You can either fight
with the the situation,
wishing, somehow,
that things were different,
focusing on what you lack
or have lost,
waving your fists in the air
until you are drained
or exhausted,
cursing your fate or circumstance.
Or you can make peace
with your life.
Making implies action.
Peace, my love, is not passive.
Turn your gaze
to every, tiny aspect of your existence
that beckons your gratitude.
There are millions.
Begin with a few.
A peaceful city, your breath, the particular way the light catches the trees, your home, the eruption of laughter, a warm blanket, the opportunity to love.
The sting of longing
is never far and will return.
When she does,
soften into the tenderness
of being human
and gently come back
to building a holy nest
of acknowledgment
around all that you have.
Change what no longer serves you.
Be certain and courageous.
But make peace
when circumstances
reach beyond
your capacity of understanding.
Work at it gently and daily.
You know the way in.
Don’t be afraid of longing
but please
don’t keep satisfaction
in distant blocks of ice
that never melt into now.
—deborah quibell
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