I heard this story about Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk and peace activist. He was visiting the Fellowship of Reconciliation in Nyack, NY, one of the oldest peace groups in the world. It was bustling when he arrived, people rushing around as they worked on places of conflict around the world. There was an urgent energy in the air that was filled with tension. In the few days that he stayed there, the tension calmed down—because of him. He walked slowly. He smiled gently. He loved. And his peace transferred.

I think of myself. Sometimes I go out to lunch with someone, following some activity at the church. I carry with me whatever mood I’m in. I’d never thought about taking my frustrations to a restaurant and infecting this eating place with them. Or—I could take calmness and peace into that place.

But wherever I go, I encounter another community and I take where I am into that place. If I were to follow the model of Thich Nhat Hanh, I would take peace wherever I go.

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