The Journey Inward

A place of peace and quiet,
Only the rustling of the leaves,
From the scampering of the squirrels
Disturbs the silence.
Outside this sacred space,
The city is bustling and bursting,
Adults commuting to work,
Children walking to school,
Businesses showcasing their wares,
Cafes grilling up goodness -
A world alive with busy-ness and purpose.

But it is here in this gentle space,
That I feel most connected to my purpose,
That I feel most connected to my contribution,
That I feel most connected to humanity,
That I feel most connected.

When I am still, and it is quiet,
I can recognize that my purpose, my contribution,
Is to fully embody myself,
And go out into the world as I am,
Flaws and foibles, energy and enthusiasm,
Living authentically as myself,
And giving others permission,
In fact, urging them,
To do the same.

Because don't we all just wish to be seen?
Don't we all just pine to be heard?
Don't we all just yearn to be known?
Known and loved and accepted,
Not for the person we've created,
But for our own unique and true identities?

Aren't we all just exhausted,
From putting on a show all the time?
Fatigued from the falsehoods and fakeness?
Saddled by the anxiety of being found out?

In this place of eternal rest,
And eternal peace is where we all end up,
Shouldn't we find temporary rest
And temporary peace in the time we walk this earth?
Shouldn't we surround ourselves 
With people who enhance our journey and exult us?
Shouldn't we be that for others?

I don't think I have found a single place on earth,
That makes me dig deeper,
Be more self aware,
Or take a more thorough inventory of my life,
Than a cemetery.

How do I capture that every day, everywhere?
I can carry these places of solitude and solace,
These places of peace and perspective,
These places of truth and transparency,
In my very soul,
So that they can be accessed whenever I need them.

Photos:  Historic Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, GA.  11.8.24