An unknown author writes: "There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked, and he had to choose between them. One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, with peaceful towering mountains all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.
The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightning played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all.
But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest...perfect peace.
The King chose the second picture, because he explained, “Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."
The first picture was about outer peace, and the second picture depicted inner peace. Certainly, for those of us living in the world today, it is the kind of peace that we long for and seek to find. These two pictures each convey a beautiful vision of peace.
Through our imagination, the imaging faculty of mind, we have the power to envision our heart’s desires. It is important to include a vision of those desires and dreams along with our affirmations. In your daily spiritual practice, take time to envision a positive future for our world, our country, our spiritual community, and for your life. See it vividly, and if it seems unbelievable, then either dial it back a bit or turn it over to God to work out the details.
Love & Blessings,
Rev. Kathy