The other night as my mom and I were talking about Ukraine, my six year old daughter asked, “Are we safe?”
It made me wonder – what is it that makes us feel secure?
Locked doors, guard dogs or gated communities?
Enough money in the bank account that we could afford displacement?
Physical health, strength or fighting skills?
Knowledge of history and humanity that provides some perspective?
Believing that countries we live in will stay out of a fight?
Deep connections with faith, family and friends?
While I do enjoy the comfort of locked doors and a security system that help me sleep at night, I realize that my personal sense of security comes from my own meditation practice. By finding that space inside me that is bigger than time or circumstance, I breathe into peace that helps me navigate tension at home, at work and in the world. It’s a sense of expansiveness that we can be bigger than any moment or circumstance and find meaning in the toughest of situations.
It resonates with the feeling that I got from my dad. Whether it was when we lived abroad when I was a kid in a country under martial law and a region that was embroiled in war or later in life when we did home projects together, he embodied a sense of confidence that we could figure it out together. It was reassuring without being false. When we pulled up the floor in my first house and found rotten boards and plumbing that also needed to be replaced, he didn’t pretend it was all good or wouldn’t cost me more time and money, his inner peace told me that we could calmly face anything.
In the words of John Lennon, “Peace is not something you wish for; It’s something you make, Something you do , Something you are, And something you give away.”
So I held my daughter’s hand and told her that the fighting we were talking about is far away. We care very much about what happens to the innocent people involved in the conflict but don’t have to be worried. Because whatever happens in life we will face together with the faith and peace in our hearts.
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Thank you for sharing this post, Wynne. As I read it, I found myself spiritually nodding. From personal experience, I’ve found that relying on apparent circumstances leaves me feeling very vulnerable, because they are constantly shifting. To feel safe and secure, I have to go deep within, beyond “Art’s” fears. Your writing is helping those who read it–thank you. 🙏
What a lovely and insightful comment, Art! Yes, deep within where the waters are still and not churned up by the current winds! Thank you for your comment and support!
You’re welcome, Wynne. It feels very nice to be able to share this knowing.
I think that we also have to accept what we cannot control. And war is one of those things that is definitely out of our hands. Thank you for the beautiful insight!
That is such a great point about accepting what we can’t control, Cristiana. And I think the older I get, the longer I realize that list of things I can’t control is! Thanks for the great addition
Great work and much needed reminder that strength comes from within. We do not need to look outside for it.
So well said – “we do not need to look outside for it!” Yes!
I wonder about the need to feel safe, but I have always danced to a tune few could hear.
My first professional job was running a furnace that made 250 tons of steel every 50 minutes or so. There was never a time to feel safe in such a situation, as people died in that environment while I worked there.
I see life as the same dance, if you are fully aware of circumstances that surround you. Kids understand on a fundamental level, until they are convinced by parents and teachers, that safety is an illusion, as their instinct keeps whispering in their ear to that effect. For me, accepting and addressing the possibility of lack of safety, is better than feeling safe.
Well, I am an odd ball.
Wow – that sounds like an eye-opening job to have! I love the insight you bring to this conversation, especially that kids instinctively know it’s not safe.
I think what I’m trying to get at in this post is largely the same thing that you are saying – that external security is always tenuous so by cultivating our inner peace we can face the circumstances together.
Nice subject, Wynne, and definitely topical! Utilizing the ever-present ‘Why?’ might help with your own fears as well. It will be good practice also, when they want to know the Facts of Life. 😀 Omgs, my daughter grilled me for two hours on that one, but I think we got it all why’d out. I hope I was right??
Ha, ha, ha! I’m laughing about the why’s. Oh boy – two hours on the facts of life. I’m definitely going to need to practice up for that one.
But great point about using why in this topic as well. Thanks for reading and commenting!
I think there’s a varying category of secure. Physically secure; has life insurance, and good healthcare. Financially means we have saved up enough to last to our olden days. Socially secure means we keep our dearest family and friends close with little to no life drama…
Mayhaps when we are asked how safe or secure we are, we need to clarify further and see from broader perspective…?
I like the categories that you define here. That makes a lot of sense. Thank you for adding these to the discussion!
There will always be the insecurity and anxiety of conflict in this temporal world, but just as you held your precious daughter’s hand to comfort her Wynne, we all need the security found in “…deep connections with faith, family and friends… ” to assure each other that His love has prepared a secure eternity where peace forever reigns.
Keep looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!
Beautifully said, Fred. I agree!
❤️❤️
Very touching story about your conversation with your daughter, and the reassurance given to you by your own father. Somewhere in early adulthood, I resolved not to live in fear. That has proved to be a good decision, but I also realize that it is good to do what we can to keep ourselves and our families safe. <3 All the best, Wynne!
This life has no existence without a strong ally in ‘Woman’ in every stage of life starting from motherhood to wife, from sister, and finally a daughter. Happy Women’s Day!
https://theblogera.com/international-womens-day-significance-of-women-in-world/
This is so beautiful Wynne. I loved when you said that your personal sense of security comes from your own meditation practice. So true! Me will have me forever, and me will comfort me always