Tag: #grace

  • A Poem: The Earth’s Soft Wisdom

    The oak stands tall in quiet decree, That time is the root of the reaching tree; Do not rush the branch or the widening ring, For seasons must turn before wood can sing.

    Listen when the wandering wind begins to blow, You are allowed to shift, to stall, or to go; Your pace is a prayer that you’re free to change, Across the valley or the mountain range.

    The flower bows low in the garden’s bed, “Nothing blooms forever,” is the truth it spreads; But the fading petal and the falling leaf, Are the grace of a beauty that is meant to be brief.

    The ocean cradles the moon on its breast, Holding the hurricane and the hour of rest; You are the tide, both the soft and the grim, With a storm in your heart and a stillness within.

    When the clouds turn gray and the air grows cold, Let go of the weight you were never meant to hold; Like the rain that falls to the thirsty floor, Release what you cannot carry anymore.

    The stars only speak when the shadows are deep, A silver promise that the Heavens keep; For only when the day has ceased, Is the hidden light of the dark released.

    And though you’ve been hidden or lost in the night, The sun returns with its gold and its might; No matter the depth of the valley you’ve trod, You will rise again from the silent sod.

    ~Elizabeth Proett

  • Learning from the Lived-In Life

    Growing up in a small farming community, my understanding of the world was shaped by the rhythm of the seasons and the close-knit bonds of rural life. Church gatherings and school events weren’t just for my peers; they were a chance to be with everyone, including the older generation. I cherished those moments, sitting with them and listening to their stories. Even the grumpy ones and a well of wisdom. These cherished memories laid the foundation for my deep respect and appreciation for the elderly and their calm strength.

    In a world of constant motion and unending digital chatter, where minds are racing and opinions are shouted into the void, there’s a profound sense of peace to be found in the quiet strength of the older generation. It’s a different kind of calm, not the kind that comes from silence, but the kind that comes from stillness.

    When you’re with people in their 70’s and older, you can feel their inner peace. They’ve weathered life’s storms and navigated its winding paths, and in doing so, they’ve arrived at a state of grace. Their minds aren’t filled with the frantic noise of what-ifs and what-nows. They’ve let go of the need to prove themselves or chase fleeting trends. They simply are.

    There’s a beautiful, quiet knowing in their eyes – the result of a life well-lived. They’ve seen joy and sorrow, success and failure, and through it all, they’ve found an acceptance of themselves and the world around them. Their stories aren’t just entertainment; they’re a tapestry of wisdom and resilience. They remind us that the frantic pace of youth isn’t the final destination. Life, it you’re lucky, unfolds into something calmer and more accepting. We can learn a great deal from their experiences and grace, finding in their quiet strength a road map to our own inner peace.