Peace is a transient condition secured by ongoing persistence.

I’m still learning to accept that there is no ‘arrival.’ I knew that— but something in me still hoped to reach it someday. A cognitive dissonance existed between my idealistic expectation and understandings gained through experience.

// an excerpt from my journal

My walk is like a bathroom. Dirty at first, so I begin to clean. Then clean again. And clean some more. I’m happy cleaning. I see the progress and feel empowered.

Nothing beats the liberated exhale after putting down the sponges and supplies. Seeing, breathing, smelling cleanliness— the fruit of my labor. Now able to appreciate all that’s here, I look and see that it is good. 

As days go by I use the bathroom, even make it available to others. I’m no longer anxious of allowing them to see me.

However, slowly but steadily new dust settles. The stains form. The mirror clouds. The good smell is faint, if even there. My clean room is dirty again.

I didn’t notice as it happened. I wanted to relish a little longer in this moment of peace; that’s all I could see. Blind to the transition that took place from the moment I stopped cleaning me.

// Guard your heart; renew your mind daily.

Peace of mind has come as I’ve grown to accept that it requires effort. I had to be patient with myself, set daily habits that encourage mindfulness, seek counsel, learn the freedom of being vulnerable.

The peace isn’t in these things themselves, but they do help in building up self-acceptance. What’s strengthened me most is having anchoring Truths to re-center onto when I feel overwhelmed. I have chosen to root myself in Biblical Scripture.

Through this project, I wanted to share a piece of this understanding with you. Please head to the shop to check out our free journaling guides and other products from this release.