“There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place, and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord. There are sweet expressions on each face, and I know they feel the presence of the Lord,” is a familiar Gospel song by Doris Akers, 1962. The unique experience of entering into a place where peace permeates the atmosphere is one many desire for themselves and their family.
“The atmosphere: It’s peaceful. The presence of God is in it. When I walked through the door, everyone was happy. It was a joyful environment.” – Myles K, age 11
Is this boy talking about his home, school, friend’s home, sports team, theater group, or dojo? Wouldn’t it be great if this could be said about each of these groups? It can.
Cultivating Peace
Cultivating habits of forgiveness, gratefulness, good will, meditation, and contemplation transforms and sustains our inner life. These habits produce peace of mind, body, and spirit. There is no greater joy than to know this deep inner peace.
A Reciprocal Experience
When an individual knows a peace within, that person’s peaceful radiance transforms the group atmosphere. Conversely, the group atmosphere, made up of other people’s loving presence transforms those within it.
“It (the atmosphere) helps me calm down when I am having a bad morning. Everyone is really nice here. Everyone welcomed me nicely and peacefully, and I felt good about being here.” – Ava S, age 10
Is this girl talking about her home, school, friend’s home, sports team, theater group, or dojo? Wouldn’t it be great if this could be said about each of these groups? It can.
Cultivating Love
The habits of the adults in each of these groups establishes the atmosphere in which our children live. What the adults emphasize is what our children experience. When we cultivate habits of forgiveness, gratefulness, good will, meditation, and contemplation, we model for our children what can sustain their inner life.
At Plumfield, we strive for this sweet atmosphere of love and peace. You are invited to visit and be exposed to the gentleness of a Charlotte Mason Education.