Peace

I'm continually searching for peace wherever I can.

In a steaming hot bath to soak sore muscles. The high after a run. The lightheadedness after a martini. The dancing flames of a fire. Soft, cool sheets that were just washed. Standing outside while it's snowing when everything is eerily quiet. A secluded forest with no one around. Watching tiny waves lap onto the shore. The feeling of soft carpet on bare feet. Laughing with the people who matter the most to me. Happy Hours that really are happy. Spontaneous adventures. Sentence fragments.

From the slow rise and fall of his chest to the warmth of his arms. His smile and his eyes. When he looks at me as if his heart is going to explode.

A sincere hug from someone who really wants to hug. Wrapping myself in a soft blanket. When my mother still tells me "good girl" when I did something she approves of. Not always needing approval anymore. Being happy with myself, who I am, how I act, how I look and how I feel. Not feeling the need to offer explanations. Keeping some things to myself.

Making peace with bad decisions and moving on. Not looking back. Not wasting time.

Learning new words from a book (like "fecundity"). Getting back to my forgotten novel. Constantly picturing Stewie saying "how's that NOVEL YOU'VE BEEN WORKIN ON?" in my head whenever I think about my novel.

Dark chocolate. Family recipes. Garlicky tomato sauce. Dancing with headphones on. Sleeping through the night.

Peace is everywhere. Find it.