The first peace, which is the most important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize at the center of the universe dwells the Great Spirit, and that its center is really everywhere, it is within each of us.

Black Elk

After a while, you learn the subtle difference

Between holding a hand and chaining a soul.

And you learn that love doesn’t mean leaning,

And company doesn’t mean security.

And you begin to learn that kisses aren’t contracts

And presents aren’t promises.

And you begin to see your defeats

With your head up and eyes open,

With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build all your roads on today,

Because tomorrow’s ground is too uncertain for plans

And futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight.

After a while, you learn that even sunshine burns

If you get too much.

So you plant your own garden and decorate your own soul,

Instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that you really can endure

That you really are strong.

And you really do have worth.

And you learn and you learn…

With every goodbye you learn.

Veronica Schoffstall

Perform all work carefully, guided by compassion.

The Bhagavad Gita

And don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous.

Rumi