“It’s so hard to forget pain, but it’s even harder to remember sweetness. We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace.” ― Chuck Palahniuk
I read this quote last night and immediately thought, “I beg to differ!” Of course we learn from pain, from setbacks, and from struggles. But peace also serves as a teacher. How?
Peace teaches us what to strive for.
image from Pinterest.com
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
We have wrinkles around our eyes to show for happiness
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and lines around our mouths where the smiles once were .. MJ
No scars for peace and happiness? What about a smile? I will see the smile on someone’s face and reflect on the happiness, joy and peace their beautiful smile radiates. I agree, MJ, peace can be a teacher as I seek the beauty in those smiles.
couldn’t agree more!
MJ
Agree 100% I have lots of signs of happiness and peace on my body… lots
I have some of each .. and I’ll take the happy markers, please!
MJ
Reblogged this on When I Ride… and commented:
One of my favorite bloggers, MJ always writes something worth sharing. Enjoy.
aww, thank you sweetness,
MJ
Oh, MJ, I couldn’t agree with you more. Of course peace is a teacher. The greatest one!
Hugs,
Kathy
I’ve learned a lot from the struggles and the heartache, the anxiety and the fear. But I’ve learned as much from times of peace, when the ocean was calm, the breeze was just right and I wished the moment could last forever. For me, those times are worth swimming back to. Bests,
MJ
I think we tend to remember and learn from mistakes a lot more than when things are going well. Many people look back on their day or year and remember the challenges because the good times don’t always seems to register in our memory. We need to make more of an effort to remember how much of life is good and rewarding instead of dwelling on the negative.
You make many great points, GG, and I am just as prone to remember the one snarky comment one stupid relative said vs. the 14 nice ones other family members shared. My point is that, having experienced peace, I then have a reference to work towards; there will always be some level of chaos, uncertainty or fear, but when I can have moments of quiet and clarity, I will do my best to get back to them. Thank you for weighing in! MJ
I’m with you on the quote, MJ.
Baby animals steal my heart. That kitten is the size of my last bunny when I brought her home, could sit in the palm of my hand.
they steal mine, too. Youngest boy’s best friend has a new pup; every time he comes home from that house we are delighted with up close photos of the wee one. So cute it hurts! MJ
One of my favorite verses…beautiful an very true…when you do finally find the peace that passes all understanding it is amazing. God’s peace is truly the greatest thing we can ever be given. I looked and tried to find it for many years and then one day I realized I had it…it was so very good and I felt very connected to God….this was right before I lost both my parents within a year of each other….being an only child that was tough and very scary…but God got me through it and taught me much….since that time I have had His peace most of the time but there have been a few times MJ that it felt far away…I think He was testing me and trying me to see if I still had my faith which I do and will forever:) Beautiful blog and love the picture of a very sweet kitty:)
I couldn’t agree more, HRCG. I am so glad to know you had that connection before you went through such loss; it has been my anchor in the storm and, like you, there have been times that He felt far away. Then I realized the only one far away was me. Bests to you and Minnie as well.
MJ
Amen:)
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I agree with you…when I’ve experienced the loss of peace, I value it more when it returns to my life. I think I do learn from peace and happiness…having lived without, I savor those times…I deliberately and intentionally celebrate “the good stuff.” ~ Sheila
Perfectly expressed, Sheila.
MJ
It’s the peace that gives us the contrast (or I suppose a person could say it’s the pain that gives contrast). Either way, we need both to appreciate the peace and to be able to savor it.
Agreed! MJ