Peace and Love
![lit lantern against dark background]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1733416076/highmowingorg/vo9uw9svac04remhkjmg/pexels-weekendplayer-63507.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1733416076/highmowingorg/vo9uw9svac04remhkjmg/pexels-weekendplayer-63507.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1733416076/highmowingorg/vo9uw9svac04remhkjmg/pexels-weekendplayer-63507.jpg","width":600}])
Peace and Love
Sherry Jennings
It is December in New England, the outer darkness is growing, eating the light one minute each morning and nibbling away again in the evening. In our souls this encroaching darkness can arouse dark thoughts and feelings — fear, anger, overwhelm, hopelessness, grief, sorrow, contraction. At the same time the outer world is bombarding us with an expanding energy that seems out of control. This swirling energy surrounds us — lists, shopping, presents, cards, concerts, and the invasion of our lives by advertising fill the air. There is a background buzz whether we are aware of it or not.
Yet if we can pause, we may hear something else. We may hear a whisper, a whisper that asks us to slow down and listen. Whether it is a small voice calling from deep within, a line from a poem we receive in a holiday card, a song, or a niggling thought that won't go away. Whatever it is, something is calling us back to ourselves, to our essential longing for that which is so deeply human — peace and love.
The outer light will return, but it is the work of each individual to seek the inner light — to pay heed to the whisper that calls us back to our essential goodness. The returning outer light is a gift, but the inner light we must find for ourselves. In our search thankfully the universe offers us a reminder each day: The stars can only be seen in the darkness of night.
Young children take in, like a thirsty sponge, all that is around them. It is our responsibility as caregivers to surround them with life-giving experiences — to model for them the peace and love we want them to drink into their souls and eventually be able to offer to others.
Peace
- At this time of year especially, simplicity and candlelight go a long way in bringing times of calm and quiet into the home. Five minutes watching a candle glow, singing a seasonal song, reminding one's self of what is important is often enough to sooth a weary child or parent.
- As busy parents of young children there may then also be moments for us to savor that peace for ourselves. Perhaps you may in silence watch the candle's glow rather than mentally writing a shopping list, for 10 minutes each day in December take a walk outside in nature, spend 5 minutes reading something inspirational. Then you may be able to hear the deep whisper.
- If we are able to model peace in ourselves, it is a precious gift to our children.
Love
- Involve your child in thinking about and making something to give to another. Bake cookies with them to share with neighbors or the elderly, let them put coins into the red buckets of the bell-ringers, make cards for grandparents (even the youngest can glue and paste).
- Take time out from busy, hectic days to offer extra hugs and lap time.
- If you get frazzled, remember to breathe.
- Find your kind words. Aloud, not necessarily directly to your child, express gratitude for the bounty that you have been given.
- Be gentle and love yourself. Remember not one of us is perfect.
May you and your family find peace and love in these coming weeks!
- Young Child