On a warm October day,
I paddle out to the middle of the lake
and float in the reflection
of the autumn colored trees.

It has been a very dry fall,
and the leaves make a crunching sound
as they blow in the breeze.
The sun shimmers on the water,
and its warmth bounces onto my face.

I lean back and close my eyes.
I inhale the clean green scent of the water.
I sigh.

There is a lyric in my head,
a recent earworm on repeat. Leon Bridges sings, ‘I’m in a peaceful place.
I found something no one can take away’.

A wave of gratitude and contentment washes over me,
and I wonder…

…how did I get to this peaceful place?
What was The Way?
What was The Path?

Every moment was the way.
Every breath was the path.
Every step was the way.
Each decision was the path.
Each mistake was the way
Every choice was the path.
Every challenge was the way.
Every loss was the path.
Each heartbreak was the way.
Each win was the path.
Every joy was the way.
Every illness was the path.
Every trial was the way.
Every action, interaction, and reaction, was the path.
Each and every thought was the way.

And how do I remain in this peaceful place?
I remain in this peaceful place by taking one day at a time
one step at a time,
one breath at a time,
one right thought,
one right word,
one right action at a time, moment after moment after moment.

Every moment, of every day is the path.
Everyday life is the way.

Every day life is the way to peace.
Everyday life is The Way.