I was driving in my Tesla, listening to “Love Song” by, Tesla (ironic, don’t ya think) and thinking about the different forms of love. In our teens and 20’s it’s all physical. We see love as an object; the flashy car, the perfect body or the desires a few minutes seem to fulfill. Then a little thing called maturity kicks in and we understand love in her many facets.
At 52, I love my collection of vinyls and reminiscing to tangible tunes from the 80’s and 90’s. I love my dog, the princess of the house and one constant of affection for the past 12 years. We love spouses, children and family members with a love that is indescribable during our personal times of peace and chaos. We equally love our times of solitude and over stimulation.
What do we love the most? Me, I love peace.
Reflecting on life and the times of reflective peace it was when I had what the world would define as less. Growing up on a 52 acre farm, I can remember the joys of walking the woods, down to the creek on a hot, Alabama summer and stripping butt naked to cool off and not a worry of someone spotting my full on manhood. The thrill of pulling an old metal paneling, striped from a kitchen stove, on the back of a 47 Willy’s with someone on the sled throwing gas bombs (yes, we made those with gasoline, a bottle and rag in the top) and watching them explode.
Peace from gas bombs? The peace came from the laughter, the lack of thought in the action and the joy of doing what you wanted and it not hurting anyone that may disagree.
I constantly ask myself, where can I find peace in my everyday?
Many will say, “Jesus”, and yes, this is a correct answer that many may not understand. It’s even difficult for a Christian to explain this response. Invoking Jesus is not a magic wand that we wave or throw up a prayer, expecting microwave relief. It is also not a “one and done” guarantee of a peace filled life until the next one.
Peace outside the above comes from freedom. We all seek freedom from burdens, freedom from negative feelings, anxiety, depression and all other vexes that plague our souls. I have found peace in the quiet, in the solitude and in key people who only bring peace and joy into their everyday. Much like Kal-El, I have created a fortress of solitude to reflect, reminisce and do the things that bring temporal joy.
Peace is love. This is not a hippie statement, this is a fact.
I truly began a journey of peace and love when I stopped caring what other people thought about me. Perhaps it is defined as self love in modern terms, but regardless it was life changing.
Do your best with the hand you’re dealt, work hard and be kind, but do not care what someone else says about you. During my divorce (which I have never nor will ever write about) a lot of misinformation was spread and it caught like wildfire. I never posted nor blogged about that time period, nor made incognito social media statements and a few in the know asked, “why”? Because I could care less about someone’s perceptions or misperceptions and I was finally at peace.
“Love is all around you, knocking outside your door…” – Tesla
Alex Putman 