“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” – Jimi Hendrix
This Tuesday, February 10, a group of monks will complete their journey and arrive in Washington, D.C., after months of walking for peace. I’ve been transfixed by the images of their progress. They aren’t rushing. They aren’t carrying heavy packs or shouting. They are simply walking—one foot in front of the other—with a quiet, steady presence that seems to calm the very ground they touch.
In these final days of the Walk for Peace, I invite you to try a “Peace Walk” of your own, even if it’s just from your car to your front door:
- Lower your gaze: Soften your eyes and let the world come to you rather than reaching out to grab it.
- Feel the heel-to-toe: Notice the exact moment your foot meets the earth.
- Release the “Next”: For sixty seconds, stop trying to get to the next thing. Just be exactly where your feet are.
When we regulate our own internal state, we become a beacon of peace for everyone we encounter. The monks understand something that we often forget in our hustle culture: timing is everything. There is a time for the step, and a time for the pause. They also know that the time for this work is right now; we are in a season of dire need for peace, both in the world and within our own hearts.
Next time you feel the urge to rush, think of the monks. Take one conscious breath and remember that you are part of a much larger cycle. You don’t have to do it all today. You just have to take the next right step.
