On Being a Peace Thief

This morning, as I sit outside by the huge Pine (the one I had not liked when I first moved to the mountain, before we got know each other), the sound of so many birds swells my heart, and, despite the turmoil in the world, I cannot help but feel joy.

A lizard peeks over the concrete border between patio and wild grasses then scampers away; the Sun warms the back of my shirt mingling with the fresh, cool morning air brushing my bare arms; and the delicate wild hyacinths sway gently on their slender stems.

While what many call "the real world" appears apocalyptic, there are still these moments, these places and spaces of peace, moments where one cannot deny the soothing nature of, well... Nature.

I wonder if I am stealing them.

According to the culture, the media, my education (even my first astrologer), I am "supposed" to be tuning into the news, listening to the latest horrors and becoming more and more fearful and enraged. But I am not. I am outside, on the land, beginning my day, most days, tuning in to another form of media: the earliest, and most social: raw, unadulterated Life, growing, singing, scampering, hunting, shining Life, fille with beings who, for the most part, appear to live in harmony. While other living beings fight for food, shelter, territory and rights to mate, humans are the only species that kill one another over concepts and beliefs.

Maybe we'll survive longer if we follow examples of other living beings, those who have been here millions of years longer than we have, without destroying themselves and the planet that they live on.

As I sit outside, I write a detailed gratitude journal entry, describing the sweet scene I shared with you, and I wonder:

What would the world be like if more humans stole a little more time to observe Nature, taking, “stealing” moments if necessary, from the "real" world to breathe some fresh air, to listen to other-than-human beings, to disobey the fear-based thinking in order to feel a bit of stillness and peace of mind, to simply be, and by doing so, to reclaim our true, harmonious belonging in the natural world. Might we have less chaos and more connection, if not in the world, in ourselves?

If you try this practice, or if you have any questions or comments, jot 'em down below, or reach out to me here.

Love always,

Sage