Peace Be With You

Dear friend,

I like running. I like going to the movies. I like collaborating. I like having music on my Sonos at all times. I like looking at pictures from the past. I like hiking. I like reading. I like riding my mt. bike. I like going to church. I like camping. I like coffee. I like playing pinball. I like people. I like road trips. I like in-home picnics. I like seeing people succeed. I like being with friends. I like being alive.

Sometimes when I sit down to write you I can hone in on a challenge, difficulty, obstacle, frustration, disappointment or swirling emotion. Of course, I tend to find the angle on it that's positive, hopeful and empowering. Those things build character, test resolve and prove out our values. I am grateful for every single one of them.

Sometimes though it's nice to simply enjoy what brings us joy. I was on a podcast yesterday that focuses on connection. We briefly spoke of the societal trend of how loads of people connect around negativity - hurt, trauma bonding, dysfunctional pasts, disappointing relationships and the like. How exhausting.

I prefer communities built on hope, positivity and possibility. That's why I like writing you, Monica. I feel like you and me can agree that life has some challenges, but they don't define who we are or how we relate. We're the kind of people who are settled in the simplicity of peace. I like that about you. I like that about me. I like that what I like is a conduit for peace to expand in me.

CONDUIT

My lovely bride grew up Catholic and I have attended mass several times with her. It's very different than a non-denominational church, which is my background. They have this section where you turn to people around you and say "Peace be with you." And if it's your spouse or family, you kiss them. I love that. I support kissing in church. A kiss is a great conduit for peace.

What are pipelines of peace for you? When the tumultuous, unexpected interrupts your world, what grounds you? Heck, when daily normal life is hard, what keeps your heart settled? Knowing the pathways to peace is incredibly useful. It's not that we follow a path to go to it, it's that we put ourselves in a position where it comes to us. Or does it come from us?

MINDSHIFT

What if this week you daily dedicated a small portion of time to make sure peace was dwelling within you?

PRACTICE

When I fly I am always offered the opportunity to be frustrated. These days I don't take the bait and regularly remind myself what a privilege it is to get to practice patience. Patience is a super highway to peace. I've also incorporated a philosophy that it's better to wait to say things, that I feel like I need to say. Just wait. I can always say it... but once I do, I can never unsay it. That practice of waiting opens another avenue to peace.

I haven't gotten a steady paycheck from someone else in 17 years. I had a super cool opportunity that I sent a proposal for and got ghosted. It would have been a big contract and consumed the rest of my year. I really wanted it. I'm disappointed in myself and have had to watch my negative self-talk, which is uncommon. Reminding myself that faith and faithfulness has sustained me for almost two decades is another practice that opens the trail to peace.

MINDSHIFT

What if you created a heart map, like google maps (which I love), that gave you different roadways to get to peace? Name those streets, highways and bypasses.

RIP

I was talking with a friend this week and discovered he takes his family camping and uses a 10-person-size tent. I laughed. That's huge! He has four people in his family. I love camping. It's a bit ironic because it's inconvenient, lacks comfort, takes work, requires prep and the weather can impact the experience greatly. Conventional wisdom suggests peace comes from the exact opposite of all that. Yet sitting at a campfire in front of a tent is possibly the most peaceful place on earth for me.

Peace is readily accessible in the midst of any and all scenarios.

I like thinking about thinking. I like considering considerations. I like pondering possibilities. I like exploring emotions. I like the friction of facts and faith. I like wondering why. I like holding opposing beliefs. I like understanding and not understanding. I like you. And I like writing you. Thank you for letting me rest in peace through this weekly process. Apparently you don't have to be dead to RIP. Knowing and doing what we genuinely like is a satisfying route to peace.

SHIFTING

I hope this week you hop on a pathway to peace and it settles your heart and mind. Reality remains, but navigating it from a position of peace rather than fear, frustration or anger is preferred.#ShiftAway