A few weeks ago, a dear friend underwent an important surgery. I was quickly turning into the bundle of nerves I try to avoid at all costs. I mean, I really, really try not to be that bundle. Nervy Kim is scared, frustrated, moody, and unhelpful in ALL OF THE WAYS. It’s like I have my period, but chocolate, rest, and red meat will NOT help! Not even snuggles from Hubs will help.
Hubs notices my nerves but tries his best to say very little. Drawing more attention to my nerve bundle is, maybe, unhelpful. But, lately, I’ve been trying to put together a list of what actually HELPS. What really makes a difference in my body when I can tell that I’m nervous?
Exercise helps.
Doing something peaceful helps: breathing, yoga, meditation.
Breathing always helps.
But we all hit that moment, don’t we? The moment of no return, when the nerves are frayed, and we are simply not sure WHAT THE HECK to do with ourselves.
So, I took myself to Produce Junction. To the flower department (can we call it a department? It’s just a section. Ok, we agree, let’s call it a DEPARTMENT).
I took our 5-year-old with me, and told her to pick the most beautiful flowers she could find.
It’s winter in the northeast, and the cold, the grey, and the dreary are upon us. So, we needed FLOWERS. We needed to see COLORS.
We bought too many. More than we needed. We picked a variety and brought them home.
I made my friend an arrangement. It wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t symmetrical. But I made it with love. I tried to create something. I brought colors together, and they smelled really nice.
I’m not sharing this to brag. I’m not trying to sound like a good person. I’m selfish, really. I made something beautiful to help settle my own mind. But here’s the magic of life: the actions helped someone else, too.
This makes me think that when we are kind to ourselves, we can be kinder to others, too. Peace and creation breed more peace and creation for others.
So, why not share the peace?
What brought you peace today? Share the peace!
4 the Love of Peace 