I couldn't resist Desiderata's invitation to "go placidly amidst the noise and haste and remember what peace there is in silence."

"Yes!" my inner child cheered as I seized the opportunity to play hooky from the chaos of routine busy-ness.

I ventured on a meditative walk to visit and talk story with a beloved kupuna in-form-ation as an aged mango tree whose habitat is the nearby Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, a place of peace and tranquility.

Tutu Tree's branches gracefully beckoned, "E komo mai."

I removed my walking shoes, hugged Tutu, genuflected, and rested my head on her weathered trunk. Then I closed my eyes while Tutu hummed a familiar lullaby.

An earthy fragrance reminded me of a time described on the leaves of the Tree of Life when The Creator formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living being.

Joyce Rupp's poetry infused my thoughts: "Once upon a time a child of happiness danced upon the land, knew friendship with the earth, and celebrated life with her love of solitude and simple things."

A child's hearty laughter redirected me to the present. I watched a little girl playfully chase a feral rooster. Once upon a time I, too, was carefree.

My meditative walk became a game of rediscovering the sacred in the ordinary: Divine artistry on butterflies' wings, geometric patterns on a spider's web, music of the spheres in the buzzing of honeybees during their pollination dance, and an empty bird's nest skillfully woven with dried grass and strands of colored cellophane.

I watched a monarch butterfly spread its wings in the morning sunlight. Like me, it also needed nourishment from The Light.

Be still and know that I am.

"Let us pray," whispered Tutu Tree.

Surrounded by the beauty of the gardens, I stood beneath the majestic Ko'olau mountains with outstretched arms and a heart full of gratitude: For this day and all thy blessings, we give Thee thanks and praise.

I will lift mine eyes onto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light onto my path. Amen.

Bobbie Pidot-Guffey is a hospice nurse and facilitator for The Hawai'i Center for Attitudinal Healing, founded by Dr. Gerald G. Jampolsky. Expressions of Faith is a column that welcomes submissions from pastors, priests, lay workers and other leaders in faith and spirituality. E-mail faith@honoluluadvertiser.com or call 525-8035. Articles submitted to The Advertiser may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.