Peace is Always Beautiful

“Peace is always beautiful,” is a quote from Walt Whitman. Whitman, like John Muir, Rumi, Gandhi, Tagore and Thoreau - were seekers, and graced humanity with wisdom of their findings not only about the external, but about the internal.

Internal seeking equates, for many, to the quest for Inner peace. An inner peace not just as a fleeting moment during Tuesday morning meditation, but as a way to be. I’ve received hints through the whisper of leaves, the giggle of a stream and fresh snow on outstretched branches of a birch, that this way to be can permeate each breath, even as it lands softly on pain and struggle. It’s true-letting go of the struggle… accepting change. Seeing solutions. Turning inward for answers instead of outward for approval…it’s peaceful.

Inner peace is also about selectivity and focus-of choosing a backpack that is just the right size and shape so it doesn’t hunch your heart into hiding and inhibit the freedom of your step as you hike your path. Not being weighed down by excess duties and staying true to your dharma, you’ll have space to look and perceive and respond to life as a mountain hiker adjusts to thinning air as he reaches the peak. Glad she didn’t pack a heavier bag. Grateful for each breath.

As life continues to present opportunities to witness unpeacefublness, I am reminded to step into the woods, where I have learned from a tree and a trillium. They grow where they are planted, into what they were meant to be, with no excuses or pleas. They reach only for what sustains them. And in their own way, they nurture the living breathing planet without struggle, just by their own truth in presence. Simply. They stretch to sunlight, drink in raindrops, bend in winds, and shine beauty their own way.

“Peace is always beautiful.”

Peace to you and within you. May you have a beautiful season.

Namaste,

Sheri

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Sunrises

In early June I had my younger brother John up to a cabin. He had come a long way to be there with me. Where he traveled from, the sun rose over the ocean every day and set near the mountains. He could see them both from his porch. Here, in northern Wisconsin, was a small lake, not an ocean. There were no mountains-just a tree line that was sprouting furled leaves not long after the snow melted. And there wasn’t a porch with a view. You had to walk, with warm slippers and hot tea, out to the end of a weather-worn pier to catch the sunrise. Which I did, while he was there. I think it was the most beautiful sunrise I experienced in 2023. I’ve learned that life is funny that way; the seemingly unremarkable moments-can become exquisite when you know…they are fleeting. Or when you face the harsh reality, that they are gone. I never made it to his porch across the world, when he was alive, to share the views he wanted to share with me. But I’m realizi...

Rejection

A bit ago, the Arts Mill had a call for art for the BIG show. I was excited to participate-NSAA is near and dear to me. And it would be my first attempt to paint (and sell) a large canvas. I was pretty proud of the painting I created. I submitted it. It was not accepted into the show. It was REJECTED. I’m not going to pretend this didn’t sting. Or that thoughts of “well, it’s clear I’m not a painter. I wonder who I should donate my paint supplies to?” didn’t cross my mind. But I always go through the “poor me” stage. After all-being an author means that rejection isn’t new to me. When I dusted myself off from all of that, I asked the Arts Mill’s director, if I could pay her for a critique of my art now that the show (without my painting) was over. (I get critiques for my writing-why not have a critique on my painting?) She was straightforward and shared her exquisite wisdom in a gentle and kind way, which is the perfect blend for learning. The painting that came forth...

Grateful

I’m grateful for those… Who share sunrises with me, or send them-you renew in me a sense of hope Who hike the trail with me-you help connect me to what is true Who travel with me-to the store, on a trip, in a relationship, or on the journey of this lifetime-you help me experience the comfort of companionship Who have been hurt by me-and hopefully forgiven me, you’ve humbled and softened me to be better Who have been my teacher-you’ve expanded my perspective Who have left me-in a business, a relationship, from this life-you remind me what matters to me, and what I need to care for tenderly Who work with me-on houses, buildings, cabins, businesses and financial plans-you teach me teamwork and how to think wider Who have interacted from a distance-on social media with a comment, as a stranger handing me your child to hold for a photo in India, as a reader of my book somewhere I”ve never been-you’ve shown me how connections matter Who have left this life too early-you’ve shown me what...

Sheri Mabry Inc

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