The Touch of Grace
~
a cool breeze blows
tickling my face and hands
the wind a gentle caress
like the touch of a lover
she soothes my body
softening the rough edges
a moment of stillness
brings peace and gratitude
thank you sweet grace
~
Since I haven’t been out hiking much lately, I found this image from a few winters past. While autumn shines brightly outside my window, I take a moment to appreciate the life within as well as beautiful moments like when I photographed this sunset over the White River.
After a busy week where I worked for almost 54 hours, I’m enjoying a mellow day. Even though it’s a beautiful autumn day outside, I’ve spent most of the day indoors, cooking, cleaning, washing clothes, and catching up on my home time. I’ve noticed more and more that I prefer to be home, alone, and in peace and quiet. Maybe I missed my calling to be a monk! I do know pushing myself to do extroverted oriented sales outreach each week wears me out. So when I have time off, I enjoy resting my mind, body, and soul. Sometimes that looks like a hike or bike ride, sometimes it looks like reading a book. And other times like today, it’s a day of nesting at home.
May you take the time to nurture your mind, body, and soul this week, however that looks.
Peace out, Brad
Beautiful, Brad! It’s always nice to have down time – whatever that may look like. Peace, my friend! 🙂
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Agreed. Thanks Julie! 🙂
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Beautiful poem Brad. I, too, much prefer being home in peace and spending more time on my own in general. Being out and amidst people definitely can be a lot and then the quiet space calls ever-loudly.
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Thanks Tania. I know I need connection with people too, but having a job like this, I much prefer to be home in peace and quiet. I’m glad you can understand. Hugs…
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definitely makes sense…balance is good. i’m glad you know how to take care of yourself! hugs…and stuff 😉
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HNS!
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LOL! new code 😉
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🐭
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A beautiful image, very serene, and a heartfelt poem. I could almost see the wind shapeshifting into a beloved one´s figure when reading this. Lovely!
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Thank you. I’m delighted you could enjoy her touch too. 🙂
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Thanks, yes:) There is nothing better than communing with nature 🙂
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Agreed
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your writing so calming and your picture is beautiful…….i would love to be able to see that every day! 🙂
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Thank you Wendi. I’m grateful to have lived there for a while.
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🙂 just lovely!
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Peace Brad.
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Thanks Len. You as well.
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Beautiful poem and beautiful picture. Sounds like recharging your battery in a healthy way. Just my opinion, but I think even extroverts need some quiet time for recharging to stay healthy (mentally and physically). I’m a firm believer in everyone finding that peace doing what you love to on a consistent basis. Follow your gut….it’s a good thing!!
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Thanks Kurt. I agree about the need to recharge nurture and follow our guts. Yesterday was nice!
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Lovely Brad! Thank you.
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My pleasure Cindy!
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Beautifully written Brad and I so agree that time in stillness with time to just be is important.
Whichever shape that takes. You don’t need to be a monk to wish for peace. 😊 .
Miriam
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Thanks for understanding Miriam.
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I love being a homebody! The world is too insane right now to venture out anyway. The war must end first before I will try to find a place in society again…Glad you are finding peace there Brad…Do what YOU want to do and be grateful for that opportunity…Don’t work too hard. Remember, it’s not what Creator had in mind for us. I believe he wanted us to be free to enjoy the beauty he has created. Great words you wrote! VK 🙂
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Agreed on many levels VK. I pray for peace and do what I can. Meanwhile I must balance between being in the world for work and taking care of myself. Peace and hugs…
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The peace and gratitude in your poem reached me beautifully. I too dream of the monk’s life and then realize my own gifts of time when I can have a ‘cave’ in my home, and days when I simply follow my heart and soul of just being with gratitude – perhaps there is compassion here that that’s all I can handle in this life time and not the real cave 🙂 Wish you more such times of joy and peace!
