I hope you are well and enjoying the warmer weather. What a joy to see leaves on trees, blossoms and flowers everywhere! Even if our circumstances haven't changed, we just feel better for the beauty around us. This is exactly why I have flowers and flowering plants in my home all year round.

 

I have been tuning out of the news for a while now, although I seek real information — which, by the way, only reinforces my awareness of the lies, manipulations and shallowness presented by news outlets. I do miss the 8:00 pm TV news from France because they always do a report on lovely places, interesting things happening or great craftsmanship.

 

Tuning out has progressively extended to negative and ego-driven emotions like doubt, fear, intolerance, anxiety and judgement, and it definitely feels like an act of faith.

As my inner space clears, I am trying to tune in to the other "voices" within. This, in a way, requires an even greater act of faith and some work.

 

The outer voices are easy to identify although not necessarily easy to block out: the people around us, family and friends, social media, the news, adverts, etc.

 

The inner voices are harder to discern and might defer from one person to another. They might be your inner voice, your wise self, your intuition, God's voice / Spirit, your soul, your purpose/calling, your dreams, your values or your integrity. 

 

These inner voices require stillness, space and reflection through reading and journaling. Leaving the shallowness of everyday life to dig deep within is conscious work. It is not a matter of "surrendering" and following what comes up instinctively. 

 

Reading Daniel Kahneman's book, Thinking Fast And Slow, I am horrified by how easily our mind gets it wrong. It is constantly using shortcuts and they are not all reliable. Obviously, it is a comfort to know that this is true for everyone but I understand it better now why you do have to lead a monastic life to reach higher levels of wisdom. You have to cut out a lot of interference and distractions.

 

I am not trying to access the wisdom of a spiritual leader but I really want to live in integrity with myself which means in a way that is aligned with what is true for me and what matters to me. I am exploring rest in a more intentional manner as it feels really important right now.

 

The rewards are self-acceptance and love, joy, creative inspiration and a more grounded sense of purpose — purpose meaning useful and deliberate action, not a lofty concept or mysterious calling.

 

So, as my body is being called outside by a colourful and abundant nature, my spirit is calling me within. The ultimate reward is peace and that's what I am aiming for. Isn't it what you aspire to as well?

 

I leave you with this quote that found me when I finished writing this letter to you: