Some things can only be said in pictures and metaphors. They are the language of the unconscious, transmitting preverbal wisdom directly into our hearts and souls.
A Picture of Peace
Once upon a time, there was a king who offered a prize. He invited artists from all over the country to paint the most coherent picture of peace. Painters from beyond the country’s borders got to work and brought their paintings to the king. Of all the paintings, the king liked two the best and made them the final selection.
The first was a perfect image of a tranquil idyllic lake. The lake reflected the picturesque mountains that bordered the lake and every little cloud could be found in the still, peaceful water. Anyone who saw the picture thought, “If you can paint peace, then this is what it looks like – heaven on earth.“
The second picture was different. Here you could see rough, bare mountains. In the gloomy gray sky above the mountains, clouds chased each other and you could see the rain falling and lightning and thunder crashing figuratively. On one of the mountains, a thunderous waterfall plunged into the depths, sweeping away trees, debris, and small animals. Anyone who saw the picture did not immediately understand why this was about peace. But the king saw a bush growing out of the jagged rock face behind the waterfall. In the small bush, a pair of birds had built their nest. There, in the midst of the raging storm, in this inhospitable place, the mother bird sat completely at peace, warming her nest.
In the end, the king gave the prize to the second image and justified it: “Do not be misled by the appearance of beautiful images and external peace. Deep inner peace brings hope to the earth. This means building your nest even in spite of the most difficult circumstances and challenges and becoming calm and peaceful in your own heart. Then, in the midst of the strongest forces of nature and storms, we recognize within ourselves what true peace is.”
(Original author unknown)
I found it, read it, and sat quietly in front of my screen as you do now.
Beautiful! Thank you!
Absolutely love this!
What a timely message, Bridget. Living with such uncertainty we have to dig deep first to identify the peace we carry and then to know how to share it. Takes a lifetime, I think.
It is a big ask for some people, caught up in events not of their making which have shattered their worlds, to find inner peace. I deeply hope that they are able to do that.
I hope so too.
A timely and meaningful message. Thank you, Bridget.
“Deep inner peace brings hope to the earth.” 💗
We could use it, couldn’t we?
No doubt. 😔 🕊️
🧡
How profound!
Thank you, Rebecca. I thought it was fitting for this week.
Wonderful
Thank you, Derrick
Thanks for sharing this insight. Have a great day. Allan
I am glad you liked it, Allan. Have a great day yourself.
Thank you for sharing this Bridget. There is so much to discourage us at the moment and we must look for good, and hope, in all things. There is still plenty around!
I feel the same discouragement. My heart is heavy, my head is confused and too often I am afraid to speak out loud what I am thinking. Hope is all we have right now and I am hanging on to it.
What a beautiful analogy! I loved it! 😍