Finding Peace

Words & Photography
by Dana Ferrer



Wouldn’t have thunk it, but after moving so much throughout my life, the one thing that can make any place "home" is a sense of peace (shoutout to all the girls who can pack up their entire lives in a night, with music and wine).

I want peace in my home more than I want pictures on the walls, or stylish furniture and accessories. This doesn’t negate the fact that we enjoy making our space special, but we recognize that filling it up with things without first identifying what THE most important thing is, often leaves us with a bunch of stuff that we’ll probably sell on Craigslist anyways, and a whole lot of chaos.

When my house is a mess nothing productive happens, and this is coming from someone whose room, well into her late teens and early 20’s, was a perpetual disaster. Even in those spaces I tried— my college roommates will tell you about my meditation corner. On this table were my candles and books and incense and flowers and notes that made me happy.

This doesn’t negate the fact that we enjoy making our space special, but we recognize that filling it up with things without first identifying what THE most important thing is, often leaves us with a bunch of stuff that we’ll probably sell on Craigslist anyways...

Like many people, my space is a reflection of my life. But it’s funny, I’ve fought so hard to keep my space tidy (even with my toddler who draws on things, and breaks things, and spills things on things...) to gain a sense of control, because in too many instances in my life I haven’t had control over circumstances.

My friends will tell you that they can hardly reach me, probably because my mind and body are always busy. If I’m not working, I’m cooking. If I’m not cooking, I’m cleaning. If I’m not cleaning, I’m teaching Ava or wholly immersed in bath time. My husband is the same way, he’s my calm but he’s just as "busy" as I am; he’s loading the dishes or folding our umteenth pile of laundry.

It sounds great, but it really is just counterproductive. For it to bring out the intended purpose we must actually be AT peace. How many of us are controlling aspects of our lives without first looking inward, because we feel out of sync? Urging you to take some time today to tidy up your heart and renew your soul. I think we will find that our lives will fall naturally into swift order. A daily practice and a balancing act for sure.