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I’m glad you could share in a moment of peace and beauty Pragalbha. Yes, it’s easy to want the monk’s life, but a great opportunity to create peace and beauty where we are. Hugs and blessings…
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A beautiful poem, Brad. I also find the social aspect of working tiring and need time away from others to recharge. I think many of us creatives are like that, we find peace and solace in our creativity.
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Thanks for understanding Robbie. Yes, many of us find solace in creativity and simple solitude too.
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Lovely write, Brad. I’m an introvert, so I need nesting time too, especially after a people-oriented week. I enjoy picturing you relishing your solitude and replenishing your inner well of peace. Enjoy the rest of this amazing season. 🙂
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Thanks for understanding and sharing in the solitude with me Diana. Maybe we can have an introvert party where we all stay home and send cyber hugs! 🙂
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so lovely Brad!
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Thanks Neha!
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Brad, beautiful wistful Writing that conveys a much needed harmony and tranquility. 😀 Yikes, 54 hours of sales would exhaust anyone and your spirit needs this total rest and relaxation. Pottering at home is a great healer … enjoy and return rejuvenated to work. Any chance of a few less hours?
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Thank you for understanding the many layers of this post and poem Annika. My puttering around the home was the perfect recharger and yes, I normally work about 38 hours. Last week was a special event thankfully not to be repeated. I’m glad you enjoy my words and photo. May peace prevail….
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Thank you for the beautiful and soothing words dear Brad. I love being alone…and yes I do enjoy being around other people….but the balance for me is vitally important. I hope you enjoy a beautiful autumn weekend. Janet X
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Thank you Janet. I’ll be enjoying another weekend of work. 🙂
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A lovely write full of serenity. I hope your weekend is as lovely and peaceful as this poem you wrote. Have a good weekend my friend. Try to find time for more nature.
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Thanks Drew. I had my fun and rest today. I work every Saturday and Sunday. 🙂
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A soothing, comforting poem Brad.
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Thanks Andrea. May you week be full of peace.
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Nothing like a little Grace to appreciate what nature has to offer ~ and something even as delicate as a light breeze can bring a fire of emotions. Great poetry does the same, and you nailed it. I hope the good weather continued into your weekend ~ capture those fine days before the chills come in 🙂 Take care, Brad, and enjoy the week ahead.
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Agreed on all levels. Grace and gratitude open many doors. I hope to enjoy more of nature’s glory this fall. Blessings to you and your Randall.
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Beautiful…
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Thanks Bette.
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Thank you for the reminder.
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You’re most welcome Nancy.
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54 hours. Wow. No WONDER you need some peace and quiet. I need peace and quiet after 25 hours of work. Haha. It’s enough to live off of, but there are days when I think, Hmm…I should be a computer coder or something. I could probably work 10 hours a week and make a living at it. Then more time for solitude, contemplation and all the things I love to do. haha. (Actually, computer coding sounds rather awful. Haha.)
It sounds like while your job keeps you busy, it is going well. Sending you thoughts of peace and quiet. 🙂
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Thanks for understanding Cynthia. I’d much rather be working 20 hours or retired. 🙂 Ideally, those decisions will be made this spring after I’ve recovered a little more financially.
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Beautiful poem and so good to be having a time to yourself when you can relax and enjoy life at your pace. Such a beautiful picture too. Pure stillness.
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Thanks Kamal. I’m very grateful for the time to be quiet and recharge.
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Welcome Brad and yes we all require to be with ourselves and sit quietly.
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How I loved and resonated with this post Brad! The word grace drew me to read it, because I love that word, powerful and gentle all at once. Such a beautiful photo, and I laughed….sometimes I think I missed my calling to be a nun! I just love gentle, simple, quiet time alone at home, nesting, bringing order and beauty to my environment with care and attention…chop wood, carry water as the phrase goes. This was a beautiful way to start my day – thanks for sharing! Blessings, Harula xx
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Thank you Harula. Silence and simplicity have a strong pull for me too. I’m glad this resonated and helped start your day. Hugs and blessings…
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