Peace, Patience, and Silence

“Do not be anxious about anything.” 

Be patient with yourself, others, God, and the unfolding of life.

Allow God to speak through the silence.

I've been reading my journals over the past few years, and I've noticed a pattern.

This is the season of the year I tend to think about the fruit of the Spirit.

I see these words sprinkled over my journal pages:

Love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.

Along with gratefulness and an aspiration to strive toward excellence in person and presence.

I’ve practiced silence with Ray Leonardini, writing with Elizabeth Gilbert and Verlyn Klinkenborg, discipline with Ryan Holiday, life optimizing with Brian Johnson, and spiritual formation with Richard Rohr and Eknath Easwaran.

I have quite a community of mentors leading me through this season of my life.

There is much to learn and much to practice. 

I’m not sure where this training is leading me.

This silence, reading, and journaling.

But right now, I choose to trust.

There is a great Mystery guiding me forward, and I trust in It.

My mentors and teachers are not the Truth, but they point toward it.

And I choose to do the same.

I choose to be patient with myself as life unfolds.

I choose to be disciplined as I allow God to speak to me through the silence.

I choose to live each day in this spirit of love, joy, and peace.

Photo by Micah Hallahan on Unsplash