Journal Entry 10-24-23

Daydreaming of Peace 1:03 PM

I sit at a small town cafe with neon orange chairs and sage green place mats.

Music plays lightly through the speakers and smells of cobalt and frankincense waft over from the store a few doors down.

“I think it takes courage to be present, I think it takes courage to trust”, my mind whispers.

I find myself wanting to give myself to the world, to its need for love and compassion.

I look around and see smiling faces, and gratitude for time shared with one another.

“Allow me to get that for you,” a man opens the door for a friend.

I find myself wanting to heal this planet, I find myself wanting to give her the medicine she needs.

A man grabs the hand of his wife and pulls her close.

Wind chimes and wind catchers catch the autumn breeze that drifts by.

Two women appear engaged in deep conversation, grateful to be together.

I believe it can be easy to get pulled into the despair of what is happening to the world around me.

How can I be love here? How can I be love now? What can I do to bring peace to this world?

I find myself wanting to give my everything for a world rooted in love and compassion.

My heart beats for peace; for shared baked goods, for laughter spread; for cultures explored

Beyond the barrier of language, beyond the silent words spoken, beyond what is left unsaid

I dream of laughter, I dream of dance, I dream of free produce, I dream of talking to trees, I dream of hands united

What can I do to be love? What can I do to be who this planet needs? How can I help a world faced with such pain? How can I shine so that others may feel my warmth?

God what can I do? Please tell me… God please help me be love…

God how can I be who this planet needs?

~

I see kindness in my server who brought my tea, in her smile as she wishes me a good day.

Across the road a man is visiting from Egypt, he is selling wooden ankhs and jewelry.

I admire the statutes of Sekhmet and Hathor

He puts jasmine oil on my sun and moon tattoo

The love that I see here exists everywhere in this world, it must.

Perhaps the actions of a few really do not pertain to the whole.

Perhaps we are much more connected than we realize.

Perhaps the love I seek already exists around me and within me.

Perhaps the answer to my questions have been in front of me all along.

Perhaps the peace I yearn for exists all around me in disguise, hidden under shadow

Perhaps all I needed to do all along was turn on the light

Love and gratitude always,

Gracie