Little Peace, Big Peace
As the youngest child in my family I have had the privilege of being raised not only by two very capable and loving parents, but also by older siblings who've taken the parenting role on like I was their own. While I didn't always appreciate their attempts at washing my mouth out with soap or reprimanding me at my own birthday party, the wisdom and guidance I've gleaned from them over the years has surely chiseled away my roughest parts.
With each sibling I've also gained what they would probably consider their better half. In my family, in-laws are not in-laws at all, they are just missing parts of the whole.
A few days after Christmas, still coming out of my See's Candy & tamale induced fog, I found myself huddled close to my 8 year old niece as we colored mostly in silence - she enjoying the quiet of her house, sibling free for the night, me enjoying the simple moment of quality time with this little person who won't be little for long.
Before long, her dad came home and began asking me about my life-where am I living (it seems to be changing a lot these days), how am I doing (great), is there anything new going on in my life (everything and nothing), etc. Usually these conversations start somewhere around "when was the last time you had your oil changed?" or "have you had your tire pressure checked lately?" but who wants to bother with car talk at Christmas time?! Tis the season!
After my update was complete, my niece and I still coloring, I turned and asked, "Roger, what do YOU think I should be doing with my life?" Without hesitation he said, "look kid, if there is one thing I've learned in life, it's the importance of being content. If you are content with what you're doing, the season you're in, then that's all that matters. You can't always control your circumstances, and it doesn't matter what other people think either, so long as you are content."
I've worked really hard these last few years at contentment. I've made an unofficial pact with myself to make the best of the season I am in, enjoying it for what it has to offer. My biggest desire is to one day look back at these years and feel like I lived them well.
Contentment can be tricky though. It's around every corner if you're willing to look for it, but often we run so hard and fast that we forget contentment is there, waiting for us. We run in search of what's next, forgetting to live in what's now. Now may not always be what we asked for, but it's what we've got.
Pause. Do me a favor and replace "content" with "peace." Now think. Where do you find peace in your day?
I find peace in small moments. I find it in my morning coffee, cuddly toddlers still waking up from their naps, handwritten letters in the mail, and pajamas when I get home at the end of a long day. I find peace when my favorite song comes on the radio and I can't help but dance it out. I find peace in girls night out and Sunday afternoon naps. These are small moments of peace that, if I'm willing to look for, lead to Big Peace.
What is Big Peace? Big Peace is what happens when all those little moments of peace in your day add up and remind you that you're ok, and you can make it, and you've got this. Big Peace tells you life isn't so bad and there is a lot to be grateful for and this season is not forever. My mom always says, "nothing good or bad lasts forever," and I think Big Peace agrees. It says to celebrate what's good right now and reminds us that the bad won't always be so bad. Big Peace is being content.
I wish this were an equation where you just plug in a grateful moment here, a cup of coffee there and *BAM* - content. Or even a check list...
Cuddly toddler - check
Dance party - check
Pajamas - check
Content - CHECK
But that would be too easy. Instead I try. I try to walk through life, not run. I try to stop and smell the roses when I have the opportunity. Literally though. One of my biggest career accomplishments this past year was teaching an almost two year old how to smell roses on our daily walks. It's those little moments of peace in my day - coloring with my niece or going on a long walk with a good friend- that bring with them a pause of contentment reminding me I'm ok and life is good and smiles feel nice.
So let me ask you again, where do you find peace in your day?