“The mind can go in a thousand directions,” shares Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. “But on this beautiful path, I walk in peace.”

I was reminded of his words this morning as I made my way into work. I had been feeling a bit unsettled as I reflected upon the circumstances of this past week. Arguments had disrupted the normal flow and balance of our office, as my heart turned to those caught in the crosshairs.

I could feel my mind spinning, sifting through the detailed sequence of events. “Where did I go wrong? What could I have done better?”

The questions were seemingly endless.

“Good morning, Miss Tara!” I heard a voice call out from the side entrance gate. “And just where is that lovely smile today?”

He had greeted me faithfully each morning, and always with an endearing reminder of life’s beauty.

“The birds won’t sing without your smile,” he warned. “It’s true, I heard it myself!”

We sat for a while as I recounted the events of the prior day – the misunderstanding, the cross words spoken in anger, the sadness over those ‘wounded.’

He thought for a moment, smiled and leaned forward, “Miss Tara, even when the birds are saddened – they sing knowing you are here.”

We have such a habit of ‘running’, my darlings. Whether we are running to or racing away, the mind is never truly at rest.

Until we are reminded, that is – to find our peace within each step.

Within this step, I found a loving smile; the comfort of a friend. I heard the space between the sparrows trill; and felt the morning breeze upon my face. I saw a young woman smile at a stranger coming in, “Have a blessed day,” she said.

All of which I may have missed, were it not for my return to this moment right here.

“If you have truly arrived you will know,” shares Thich Nhat Hanh. “You don’t need a Buddha to tell you. (And, if not) just stay there until you arrive.”

Just stay there till you arrive, my loves. Allow those senses to return. Take it all in, every last bit – and then?

Let gratitude fill your lungs.

In doing so, you might just find – everything you’ve ever wanted or needed has been right here within you all along.

Namaste, my loves ~ in peace ❤️