Peace – Luxury or Necessity
This morning I opened my email to find a note about Summer Minor, a mom who could not be located – and left a suicide note for her friends on the internet to read. As I write this she is “alive, being hospitalized for depression” and has not taken final action to leave 3 children – the lights of her life, the earthly experience of intense pain, and many mothers who are willing to help her if she wants to work through whatever she is facing.
Shortly after reading about her I felt a sense that she hung herself, or was seriously considering it. Whenever I feel a stagnant, pressure-like feeling in my throat the first thing that pops to mind is the throat chakra… the energy center of divine vs. personal will.
Every life issue runs through this chakra – Everything. In each breathing moment we are presented the opportunity to align our will, our choices with that of Life – the Creator – What Is. While we have different ideas about how things should be, arguing with reality never works. They are as they are in the moment AND we can work to change our experience.
It is not always easy.
Life can feel complex, like it’s running us down – like we are both deeply alone and being attacked by everyone and everything.
Many years ago I read a poem about change that I held onto…
Start With Yourself
When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.
But it, too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me. But alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: if I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.
-Anonymous
I have wanted to change the world to a peaceful one since I was a very little child. I realized many years ago I must start with myself, but the desire to help others never left. As my husband says, world peace through inner peace.
Do we think that peace is a mere luxury that we get to experience based on circumstances? Money, possessions, friends, well behaved kids, a relationship, the love of another, or something else. We don’t need to pretend that we are “above” the false idea that circumstances bring peace. We do benefit from being very aware of it, though, so we can cultivate true inner peace – that leads to outer peace in all of our thoughts, words, and actions… the world.
“The peace within becomes the harmony without.” -Joel S. Goldsmith
Whether we realize it or not, it is peace that we want. Good friends and lovers can support us along the path – that’s for sure. The fact that Summer felt comfortable enough sharing her pained life experience with so many real and virtual friends demonstrates the need for true, compassionate community. Parents need each other. We weren’t meant to do this alone.
Inner peace comes when we decide that it isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. We shift our focus from the pain to what we want, even if for only an instant. We catch a glimpse of what it feels like and we allow it to pull us along (instead of following the down trodden, heavy thoughts that lead to depression and suicide)… inspiring practices such as meditation or centering prayer, reaching out to receive help in developing awareness so we can make changes, healing our wounds, participating in activities to promote inner and outer peace, and exercising our own power in each moment to fully recognize true peace inside of ourselves.
It’s not always easy, but it is possible. And it’s worth making every effort to experience.
It is a fundamental right.
As Richard Moss says…
“There is a work to be done, a teaching to be lived, and no one is exempt.”
That work is your work, our work – to heal the planet by starting with ourselves.
If you are a parent or someone who is considering suicide, facing depression, just want to talk, or know someone who is experiencing lows in life, please feel free to contact me or read this. You are not alone.
