Sylvia Villalobos reminds us that peace begins within the hearts of each one of us—in our thoughts, in our words, and in our actions.
Let us join Thich Nhat Hanh’s Walking Meditation, maybe as we walk from the parking lot, as we commit to thoughts, words, and actions to create peace in our lives:
Take my hand.
We will walk.
We will only walk.
We will enjoy our walk
without thinking of arriving anywhere.
Walk peacefully.
Walk happily.
Our walk is a peace walk.
Our walk is a happiness walk.
Then we learn
that there is no peace walk;
that peace is the walk;
that there is no happiness walk;
that happiness is the walk…
Walk and touch peace every moment…
Each step brings a fresh breeze.
Each step makes a [rose] bloom under our feet.
Kiss the Earth with your feet.
Print on Earth your love and happiness.
Earth will be safe
when we feel in [ourselves] enough safety.—AMEN.
(Call Me By My True Names: The Collected Poems of Thich Nhat Hanh by Thich Nhat Hanh)