Peace, Man, Peace

Farmlife has provided me with more opportunities to think about things. I spend a considerable amount of time using the muscles in my arms or legs, rather than my head. That leaves my head muscle “available.” Available to ponder and contemplate and think things through. Like, when I shovel the manure out of the barn-thinking time! Or when I drive the tractor through the hayfield-thinking time! Or when I weed-eat-thinking time! If you’ve hung out with me for any period of time here, you know that PEACE is one of my quests. For me, for the tiny corner of my world, and for the whole world.

Yesterday I weeded the garden with PEACE on my mind. So little PEACE this days. Even on Facebook and Twitter and the grocery store and the church: no peace. I came inside, borrowed my daughter’s colored markers, and wrote this. My 3 Secrets to Peace.

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Here are three keys to peace:

COMPASSION

LOVE

KINDNESS

Compassion, Love, and Kindness to the earth and all its inhabitants. All of them. That includes the people you think are wrong; who believe differently than you; who look differently than you. Yikes, IKR. It also includes you, yourself. It is sometimes easier to show compassion, love, and kindness to others than to yourself.

TO SELF.

Okay, so now how does ONE learn to BE compassionate, loving, and kind to self?

Again, there are three secrets. They all happen in slow mo.

Slow, outdoor Walk.

Slow, Hot Tea.

Slow, Hot Bath.

WALK

TEA

BATH

Something popped up on my Facebook feed the other day. Newsflash! Being outside in nature improves one’s mood. I didn’t need Facebook or a researcher to tell me that. Outside is healing. Today, walk away your _____________. You fill in the blank. Maybe it is diabetes, sadness, high blood pressure, stress, apathy. Walk slowly. Walk outside. Walk.

Hot tea is also a wonderful way to take special care of yourself. A tea ceremony is so much more than gulping down a cup of tea in a hurry while you rush off somewhere. Take time. This is a ritual, a ceremony. A craft that focuses on the now. Look it up and have one. Just for you. Here’s one.

Or, maybe just put the kettle on and sit down with a quiet cup of tea.

And finally, a hot bath. Pour epsom salt and baking soda into the running water. These will help pull out toxins while you bathe. Linger. Relax.

TO OTHERS.

How does ONE learn to BE compassionate, loving, and kind to other people. You know, the ones who get on your nerves the most. In my neck of the woods, there is a fair amount of division between people about social issues these days.

What if?

What if everyone put away their need to be RIGHT, to be correct, and instead just showed each other massive amounts of loving kindness? Equally, to everyone. What would that look like? Peaceful, that’s what.

A quote often attributed to Mother Theresa, but is actually Dr. Kent Keith’s:

“People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered. Love them anyway.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.:

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that, Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

So here are three secrets to creating compassion, love, and kindness towards others.

SMILE WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER OTHERS

LISTEN TO WHAT THEY SAY, with your mouth closed and your mind open

PRAY FOR THEM, SEND POSITIVE THOUGHTS AND LIGHT THEIR WAY EVERY SINGLE DAY

TO THE EARTH.

And finally, what 3 things can we do to show compassion, love, and kindness to the Earth? Here are 3 of my favorites.

TREAT ANIMALS WITH CARE

GROW A GARDEN

LIMIT USE OF CHEMICALS

What do you think? What are your ideas for sowing peace in you, in your little corner of the world, and in the whole world?

These 9 THINGS are all so simple and easy to do. What would we, our little corners of the world, and the whole world look like if we cultivate peace.

Now, I’m headed out this morning to clean out the chicken house. I’m happy to report that I finally have PEACE in my chicken house. Perhaps they have been listening to the PEACE TALKS that I give them whenever I feed or water or collect eggs. “Now, Girls, And Rooster, if you want to continue to live on my farm…..” I guess this morning’s thinking time will be hot and smelly; it is going to be a scorcher today. Oh well, should be a goooooooooood, productive session. I’ll keep you posted.

Until next time, Friends, savor the flavor of life.

And practice peace.

The City Farmgirl in the Country, Rebekah

  1. Good Job Rebekah, You think like I sometimes think. My little garden boxes make me so happy and I feel good working them. I am 71 and have “old Arthur” which hurts so bad some times, but keep moving and sometimes works it out a little. But I have peace and I try to smile at every one I meet. Maybe it will be the only smile they get and it might make them feel better. Hugs Juanita Massey farm sister #1020

  2. Maureen says:

    Wonderful post! I have a quote on my desk “do something today that your future self will thank you for”. It’s applicable to so many things, but the greatest reward is helping the people I interact with. Many times it is just listening and a smile that helps the most…..and for me, a restorative walk during my lunch hour! (I must admit, that spinning wool in the evenings helps too!)

