Peace Within Diversity

By: Hannah Stake

My door closes and I finally let out a sigh that I've been holding in for awhile.

So many thoughts are whizzing through my head at one time that I cannot grasp a single one. I'm wound up so tight I can feel it in my shoulders all the way down to my sweatshirt sleeves that my fingers are grasping the ends of. 

I rub my temples, brushing my bangs, as I plop down on my bed. 

I know there is only one process that can help me unwind and release today's stresses so I begin grabbing various items off my floor. One of them happens to be a rubber band so up my hair goes into a makeshift bun atop my head. 

Now I can finally focus.

My ukulele is brought down from the pegs that it usually rests upon and there are two books laying beside it, my journal and my sketchbook.

At times like these, simplicity is key, so I make sure I have only one soft pencil, my favorite black pen, and my warm vanilla candle burning. 

My Christmas lights sparkle form above and other than my flickering candle, it's the only source of light in the room. 

I place my ear buds in and immediately the piano and melodic voices of whatever deep calm song I'm into recently brings a new depth of emotion into my soul. 

Then I begin. 

My hand flies across my journal, curling onto the pen in a familiar way, as my heart fills the once bare pages. 

Soon those words are transformed to song as my ukulele lets out soft music, ricocheting off of the walls. 

After my fingers have plucked enough they gravitate again to the familiar grip of my pencil. Strokes soon appear on lined paper and a shape is formed. 

Lastly I breathe. 

Inhaling and exhaling whilst laying upon my pillows, focusing on each word being sung through my earbuds. 

Each word is purposeful and filled with emotion from someone who's had a day just like me. I lay there and appreciate each chord and word. 

It's not just one moment or one thing to do that brings joy and peace for me. It's a diversity. 

No one thing on earth can satisfy forever and that is what brings a vibrant diversity to each of our lives that would otherwise not be there.