"Though we may not understand the whys of our circumstances, by thanking God we grow to acknowledge that He is in control-that He can be trusted. We learn to release our iron-tight grip on our circumstances, and we experience a much-welcome reprieve from worry....The antidote for anxiety is to pray with thanksgiving.... The act of gratitude reminds us that God is worthy of our trust."-Debbie Macomber

I believe that trust is the key to peace and happiness and the road to trust includes gratitude.  I have seen the power of gratitude in my life.  I see it and still a part of me tries to fight it.  I don't know why. I guess that is why I am still learning and still striving.  I am writing this blog because I was told to write it.  Trust.  Look around-we have so much to be grateful for even when things don't go as we want.  I often tell my adult children-if life isn't moving how you want it to-slow down-ask yourself why.  Listen and trust the answer that comes to you.  Be grateful for the gifts and the lessons-they are the bricks that lay the pavement on the road/journey we are on.  Peace.

"Being at one with what is doesn't mean you no longer initiate change or become incapable of taking action. But the motivation to take action comes from a deeper level, not from egoic wanting or fearing. Inner alignment with the present moment opens your consciousness and brings it into alignment with the whole, of which the present moment is an integral part. The whole, the totality of life, then acts through you."-Eckhart Tolle

Knowing on a deep level who you are and what you need to do should give you peace.  You should feel that you are where you need to be.  If it doesn't feel right then you need to ask yourself questions.  I believe that true peace comes when you are on the right road for you.  It won't be the same as someone else but we are all connected but only one person can be on your road doing your work-you.  When you live now-in the present-you enjoy life more.  It isn't a destination-it is a journey.  Trust your heart.  Listen.  Peace.

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord.... They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit."- Jeremiah 17:7-8

I do believe that learning to trust is why we are here.  It is what so many of us need to learn- a very important life lesson.  No matter what storm hits you, to have the trust to stand strong believing and trusting.  Trees often get battered by storms and wind and weather but they stand strong with roots well imbedded.  We all should take a lesson from that tree and stand strong trusting that all is well or soon will be. Peace.

"Sometimes, when we don't have the courage to change, everything changes around us to direct us to a new path."-Rhonda Byrne

I believe that sometimes when we are headed in a wrong direction, we know it.  It doesn't feel right.  Our heart tells us but we get so caught up in that way of life or we are too scared to change.  But when we are headed in the right direction then everything starts working out.  We might call that fate but it is because we are in the right direction.  I have experienced this when I made a job change-it was amazing how each step worked out perfectly at just the right time.  It was meant to be. Peace!

"...this life path we're following now isn't exactly well marked. It's more like one of the faint, overgrown trails in the woods across the road than a paved roadway-barely visible at times, not found on any map, discerned more by feeling and intuition than by knowing.... Much as I might wish for a GPS for life, it seems that we're destined, for now, anyway, to bushwhack."-Katrina Kenison-The Gift of an Ordinary Day

A GPS for life-what an AWESOME idea.  So many times I have been at a crossroad and just not sure which way to go.  I want to pick the right choice.  It can be a very scary thing to do.  I know I need to trust that I can listen to my heart and just do it.  In the end even if we chose wrong, I believe, that you end back on the right road anyways having learned many lessons on the way.  So I guess just don't sweat it-trust and move forward and enjoy the sights along the way.  Peace.

"There are times when you choose to believe something that would normally be considered absolutely irrational. It doesn't mean that it is actually irrational, but it surely is not rational. Perhaps there is suprarationality: reason beyond the normal definitions of fact or data-based logic; something that only makes sense if you can see a bigger picture of reality. Maybe that is where faith fits in."-W.M. Paul Young-The Shack

We are not meant to see the WHOLE picture or even the ending picture before we get there.  We think we want to know but I think it would just be TOO much for us to handle.  That is why we must have faith and trust that since God knows how it needs to work out perfectly for our journey as well as everyone's-that all will be the very best.  Have faith and trust. Peace.

"I used to think that when I had a conflict, the only way to become peaceful again was to make a decision, to resolve the conflict. It rarely worked....Lately I've begun to realize that if I put becoming peaceful at the top of the list, if I choose to be peaceful first, before making my decision..., the decision becomes simple.... When I put peace first, I just know what to do."-Allen Watson

Why is it so hard to hand over the reigns-to trust-to believe-to have faith?  I feel very close to God and still I struggle with this.  I believe this is my mountain to overcome.  Some days, I am successful but other times not so much.  I have plenty of proof!  And as these words say-when I let go and put peace first-all works out for the very best.  Today I will put peace first and tomorrow that will be my goal too.  Day by day. Peace.