  3. Deb Bosworth says:

    Peace from the East, my farmgirl bloggin’ sister!
    I so love your way of looking at (and living) life. Love your peace tips…Just think what the world would be like if we replaced peace talks with your peace tips… PEACEFUL, that’s what. As Ive ” matured ” eh hem, I’ve adopted some rituals for bringing myself and others peace too. A good soak is right up there, loving and caring for animals unconditionally is one of the best lessons humans can learn. If we treated each other half as nice as we do our pets, the world would be brimming with happy, loving, accepting people. I love my dog and my girls to the moon! Growing anything plants hope in us and the world. It lets us slow down and appreciate the beauty of life and the cycle of life. It slows us down naturally. I like my thinking time in the garden and at the beach. While I weed, plant, harvest and arrange my flowers I think about how I can share all this beauty and my passion for flowers with more people. Flowers are salve to the soul. All people struggle once in a while. Some people can’t get out of their own way to have even one joyful moment in this world. It’s not up to us to try and change them, just to show them there’s a better, more peaceful way. YOU do that!
    Hugs and much love!
    Deb

  4. JoEllen says:

    Such a wonderful, right on post, Rebekah! I so agree with all your points to have peace in your life. I have been a 24/7 caregiver to my mom in our home for 3 years now. Boy, do I need peace a lot! I have a little garden in my back yard that I can go and sit, have a cup of tea (hot or iced) and let my mind go blank while she is taking a nap. It’s OK to give yourself permission to not think about anything, but enjoy the sun on your face and feel grateful to be alive and well. Since my time with others is so limited, I practice compassion, love, and acceptance to my mom, who I have had to learn to love in a different way at this stage in both of our lives. Not easy by a long shot, but fulfilling. I try to show grace and understanding to my brother and his friends who are gay, and love them right where they are at no matter what my convictions are. Where are people supposed to find peace in this world unless we model it for them in our everyday life?

  5. Nicole says:

    Wise Words! My Take Away – Be Compassionate To Self. Hope you find peace today.

  6. Lin says:

    I love your sharing!! Makes me feel peaceful when i read them!! Thank you!

  7. Mary Ann Ashford says:

    Rebekah,

    Soul-refreshing. Thank you.

    Peace and Joy,
    Mary Ann

  8. Marji says:

    Thank you for your wise words of wisdom. Good Journeys to you and your family.

  9. marylou says:

    Wonderful learning from you, thank you, so much.
    have a nice day. I enjoy my tea slow.

  10. Denise Ross says:

    Rebekah, wonderful words. To cultivate peace in my world, I try to stop and pray for everyone, there are many that need them and see them theough eternal eyes. Yes it’s hard, and I’m hardest on myself. I’m beginning gardening so I can slow and watch and grow together with my plants. I try to be thankful at least three things daily and tell my family I love them. I love sitting having a cup of tea, I have many if I am tired or my soul is and just stop. I calm down and restore some peace and kindness into my world.
    I’m copying your circle, because I love it. Hope you don’t mind.
    Thanks for the reminder – I needed it today.
    Have a blessed day on your gorgeous farm
    From Australia

  11. Susana says:

    I have learned that such rituals….only give you temporary peace…because with out God at the center of your life there’s no peace that last. Be cause where there is fear, tbere is no peace. Perfect peace is only attainable if you have christ in you.the only hope for any lasting peace. Perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.because witb him all things are possible. The King of Peace.He gives peace In A dark and terrifying world.

  12. Lu Ann says:

    Rebekah-I had saved your granola recipe on my computer. I can no longer pull it up on my computer and can’t find it on the website. I have made it several times and would live to have the recipe again. Thanks

    • Rebekah Teal says:

      Lu Ann, I will dig it up! I’m glad you enjoy it! I need to make a batch myself. It always makes me think of Autumn. 🙂 Hope you are well!

  13. Rebekah Teal says:

    Lu Ann, I just posted the recipe on the most recent post in the comment section. ENJOY! I change up this recipe often. Adding chocolate chips is amazin.

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