As we begin a new year, I feel inspired to revisit Peace Pilgrim who inspired the title of this blog, “My Thoughts on Peace”. I have read the book of her life and teachings several times because it serves as a way to help me find my center whenever I feel I have lost my way. This morning I read the centerpiece of her beliefs about peace:
My pilgrimage covers the entire peace picture: peace among nations, peace among groups, peace within our environment, peace among individuals, and the very, very important inner peace – which I talk about often because that is where peace begins.
She talks about how she proceeded each day:
A pilgrim walks prayerfully, and a pilgrim walks as an opportunity to come in contact with many people, and perhaps inspire them to do something for peace in their own way.
When she is asked to summarize her message she says she does it in one sentence:
This is the way of peace – overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.
Finally, she says that the key word for leading a life of peace is practice.
“We have all the light we need, we just have to put it into practice.”
So on this second day of a new year, I look ahead to meeting with some friends this morning for coffee and fellowship and tonight attending a gathering at the home of dear friends. In between, simple tasks at home that, if I were Peace Pilgrim, I would take on with a joyful and willing spirit.
I am reminded of the words of the song we used to sing in church, “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.” I would add to that only these words, “One day at a time.”
Very nice thanks Judy!