Peace of mind is a contradiction of terms.  Richard Rohr

Real peace is different than “peace of mind”.  Our minds are seldom at peace.  Real peace happens when one is willing to move past the mind.  Inward.  Only there, beyond the voices can we make room for its presence.  We are inclined to think just the opposite.  We assume given enough effort we can find peace somewhere else.  So we struggle to make something of ourselves, to work, to get out of our situations, to ascend, to shoot for the stars, to justify, to become, to go, etc….  always, there is an outward trajectory. 

But, we cannot earn peace.  We cannot make ourselves worthy.  It is a gift.  None of us deserve.  Not even those of us who are religious.  (Especially not even those of us who are religious.)  Today, in your grief.  Stay.  There.  Inward.  Don’t attempt to get “out”. You cannot.  It’s only a form of denial and avoidance.  Stay.  There.  Make room. Let Peace in.