At Ease

In my living room I have a picture of two white tulips.  Instead of the tulips standing tall as you often expect to see them, they are hanging down like an old man with his head down while he's sleeping in his favorite chair.  The phrase under the flowers is "At Ease."

It sits in a prevalent place in our living room and I see it daily.  It actually sits above the only recliner in the room.  It is fitting that the chair intended to help you rest is closest to the picture telling you to be "At Ease."  The picture is in memory of my grandpa and my uncle.

It reminds me to breathe.  It reminds me to be "at ease" with whatever is happening.  In the midst of dusting my house I walk by the picture and pause a bit in my soul.  I remember my dear family.  I remember that my uncle always enjoyed the simple things.  I remember that my grandpa would pick wild flowers for my grandma.  These thoughts remind me to take pleasure in the tiny moments and the simple pleasures of life.

It is difficult to find a place where you feel "at ease" in the midst of the busy moments of each day. There are schedules and "to do" lists, but it is essential.  There has to be a moment when the stresses of the day fall away.  There has to be a place where you feel "at ease" and can breathe and rest.  A few moments of ease can make all the other moments attainable.