Life is hard. I’m not complaining, that’s just the way it is. And as I get older I see how much the world changes, how fast time moves, and how much I’ve carried to get this far. The body starts to give out and the concerns of the day seem to be a bigger challenge than remembered.
Having said all that, we should strive to avoid being around people who make life even harder. Nobody wants the constant criticism, the negativity, the need to argue about everything. People who can drain you with their mood, who find a problem in every solution, who make you feel tense the minute they walk in must be avoided. Personally, I don’t have the energy for that anymore and I sure don’t want it to find me. What I need now is different. I need people who bring comfort, calm, and a sense of peace. That’s the energy I must have around me.
Comfort is when someone feels like a place to rest. You don’t have to explain yourself. You can be quiet and it isn’t awkward. You can say you’re having a hard day and they don’t try to fix you or compare their story to yours. They just listen. They stay. That kind of comfort makes life feel less lonely.
Calm is when someone balances the room instead of stirring it up. They don’t overreact. They don’t turn small things into big things. They speak with kindness. They think before they respond. When you are around calm people, your own breathing slows down. Your mind stops racing. In a loud world, calm people are a relief.
And peace — peace is the most important. Peaceful people feel safe. You don’t have to walk on eggshells. You don’t have to wonder what they really mean or whether they’re talking about you when you leave. They don’t keep score. They don’t hold grudges. They want to see you well. When you’re with them, you can just be yourself. I’m not asking for perfect people. We all have bad days. But I am asking for people who try. People who care how they make others feel.
I’m at a point in life where I want to protect what peace I have. I’d rather have two or three genuine people who make life feel lighter than a house full of people who make it feel heavier. If life is going to be hard — and it will be at times — then let the people around me be the ones who make it softer, kinder, and easier to get through.
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” – Colossians 3:15
Being About The Journey 