Peace that’s always within reach

 A new day dawns over the hills of Woodstock, Vermont. (Gareth Henderson Photo)

In the open air of nature, there’s a particular freedom all around. I look up at the trees, watching the branches sway in the wind, and a sense of calm pervades life in that moment. All is still, and at peace. 

Today, as we move closer to a new year, such a peaceful moment feels very far away from the conflict and unrest seen around the globe. While the promise of “Peace on earth, good will to men” seems well out of reach, the truth is that peace begins right here, in our very hearts. It starts with – and grows from – the good qualities we express to our neighbors and the world around us. With that as a starting point, we each have the precious opportunity, each moment, to cultivate peace right here and now, and to let that goodness and love ripple out to every corner of our homes, our communities and our world. 

To see peace in action doesn’t take lots of time, it only takes that genuine, open door of thought, where we allow quiet, calming moments to take root, and settle us. In that space, a light breaks forth. It shines, it radiates goodness — and we’re able to see it grow. Like the trees swayed by the wind but also illuminated by the sun, we, too, are ever-capable of taking in the light of good and gracefully moving ahead, despite whatever headwinds confront us. There will be challenges, but in this world, we’re surrounded by others who are reflecting that same goodness and looking for that light. And we’re always capable of reflecting and sharing it for the benefit of all. In this way, we witness a sense of peace that’s always within reach.

— Gareth Henderson