Peace Be With Your Ghosts

We spend so much time warring with the things we don’t like about ourselves, about our lives. We rage against our ghosts.

You can see this in our language. We struggle with depression and anxiety. We fight to get over heartbreak. We battle thoughts of suicide or self-harm or self-hate.

Sometimes I wonder if all this fighting isn’t hurting us more, if the violence isn’t taking its toll.

Sometimes I wonder if instead of fighting, if we’d be better off welcoming depression or heartbreak or hardship with a handshake of peace. Befriending the things that hurt us. Loving the enemies inside us.

Maybe this won’t leave us so tired. Maybe this won’t leave us so defeated.

And it’s not giving in. It’s not saying we will just be depressed or will just be haunted.

Offering peace to our enemies is something much more powerful. It makes them no longer our enemies. It strips their power to hurt us.

It’s no longer a battle, but a homecoming. It’s welcoming an old friend.

Anxiety, my trusty friend. I’ve known you all my life. Let’s be at peace.

It’s a familiar greeting.

Peace be with you, ghosts. You are welcome here.

It’s a deep breath.

Peace be with you, panic.

A close of your eyelids.

Peace be with you, heaviness.

 A gentle touch.

Peace be with you, heartache.

And maybe it won’t solve all our problems. Maybe it won’t heal all our wounds, or protect us from all abuses, or completely stop the pounding in our souls and aching in our heads.

But maybe it will bring you us a bit of rest. A bit of relief. A bit of peace.

Let’s practice together, shall we?

Peace be with you, monsters.

And peace be with you, loneliness.

Peace be with you, hopelessness.

And peace with you, purposelessness.

Peace be with you, cut up soul.

And peace be with you, longing.

Peace be with you, anxiety.

And peace be with you, depression.

You are welcome here.

And you will do no haunting.

—