Recently, my family and some friends visited a small town in Mississippi to enjoy an excellent friend and coworker's wedding.
Like most people, staying in a hotel is less comfortable than an Airbnb. Luckily, we found a remote little cabin in the woods that sat on approximately 40 acres. The long winding driveway lined with tall pine trees led you to a little piece of paradise out in the middle of nowhere, and the only thing you could hear was the birds chirping.
"It looks like a Lincoln log house,” the kids who were with us said as we pulled up to it, and it did. It was a beautiful log home with a porch wrapped all around – perfectly served with the cup of coffee I was going to drink the following day, I thought. In essence, it was peaceful.
I sometimes think that we get so bogged down in life with the things that must be done immediately and the many different plans we’ve made that it's hard for us to stop and enjoy peace. My friend, peace is priceless not only in your personal life but also in your day-to-day activities.
There’s enough chaos and confusion in this world and we don't need to add to it. Anything we can do to take away from that chaos is helpful.
While at the cabin, I enjoyed the pitter-patter of little feet running to and fro, the occasional screams of “SPIDER,” and the laughs and the giggles. It was all so much fun. But everything was quiet when our guests left, and it was just the two of us.
My husband and I needed some time away, and we soaked up every moment of that quiet peacefulness. Sometimes a quiet getaway to the middle of nowhere with a porch to hold your troubles is all the therapy you need for the next week or month. It’s okay to stop and take a break. Our list of concerns will be there tomorrow. I don't know about you, but I know who goes before me so those concerns can wait a day.
The Lake Isle of Innisfree
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honeybee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.
And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the morning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.
I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.
– William Butler Yeats
Ashley Carter is a wife, mother, and grandmother living in Elmore County, where she and her husband run Farm to Table Living and Carter Farms. Ashley serves as Controller and Executive Assistant at 1819 News. She is currently working on an inspirational book of short stories. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email ashley.carter@1819news.com.
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