peace

Today’s Poem: The Vision of Peace by Nathan Haskell Dole

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The Vision of Peace

Nathan Haskell Dole

O, beautiful Vision of Peace,
    Beam bright in the eyes of Man!
The host of the meek shall increase,
    The Prophets are leading the van.
Have courage: we see the Morn!
    Never fear, tho’ the Now be dark!
Out of Night the Day is born;
    The Fire shall live from the spark.
It may take a thousand years
    Ere the Era of Peace hold sway,
Look back and the Progress cheers
    And a thousand years are a day!
The World grows — yet not by chance;
    It follows some marvelous plan;
Tho’ slow to our wish the advance,
    God rules the training of Man.

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Today’s Poem: Be Still in Haste by Wendell Berry

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Be Still in Haste

Wendell Berry

How quietly I

begin again

from this moment

looking at the

clock, I start over

so much time has

passed, and is equaled

by whatever

split-second is present

from this

moment this moment

is the first

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Today’s Poem: Next Time by Mary Oliver

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Next Time

Mary Oliver

Next time what I’d do is look at
the earth before saying anything. I’d stop
just before going into a house
and be an emperor for a minute
and listen better to the wind
or to the air being still.

When anyone talked to me, whether
blame or praise or just passing time,
I’d watch the face, how the mouth
has to work, and see any strain, any
sign of what lifted the voice.

And for all, I’d know more — the earth
bracing itself and soaring, the air
finding every leaf and feather over
forest and water, and for every person
the body glowing inside the clothes
like a light.

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Today’s Poem: Yes! No! by Mary Oliver

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Yes! No!

Mary Oliver

How necessary it is to have opinions! I think the spotted trout
lilies are satisfied, standing a few inches above the earth. I
think serenity is not something you just find in the world,
like a plum tree, holding up its white petals.

The violets, along the river, are opening their blue faces, like
small dark lanterns.

The green mosses, being so many, are as good as brawny.

How important it is to walk along, not in haste but slowly,
looking at everything and calling out

Yes! No! The

swan, for all his pomp, his robes of grass and petals, wants
only to be allowed to live on the nameless pond. The catbrier
is without fault. The water thrushes, down among the sloppy
rocks, are going crazy with happiness. Imagination is better
than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless
and proper work.

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How Gratitude Can Heal: Lessons from Nature and Poetry

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In this inspiring episode, we explore the profound power of gratitude and how it can transform our lives. Set on a beautiful September day in South Texas, we reflect on the everyday gifts that surround us—like a gentle breeze, a gecko changing color, or a delicious cup of coffee. These small, often overlooked moments hold immense value.

Through the wisdom of poets like Mary Oliver and Rumi, we dive deep into how gratitude helps us heal from grief. We’ll discuss how moving toward gratitude brings peace and helps us see the loved ones we’ve lost as eternal gifts that remain with us always. We also explore how gratitude fosters humility, strengthens our relationships, and allows love to flow freely into and out of our lives.

Join us as we navigate the journey from grief to healing, uncovering the beauty in the everyday and embracing love as the greatest gift of all.

Keywords: gratitude, healing, gifts, grief, love, Mary Oliver, Rumi, humility, peace, spiritual growth, South Texas, poetry

The Return by Theodosia Garrison

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The Return

Theodosia Garrison

I come to you grown weary of much laughter,
From jangling mirth that once seemed over-sweet,
From all the mocking ghosts that follow after
A man’s returning feet;
Give me no word of welcome or of greeting
Only in silence let me enter in,
Only in silence when our eyes are meeting,
Absolve me of my sin.

I come to you grown weary of much living,
Open your door and lift me of your grace,
I ask for no compassion, no forgiving,
Only your face, your face;
Only in that white peace that is your dwelling
To come again, before your feet to sink,
And of your quiet as of wine compelling
Drink as the thirsting drink.

Be kind to me as sleep is kind that closes
With tender hands men’s fever-wearied eyes,
Your arms are as a garden of white roses
Where old remembrance lies,
I, who am bruised with words and pierced with chiding,
Give me your silence as a Saint might give
Her white cloak for some hunted creature’s hiding,
That he might rest and live.

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Today’s Thought: Lessons from Hummingbirds

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Have you ever watch hummingbirds? There’s a difference between seeing and watching. They are amazing and beautiful creatures. They dart from flower to flower and fly over my yard in the blink of an eye. If I’m on my patio they’ll hover two feet in front of me and stare as they are trying to communicate with me. Watching the hummingbirds do their thing is always a good reminder for me. When I am focused, doing what I was designed to do, I am at peace. As long as I don’t measure myself by what the world believes is the measure of success and instead follow my internal GPS I’ll be successful. I think I’ll step outside for a moment and watch my friends. Perhaps, they’s say hi to me today.

Today’s Poem: A Hymn of Peace by Oliver Wendell Holmes

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A Hymn of Peace

Oliver Wendell Holmes

ANGEL of Peace, thou hast wandered too long!
Spread thy white wings to the sunshine of love!
Come while our voices are blended in song,–
Fly to our ark like the storm-beaten dove!
Fly to our ark on the wings of the dove,–
Speed o’er the far-sounding billows of song,
Crowned with thine olive-leaf garland of love,–
Angel of Peace, thou hast waited too long!

Joyous we meet, on this altar of thine
Mingling the gifts we have gathered for thee,
Sweet with the odors of myrtle and pine,
Breeze of the prairie and breath of the sea,–
Meadow and mountain and forest and sea!
Sweet is the fragrance of myrtle and pine,
Sweeter the incense we offer to thee,
Brothers once more round this altar of thine!

Angels of Bethlehem, answer the strain!
Hark! a new birth-song is filling the sky!–
Loud as the storm-wind that tumbles the main
Bid the full breath of the organ reply,–
Let the loud tempest of voices reply,–
Roll its long surge like the-earth-shaking main!
Swell the vast song till it mounts to the sky!
Angels of Bethlehem, echo the strain!

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Today’s Poem: A Poem of Faith by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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A Poem of Faith

Paul Laurence Dunbar

I think that though the clouds be dark,
  That though the waves dash o’er the bark,
  Yet after while the light will come,
  And in calm waters safe at home
        The bark will anchor.
  Weep not, my sad-eyed, gray-robed maid,
  Because your fairest blossoms fade,
  That sorrow still o’erruns your cup,
  And even though you root them up,
        The weeds grow ranker.

  For after while your tears shall cease,
  And sorrow shall give way to peace;
  The flowers shall bloom, the weeds shall die,
  And in that faith seen, by and by
        Thy woes shall perish.
  Smile at old Fortune’s adverse tide,
  Smile when the scoffers sneer and chide.
  Oh, not for you the gems that pale,
  And not for you the flowers that fail;
        Let this thought cherish:

  That after while the clouds will part,
  And then with joy the waiting heart
  Shall feel the light come stealing in,
  That drives away the cloud of sin
        And breaks its power.
  And you shall burst your chrysalis,
  And wing away to realms of bliss,
  Untrammelled, pure, divinely free,
  Above all earth’s anxiety
        From that same hour.

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Inspiring Quote: Making Peace with the Past

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If you don’t make peace with your past it will keep showing up in your present. ~ Wayne Dyer

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