being independent, having a sense that I am going in the right direction in my life after all the drama that has happen over the past 3 years with me.

talking to my exes from years ago and them telling me they are happy for me and we are working on friendships. Its so nice to grow out of resentments and lay down sorrows and just enjoy people for who they are and not what pasts you shared. Something made us couple together. Its that part of us that we now share, except not romantically

A plethora of responses came to mind when reading the question, but I'll post the first one, which was a visual that momentarily took me away from this keyboard....

Straddling my sport bike (aka "crotch rocket"), wearing a full-faced helmet with full riding gear covering every inch of my body (meaning I'm privately passing through the world and those around me without a single regard to gender, race, age, identifying demographics, etc., etc... all people know is that I'm a human being, which is how I wish to be seen!), hauling down an open road. I feel the temperature changes and smell the cow crap and feel like I'm *in* the world, rather than an on-looker, and my mind finds a peaceful cadence with the jet-like engine between my legs. Yeah, I know, sheer terror for some is utterly peaceful for me. Maybe this is why there is no place - big or small - I haven't traveled on two wheels in the US and Canada. :nixon: (<--- double peace!)

Having a clean, organized home.

Riding my bicycle

My fur baby, Bear, coming over to me and laying his head on my lap with a big ol happy sign.

Learning to be at ease in my skin

Snuggling into my bed at night

Laughing with friends

a cleansing shower

Today I'm cleaning and organizing my apartment. This is a job I've decided to do over the three-day weekend. Throwing things out always helps me, and the smell of a nice, clean, scrubbed house. Mmmmm.

I took a break to have some hot soup, which always feels good. Later, I think I'll have Chinese.

It occurred to me that I want to make this year one of finding peace-peace living within myself, and radiating outward from myself. It's in several areas-feeling at ease in my skin (finally), spiritually, emotionally. I believe it's a more easily defined goal than "happy". Certainly, I want to attract someone who is also at peace, so I have to be that way myself.

I believe it's possible to be at peace, and yet be passionate and excited. In fact, I think stress and worry-anything not of peace-"blocks" real passion and joy. I don't want blocks :).

As of late, what give me peace is the ability to see peoples actions as belonging to them; an expression of who they are, and what lies in their hearts. Even if they call it by my name, does not mean it belongs to me. Kind of like watching an act in a play. When someones behavior is really ugly it brings me peace to be able to see it's just them, showing me who they are.......BOUNDARIES :candle:

Dancing around the kitchen cooking for people I love while drinking a nice red wine and listening to good music

Being on the lake or river fishing

Walking on the beach, listening to and feeling the pull of the tides as they roll in and back out again.

An ice cream cone

Driving down a long winding dirt road out in the country.

What gives me peace...
 

*Smoking my pipe and cigars;

*Swimming;

*Laughing with friends and family of choice;

*Eating steamed crabs with friends and family of choice;

*Sitting on my deck with a cup of coffee, listening to the birds singing, my squirrels running around hunting for their peanuts, and Dino snoring away.

Experiencing hope.

What gives me peace...