent around a few years ago.... I hope you enjoy!

I had to write this poem below; a Hand touched mine, so here it goes:

Life and Rainbows:

When you look at life with hateful eyes
all you see is fear and lies
If you look at life with eyes of fear
bleak and hopeless are always near
So look at life with Faithful Love
the Son shines on you from above
Your fear will fade and so will hate
look around and you'll see your fate
For on the bleakest of your days
you'll find something to be amazed

With one special moment or maybe event
like a family of ducks is what He meant

To look at life with Forgiving Grace
the wave you missed, the dolphins raced

When angered over catastrophic things
you survived because of Angels wings

So turn your stresses inside out
helping others is what it's all about

Look around when you're lost and alone
many new friends are near your home

Luck comes from love and those you touch
your life will change I know that much

When some look on and laugh and point
stand strong in Faith for He anoints

With Power and Grace you'll carry on
His strength you can always rely upon
His Rainbow is there we just have to look
after each hardship as He wrote in His book
So when life's been hard and you’re feeling down
that "Rainbow's" for you just look around

It may be a smile, some food, or His great art
a feeling of warmth that fills your heart.
Look at life with open eyes
a rainbow's there, it's His surprise
So let your breath be taken away
look for His Blessings in every day.
Written by Nina P. Ploetz 12/9/2006