“I am a different person! Last night I had a gathering of my closest lifelong friends, we were 4 people in total. This gathering happens once a month for 30 years now.  
 
With all our ups and downs in life, the gathering is always the same formula. Mainly we chat about our own and the world’s issues.  
 
Last night there was someone new in our gathering and that someone was me. 
I was just different; I don’t know how to explain it. I felt at peace. I did not know I was not at peace until I was.  
 
My ego has shifted, and I was calm and not aggressive/judgmental internally and externally.  My friends kept asking me why I was so quiet, (happily quiet) or looking at me expecting me to say something at certain points of the conversation. 
 
I was just enjoying the conversation I was listening to.  
 
Two opposing views on a subject and I did not feel the need to pick a side or to express my view. I didn’t even know what my view was as I was just listening, not analyzing or thinking of a response. 
 
I was not on guard; I was more respectful. I did not know I wasn’t until I was.  
 
This calm peace of mind is intoxicatingly beautiful, and from the deepest recess of heart and soul, I say thank you.  
 
It is not a shattering; rather, it is opening a box and letting clouds float by and away.  
 
I am eternally and forever grateful.”