There is something profoundly sacred about sitting on a porch, watching the world unfold without hurry. I often find myself doing just that. I like to sit still, listen to the birds call to one another, watch rabbits dart across the yard, and observe the flowers and trees respond to the rhythms of sun and rain. It is in those moments I am reminded: nature does not worry.

The birds do not fret over their next meal. The bunnies do not pace about anxious over where they will sleep or what will come tomorrow. They simply live. They seek. They rest. They trust. Somehow, they always find a way to sustain and maintain without panic, without pressure.

Yet, humans, with all our intelligence, technology, and resources, struggle every day to find that kind of peace.

We worry about our bills. We worry about our children. We worry about tomorrow, next week, and five years from now. Inflation is real. Groceries are high. Job markets are uncertain. Our youth feel lost. Some are unsure about college. Others are navigating post-graduation limbo with little clarity and even less opportunity.

In many ways, worry has become our default state. But what if we could look to nature—not just as a retreat, but as a teacher?

Jesus said in Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” In verse 28, “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these.”

That is not just poetic. That is instruction. We are encouraged to model trust, not because we are naïve, but because we are held.

I will be the first to admit. It is hard not to worry. Life is heavy. The headlines are overwhelming. Sometimes, the pain and pressure we feel in our personal lives are even harder than what we see on the news. So no, I am not suggesting that we bury our heads in the sand or ignore our circumstances. I am suggesting we learn how to rise above being consumed by them.

Here are a few ways we can begin to embrace peace gently, intentionally, and without guilt:

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1. Observe and Imitate Simplicity

Spend time in nature—not just as a pastime, but as a practice. Watch how effortlessly the natural world thrives without resistance. Let it remind you to release what is not in your control.

2. Anchor in Daily Stillness

Create quiet moments every day even like five minutes of silence, deep breathing, or prayer. The goal is not to shut out the world but to invite clarity back in.

3. Practice Gratitude in the Present

Worry often lives in tomorrow. Peace lives in now. Try naming just three things each day that you are thankful for. Do not just name the big stuff. Include the simple, beautiful, and sustaining things you already have.

4. Unplug with Purpose

Give yourself space from the constant influx of bad news and toxic opinions. You do not have to consume everything just because it is available. Protect your peace like you protect your home.

5. Ask for Help When You Need It

If you find yourself overwhelmed with anxiety, sadness, or a sense of hopelessness that will not go away, know this: you are not weak. You are human and help is available. Therapy, counseling, support groups, even spiritual mentorship can all be lifelines. You do not have to carry it alone.

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Peace does not always come easily, but it is always possible.

Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as sitting on your porch, watching the wind move through the trees, and remembering that even the smallest flower trusts the rain will come. Let us choose that kind of faith. Let us pursue that kind of peace.

Even in the chaos, you are still growing. You are still sustained and you are still seen.

Enjoying the silence,

Coach Erika