As a writer, I have the blessing of being able to think and ponder a lot, and the privilege of putting my thoughts on paper for others to read. The challenge is that sometimes I need to think and write in the midst of chaos and noise. Isn’t that true for all of us?

The noisy world that we all love will continue revolving on its axis regardless of our individual needs. We are each on a lifelong journey to search for and find our own peace in this world. The Fuji Declaration says in part, “We will continually strive to free the human spirit for deep creativity.”  We must use our Divine Spark to liberate our spirits to create and innovate for the benefit of the world we live in. Even when that world happens to be clamorous or turbulent.

The noise we often find bothersome is simple noise. The noise of other people living their lives. Voices that are a little too loud. Volumes turned up a little too high.

But there is a more profound noise in the world. The noise of war, racial divisiveness, corporate greed, sexual enslavement, class warfare, and all aspects of man’s inhumanity to man. This is the noisy drumbeat that our spirits seek respite from. This noisy drumbeat tries to drown out quiet works of charity, silent prayers, soft words of love, calm conversations and peaceful relationships. Each of us must find and store a well of inner peace to drown out the noisy drumbeat.

By honoring and living the Fuji Declaration in our daily lives, we can constantly refill our reservoir of inner peace to assure our tranquility on life’s journey. Many find comfort in prayer and meditation. Others find their inner peace in solitary pastimes like reading, writing, quilting, painting, sewing, and working on handicrafts that beautify their homes. Researchers have found that daydreaming is good for you; it can help with relaxation and to be more creative. Some among us find their inner peace on a treadmill, jogging on a nature trail, doing yoga in a sunny room, or tai chi in the backyard. And yet others find inner peace by doing good deeds – feeding a hungry neighbor, baking treats for the school fundraiser, or hugging a crying child.

It does not matter how you find your inner peace, but only that you do. And once you find that your spirit combats noise with a kind of quiet inner peace, you will realize that your Divine Spark has been lit.  Just as it is easier to light a match when the air is calm, so too does the Divine Spark ignite quickly in a peaceful soul.

As the first line in Max Ehrmann’s poem Desiderata reads: “Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.”

Sign The Fuji Declaration