Pause.

When I am among the trees,

especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks
and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out “stay awhile.”

The light flows from their branches. And they call again,

“It’s simple,” they say, “and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”

-Mary Oliver, “When I Am Among the Trees.” Devotions: The Selected Poems of Mary Oliver.

 

In silence learn to give of yourself, forgive others, live with gratitude. Then you need not seek inner peace: Peace will find you!

-Nan Merrill. Lumen Christi…Holy Wisdom: Journey to Awakening.