Peace at –9°F, V26, #02

Peace at -9°F

I was on my way to a retreat outside Bogota, Colombia, called Living in Grace. It was -9°F, the Northeast frozen under a winter storm. My flight? Departed on time. Landed early. The same flight, 24 hours later, was canceled before I even reached the airport.

At the Gate
In Chicago, I met Nelson from Bogota. When he learned I planned to take a taxi alone to the retreat center, concern filled his face.
“I love my country,” he said, “but there are some people who are not good.”
He wasn’t dramatic about it — just genuinely protective.
He strongly encouraged me to take a bus. I told him no, I would be taking a cab. So he fretted himself into action: securing the taxi, filling out the paperwork, texting with the driver, Jorge, escorting me through immigration, and making sure I was safely inside the car.
His kindness was a blessing.

In the Car
Jorge’s English was minimal. Nelson told him to speak slowly because I understood some Spanish. Sweet Jorge did speak slowly. I still missed about 90% of it.
I smiled. Thanked him. We connected beyond words for the 3.5-hour drive.
I had brought apples, cut up and ready to share. I offered them. He accepted with enthusiasm. I fed him one piece at a time, each covered in cinnamon and almond butter. His delight, smiles, and happy sounds were pure joy.
At the retreat center, he kept looking at the money, unsure how to tell me I’d overpaid. It took me a moment to understand — and when I did, I let him know it was all for him. We hugged goodbye.

Here’s what I’m recognizing:
I didn’t have a peaceful day because my circumstances went well.
My circumstances flowed easily because I was at peace.
Peace is generative.
Peace changes what I perceive.
What I perceive changes what I choose.
What I choose changes what unfolds.
When I’m peaceful, in love with Love, I’m more attuned to the One moving me.
Nelson.
Jorge.
The apples.
Connection without words.
All of it: grace meeting grace. Love recognizing itself.

Blessings and Joy,