Spring has arrived, although the cool weather these next few days implies otherwise. But the flowering trees are in full bloom in our area, the days are longer (thank you, DST!) and most days I even have a spring in my step! Also, more businesses are opening up, although we still need to be careful, and ease into being out with others. We have hibernated so long it is tempting to forge ahead and do the things we have not been able to do for over a year. But let’s not throw caution to the wind. We’ve come too far to go back.

Easter is upon us. Today, Good Friday, reminds Christians of Christ’s sacrifice. May we be mindful of this as we prepare for Easter Sunday, and Jesus’ resurrection. Christians around the world will be singing “He Lives!” Whatever you believe, however you celebrate, or even if you don’t, may you have the peace that passes all understanding.

Peace keeps us centered. It nourishes us and gives us strength to get through the hard times. Peace gives us calm and helps us to be our best with others. Peace is a prerequisite for joy, or even for happiness. When we do not have peace, life’s daily challenges can throw us off course. I have had a challenge with this lately and am only now connecting to what I have been missing.

The (almost) final straw to a month of chaos was last night when the internet went out. When our internet goes out, our (Roku) TV also goes out. Although the internet and TV are not (usually) necessary, (other than for virtual work and school for some) they are mindless diversions that at times are enjoyable. While I realize that this is a first world problem, and in the scope of things not really that important, it was the straw. Several events, mainly delays that created problems that created more problems, had occurred in the few weeks before that, creating unhealthy stress in me. The effect was cumulative. I felt like I was coming unhinged, a state of mind that worried me. I rarely get to that point, but I was there last night. Thankfully, the internet problem was corrected fairly quickly, and I was able to correct myself. Today I am trying to figure out how I got to that point. It did not take me too long to figure it out. The absence of peace in my daily life created that state. Writing “the peace that passes all understanding” brought it into my awareness.

I realize that I need time, space, and healthy connection to have peace. In the past few weeks, due to some time limited responsibilities, I have been missing all three. I am so glad that I stopped drinking alcohol almost two years ago, or the stress of these recent weeks would have been unmanageable. This too will pass, and soon the peace I need can be restored.

How about you? What do you need to have peace? Are you getting those things? If not, are you able to take some control of your situation, and restore the peace you need? How do you begin to do so? Are there some things, or even people, you need to rid yourself of to do so? Are you able and willing to make the necessary changes to return to the person you want to be?

Just take one step at a time and see and feel the difference. See and feel the spring in your step restored.