Pondering Peace

Trust is a common theme in my writing. In The Awakening Series, I repeatedly use the phrase “Trust, let go, believe … the best is yet to come.” Intentionally woven it into all three books in this series, I believe these words can help guide us forward, especially when we’re unsure how to proceed. This three-tiered message provides hope when life feels confusing.

Yet recently, I realized that for me, a component of trust implies that things will turn out as I want them to. Perhaps I find it reassuring that if I just trust, let go, and believe, then maybe my hopes will come true. Of course, that doesn’t always happen. Many times, I’ve done my best to follow this formula, only to witness a result that is far from what I desired.

Curious about my relationship with trust, I began asking questions. After all, just because we put our trust in something doesn’t—nor shouldn’t—guarantee a particular outcome. Frequently, the Universe has other ideas. While I wanted to trust, might there be another way? How could I truly surrender and be OK with the outcome?

It’s then a new word surfaced … peace.

Peace is similar yet different from trust. While both require release, peace also implies an unconditional acceptance. Peace allows. It never dictates. It’s the contented sigh that all is as it should be. Yet, like trust, peace can only be achieved when we let go of control.

During those moments when I’ve been at peace, I’ve felt centered, better able to make the necessary adjustments to co-exist in harmony with what is. Instead of sensing an urge to fix, I’m calm and relaxed. It’s like soaking in a warm bath, sunbathing in a meadow, or sipping a cup of tea while wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. What once annoyed me no longer matters. I’ve let it go. Moved on. I am content.

The Holiday Season is filled with duality, moments of both awe and stress. While we often cannot control what comes into our life, we do have the power to decide how we respond. My hope is that you choose peace. Instead of letting your aunt’s nosey questions annoy you (believe me, I’ve been there), invite peace to join you at the dinner table. Whenever you’re worried about whether you’ve found the perfect present for your fussy friend, let peace assure you that whatever you give will be appreciated. And if you’re resentful that no one is helping you string the lights on the tree—because they’re all watching football—allow peace to provide comfort that they value your efforts. Because when we are at peace, what once felt out of sync gracefully finds alignment.

May peace be with you … not just during the Holiday Season, but for 2026 and beyond.