Peace 
By John F. Rifenberg
I’m at that stage in life where my body works at it owns pace and wisdom. Some of these body parts work whenever they feel like it. That’s not counting the heart burn, bloating of the stomach and a restless lower track. Then there’s the rattling in my mind as I try to think. Then, other parts of my body don’t work when I want them to. [Let your mind wander with that thought]. I’m not sure what is happening within my body and mind. I do know it’s getting noisy inside of me. Besides that my mind is starting to rattle, at least I hope that’s what I hear. The body is making all kinds of sounds, some you may have experience and the rest is just noise. It’s usually called the aches and pains of living. I’m sure that we all go through this or a degree of this. And none of this sound is in stereo. It seems to me, I have lost control of my body and mind or maybe I never had any control at all? I always have lived my life as I saw fit.
Somehow I need to find some harmony and peace between my mind and my body. Harmony is a secret saint. It’s the part of your life that you may not notice till it’s gone. Then you look back at your life and it’s a great period of time for you. Sometimes it’s just great when the sun comes up in the morning and then falls from the sky at night. Harmony is a step towards peace.
Peace is different, it doesn’t need to be in a place where there’s no noise, or no problems with white doves flying in the sky. Maybe it’s a place where the sound of hard work, and the noise of life happens daily. I think it means being in the middle of the storm called life and yet, being calm in your heart.
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John Rifenberg is co-chairman of the writing group of Royal Palm Beach. He has just finished his newest book “The Alphabet Out of Order,” which is an assortment of stories and poems, including his award winning short stories.
