For a few years in the mid to late 70’s we attended a church close to where I was growing up. I don’t remember much about that church except my uncle got married there and I was supposed to be the flower girl- but, something came up and the brother of my soon-to-be-aunt couldn’t be the ring bearer- and just like that- my dreams of being a flower girl vanished into thin air- I WAS CRUSHED. I digress…
My most memorable moments at that church were the few summers I spent at Vacation Bible School- VBS! I mean- I remember it like it was yesterday…. The musty smell of the classrooms, the graham crackers and tiny Dixie cups of Kool Aid for snack, rambunctious games of Red Rover on the playground, endless rounds singing Deep and Wide, and This Little Light of Mine, while someone played the piano- BUT, the best part of all had to be the arts and crafts. Now, I’m not very gifted when it comes to art- but we made the coolest wall hanging where we decopaged the Fruits of the Spirit on round pieces of real wood (bark and all) -9 in total- one for each Fruit- connected by a piece of twine and VIOLA- the best bathroom wall hanging you could ever want.
There it read:
LOVE
JOY
PEACE
PATIENCE
KINDNESS
GOODNESS
FAITHFULNESS
GENTLENESS
SELF- CONTROL
Total perfection.
I started writing a book this year after I was asked by a friend and barre teacher if I could send her “some of those motivations I used to read at the end of class”….. it made me laugh because many times I just gave short lessons from my own life or motivations that were close to my heart. I was honored and touched. I started writing some- and it started lighting a fire in me. The more I wrote the more excited I became. I started to compile them and told a few people I was doing it - just to stay accountable. Even if I do nothing with this book that I am creating - I am enjoying the creative process.
As I was choosing what to write about- I remembered the Fruits of the Spirit and how I loved reciting them over and over. (I even remember it being a question on jeopardy once- BOOM 💥- nailed it!)
So, I took each Fruit and wrote a short passage about it. Here, I share with you… PEACE.
PEACE
Ultimate peace isn't the absence of chaos but the presence of serenity amidst life's challenges. Peace is a state of inner calm that that lives deep inside our hearts. It transcends external circumstances and is rooted in acceptance, forgiveness, and a deep sense of self-awareness. True peace isn't found in escaping reality but instead, fully embracing it. It comes with both joys and challenges. It's about letting go of the need for control and surrendering to the flow of life with grace and trust. When we cultivate peace within ourselves, we become beacons of light, radiating tranquility and harmony onto those around us amd beyond.
As we strive for ultimate peace, remember that PEACE is not a destination but a journey—a journey of self-discovery, healing, and profound connection to the essence of our very being.
Have an amazing week!
With love from my Core,
Amity ❤️
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