When my mother was alive, she once told me, “I’d like to sit on a pink cloud and eat an ice cream cone.” Similarly, when I was a child, there were two pictures hanging on my bedroom wall. They were profiles of a blond-haired-blue-eyed little boy and girl facing one another. They were wearing blue pajamas sitting on their heels with their hands skyward in prayer. For me, these two images, my mom and her ice cream cone and the children praying-conjure up feelings of peace.

What about you?
What images and feelings bring you peace?

There are times in all of our lives when troubled waters come and peace feels far away. During these times, we need to breathe and take in the good, the love, the calm, and the peace.

Here are some images and sensations which might allow peace to flow into your heart and soul; even if just for a moment.

1. A butterfly sipping nectar from a flower
2. A hummingbird hovering over its feeder
3. A wave lapping against the shore
4. An eagle soaring with outstretched wings
5. A dog’s tail thumping against the floor
6. A cat bathing in the sun
7. A child holding a Teddy bear
8. A whale breaching the ocean’s surface
9. A grandfather rocking in a rocking chair
10. A grandmother resting in a hammock
11. A hot-air balloon floating in the morning’s sky
12. A morning sun rising above the mountains
13. A mamma horse and baby running in an open field
14. A church bell ringing on a Sunday morning
15. A kite flying high above the trees
16. A batch of cookies baking in the oven
17. A child singing while swinging on a swing
18. A long stretch after sleeping for an entire night
19. A snowman standing with a broomstick in hand
20. A star twinkling under a clear night sky
21. A virgin footstep breaks the silence after a heavy snow
22. A puppy woof, woof, woofing, while sleeping
23. A cat purring while sitting on a soft lap
24. A heart beating against another’s while hugging
25. A bowl of popcorn being slowly eaten
26. A leaf changing colors and falling to the ground
27. A grandfather’s clock ticking in the night
28. A cricket singing in tandem with other crickets
29. Children holding hands skipping down a street
30. A choir singing “Silent Night” while holding lit candles

“Silent night, holy night
All is calm, and all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace”

Hopefully, these images and sensations of peace will-at least for today-provide you a moment of pause and in a little way, change the way you see, and change the way you live!