On ataraxy

“ek·quaw·what·it·tee?” asked mouse nervously. 
“Equanimity,” repeated spider slowly. 
“And wh-wh-why,” blurted mouse anxiously, “do you think finding it could help me?” 
“It could bring you equilibrium.” 
“e·quaw-wha-wha-bree-um? 
And that’s when spider knew this was going to be a v-e-r-y long day. 

Mobile: Equanimity 

Size: 18” wide x 24” tall 

Colors: Raw, sanded metal … soon to be Nature White and headed to Quebec

I’d seen the sign a couple years ago. It’d be hard to miss. It’s pretty big. At the time, I thought it was a billboard for a Christian bookstore. And, honestly, its tagline seemed a little over the top: A Place of Solitude, Peace, and Prayer. All for a bookstore?! Well, turns out I was wrong. The Grotto is “possibly the best kept secret in Portland.” With 62 acres of meticulously manicured gardens, lush winding walking paths, and sweet quiet spots with spectacular views, it is one of the city’s largest green spaces and sees over 300K visitors a year. Officially, a National Sanctuary and home to the Servite Order, The Grotto was dedicated in 1924 with an all-inclusive proclamation that rings as right today as it did back then: “Let this be a sanctuary of peace for all peoples of the earth. Torn with differences, strife, and grief, the world needs sanctuary where the human spirit can seek peace and consolation.” The whole experience *was* really peaceful AND a good reminder for me that what we look for is often what we’ll see. I’m happy I looked again and was open to seeing something different.