Peace begins within, and today, I choose it.

As I gaze out the window this morning, I find peace in the calm, cleansing rain. I also sense a reminder.

A reminder to slow down. To breathe deeply. To let my body and mind soften for a moment. It doesn’t matter what time of day it is or where you are, give yourself permission to pause and soak in a little peace.

In these moments of quiet and peace, my soul finds an openness. Where fear and frustration once flared quickly, there’s now more space. Space to think. To respond rather than react. I’ve felt more grounded. More open. Not softer in my values, but more rooted in grace.

This shift hasn’t changed the boundaries I’ve set for others in my life. But it has changed how I hold those boundaries, with calm, with intention, and with kindness. I’ve learned that kindness doesn’t mean tolerating harm. It means leading with hope that maybe, just maybe, a different tone can reach someone in a way anger couldn’t.

It’s one of the most powerful lessons this season of growth has taught me.

Today I’m grateful for the quiet. For moments of reflection. For the rain. For both the loud and quiet actions I’m able to take. I’m grateful for the peace I’m starting to feel, and I wish for more peace, in whatever form, for each of us.