Finding Hope in the Midst of Chaos: Lessons from the Walk for Peace Monks

Lately, I’ll admit, the events in our country have gotten to me.

Blowing up tiny boats that belong to another country is bad enough. But invading another country, kidnapping their president, and declaring oneself the new “President of Venezuela?” That’s something else entirely.

Then, there are open threats to take other countries, the anniversary of January 6th, the shootings, violent arrests, and intimidation of innocent people on our own soil. Add to that the dismantling of public broadcasting, the rewriting of history, and far too many people left hungry and out in the cold.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

It all feels driven by greed and power, with little regard for the human cost. In my wildest imagination, I never thought things could devolve so far, so fast.

And then… the Walk for Peace monks appeared.

In this country, monks rarely take on something like this. They’re doing it now because they understand—deeply—that we are in trouble. As my friend Nancy says, they know we’re in deep doodoo.

They have committed to walking 2,300 miles, across the country, in winter. At least one monk is in his 70s. They’re accompanied by a very sweet dog. This walk is an offering of peace, lovingkindness, and steady presence–to all of us.

With raw feet and paws, they’ve endured cold, rain, long days, and even a devastating accident that cost one monk his leg. And still, they walk.

And people are responding. Their following grows daily.

I watched a video of them this morning and found myself in tears. That they would do this for us—quietly, humbly—blows me away. Even now, thinking about them gives me chills.

It made me wonder: why don’t we have Walks for Peace everywhere? What if this is also how change begins? Not with shouting, but with steady footsteps and open hearts?

I had been feeling helpless, unsure how to respond, and avoiding social media. But this… this gives me hope.

As the activist Jane Fonda reminds us, those who thrive on fear want us to feel hopeless. So hope itself becomes a defiant act. These days, she says, her favorite form of exercise is taking a leap of faith.

Nature has always taught us this. Even in winter, when things look lifeless, strength is quietly moving beneath the surface. Seeds rest, roots deepen. Nothing is wasted. 

So, maybe hope doesn’t have to be flashy. Maybe it just has to keep walking.

Here’s a 3-minute, tiny but mighty practice to help you Walk Peace Into the World:

🌿Step outside, or walk slowly through your home. Let your feet touch the ground with awareness. With each step, silently say: Peace in.
With the next step: Peace out.

Let your pace be easy. No destination. No fixing.

🌿Imagine that each step sends a small ripple of calm into the world—into your body first, then outward. You don’t need to carry the weight of everything. Just this step. And this breath.

🌿After a few minutes, pause. Place a hand on your heart.
Notice: even now, peace is possible.

And here’s why that matters.

Every time you stop, every time you choose presence over panic, breath over reactivity, you add something real to the world. Not in a metaphorical way, but in a felt, energetic way. The field we live in is shaped by what we bring to it.

Just like the monks walking mile after mile, your quiet moment of peace becomes part of a much larger offering. One calm nervous system softens another. One grounded heart makes room for steadiness elsewhere.

Nothing you do in this direction is small.

By taking these few minutes, you’ve helped tip the balance—ever so slightly—toward compassion, coherence, and care. And that ripple continues, long after you return to your day.

The Power of Quiet Action

The Unassuming Heroes of Change

The Walk for Peace monks are rewriting the playbook on activism. No grand gestures, no loud protests—just quiet, steady footsteps. In a world that often values loudness and grand gestures, the monks' humble approach is a refreshing alternative.

Let's break it down:

• Consistency is key: 2,300 miles, one step at a time.

• No fanfare needed: Their humility is their superpower. They’re not doing it for the performative clout; they’re doing it to make a difference.

• Ripple effect: Their peaceful presence touches hearts far beyond their physical path. It’s giving hope in a time when hope feels hard to have. Their statement is speaking to those who feel lost.

What We Can Learn

The monks' approach flips the script on what we think it takes to make a difference. It's not about being the loudest voice; it's about being a steady heartbeat. Ask yourself: What's one quiet action you can take today to create positive change?

Remember, you don’t have to be the center of attention in order to make an impact. Humanity needs realness, calm, and love, too.

The Ripple Effect of Compassion

The Domino Effect of Kindness

Ever dropped a stone into a still pond? The ripples spread far and wide, touching the shore and changing the water's surface. 

The monks' walk is a beautiful illustration of how compassion can spread and grow. When we cultivate kindness and understanding, it doesn't just stop with us—it radiates outward, touching the lives of those around us. This ripple effect can be seen in the way people are responding to the monks' journey, with many being inspired to take action and spread peace in their own communities.

That's what happens when we cultivate compassion:

• Small sparks, big fires: Tiny acts of kindness ignite massive change. It might seem like it has less impact than the loud and aggressive moves, but never underestimate the power of one small action.

• Energy in motion: Compassion radiates outward, touching lives. There are a lot of people who are left feeling lost and helpless. The world is derisive and negative, and sometimes one small act of love can inspire another, and another, until the world is surrounded by it.

• You start the chain reaction: Your kindness inspires others to pay it forward. While it can feel like your one voice or individual actions don’t matter, that’s not true. You can start or be part of a chain reaction that leads to a beautiful outcome. Hope, peace, love, and joy can be a beautiful act of rebellion.

Your Move

The monks' walk shows us that even the smallest acts of compassion can create a tidal wave of kindness. What's one way you can spread kindness today?

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some ways you've seen quiet action create significant change in your life or the world around you?

2. How can you cultivate compassion in your daily interactions, and what impact might it have on those around you?

3. What's one small, quiet action you can take today to contribute to a more peaceful and compassionate world?