Candle in the Dark (Copy)

I can’t make the
world be peaceful

I can’t stall tanks
from roaring down roads

I can’t prevent children
from having to hide in bunkers

I can’t convince the news to
stop turning war into a video game

I can’t silence the sound of bombs
tearing neighborhoods apart

I can’t turn a guided missile
into a bouquet of flowers

I can’t make a warmonger
have an ounce of empathy

I can’t convince ambassadors
to quit playing truth or dare

I can’t deflect a sniper’s bullet
from turning a wife into a widow

I can’t stave off a country being
reduced to ash and rubble

I can’t do any of that

the only thing I can do
is love the next person I encounter
without any conditions or strings

to love my neighbor
so fearlessly that
it starts a ripple
that stretches from
one horizon to the next

I can’t force peace
on the world

but I can become a force
of peace in the world

because

sometimes all it takes
is a single lit candle
in the darkness

to start a movement

“Lord, make me a candle
of comfort in this world

let me burn with peace”

~ john roedel

WITH THANKS TO ELISHA GOLDSTEIN WHO SHARED THIS IN THE MINDFUL LIVING COLLECTIVE

Candle in the Dark

Candle in the Dark

I can’t make the
world be peaceful

I can’t stall tanks
from roaring down roads

I can’t prevent children
from having to hide in bunkers

I can’t convince the news to
stop turning war into a video game

I can’t silence the sound of bombs
tearing neighborhoods apart

I can’t turn a guided missile
into a bouquet of flowers

I can’t make a warmonger
have an ounce of empathy

I can’t convince ambassadors
to quit playing truth or dare

I can’t deflect a sniper’s bullet
from turning a wife into a widow

I can’t stave off a country being
reduced to ash and rubble

I can’t do any of that

the only thing I can do
is love the next person I encounter
without any conditions or strings

to love my neighbor
so fearlessly that
it starts a ripple
that stretches from
one horizon to the next

I can’t force peace
on the world

but I can become a force
of peace in the world

because

sometimes all it takes
is a single lit candle
in the darkness

to start a movement

“Lord, make me a candle
of comfort in this world

let me burn with peace”

~ john roedel

WITH THANKS TO ELISHA GOLDSTEIN WHO SHARED THIS IN THE MINDFUL LIVING COLLECTIVE

Candle in the Dark

Renew, Restore and Have Fun This Summer in the Austrian Alps!

We are planning great retreats at Chalet M in the Austrian Alps this coming summer- Yoga, meditation, forest bathing, mindful eating, hiking, cooking lessons and more. If you are interested in learning about them, please email me(laurie@evenkeelwellbeing.com) me and I will put you on the mailing list and send you info once we finalize the details.

 Yes, the hills are alive!! 

Warmest regards,

Laurie