Day 48 …and more

A little over six weeks ago, I began the Walk for Peace. So many things have happened, that it’s difficult to know where to begin.

In some ways, I feel like I started walking  yesterday. In others, I feel like I’ve been walking forever. It’s as if time has stilled inside me and all of my experiences are one.

I’ve definitely experienced the concept of 6° of separation. An attorney friend of mine in Grass Valley referred me to an attorney and his wife who she knew in Vacaville for a place to stay. As we talked the evening I stayed with them, we discovered that my godmother had been in the same law school class with this man and his wife 29 years ago. Today, as I connected with someone I met three days ago on the Walk, I became aware that he knows a dear friend of mine in Auburn who housed me on day three of the Walk.  For me, those connections are a beautiful reminder that while I may feel far away, I, and we, are always connected.

Many people I have come across are rushing to get somewhere or hurrying to complete something in preparation for the next thing on their list. I find however, that if I can make eye contact, there is almost always a moment available for a “hello”, a “good morning”‘ or a “how are you?”.  For me, the simple act of meeting someone’s gaze is often for only a moment, and I want what I send out to be Peaceful.

It has been delightful to have Chandler with me on the Walk. She is often the first contact with people I end up in conversation with. When they see her, people tend to soften. Many times, they smile or giggle when they see her riding in the buggy, and a conversation sparks from there. Over and over I have seen her delight at meeting someone new be the reason a person stops, takes a moment to give her some love and becomes willing to engage in conversation with me. I am regularly reminded by Chandler that enthusiasm is contagious.

When I am crossing intersections, I often notice that people begin to drive their cars into the intersection before I have finished crossing. It was a bit unnerving the first few times it happened, and I found myself getting irritable about it – often before it happened. Of course, this doesn’t really align with Peace. I wondered what I could do to lessen my irritation, and I came up with a solution that works. Whenever someone who has crossed the lines with their car notices me and backs up so the crosswalk is clear, I make it a point to thank them. For me, righteous indignation leads to disease within myself. And, consciously choosing to interact with gratitude brings me Peace. I’d much rather let go of the anger and be in the energy of thanks.

I carry all of my belongings in the buggy I push on the Walk. That means that whatever I purchase has to fit in it, without impeding Chandler’s riding space. I have several ditty bags with different items in them, in case I need to move things out to collapse the buggy for transport.  One of my friends asked which bag would be the most difficult to lose. At first, I thought it would be the one with my toiletries.  I soon realized however, that it would not be difficult to replace anything that I had in the buggy. A couple of weeks later, raccoons got in to the buggy and ate Chandler’s food. That day, although I knew I would have an opportunity to purchase more food for her, I was unsettled until I actually had the food on hand. For me, the connection to the health and wellbeing of someone else (in this case, Chandler) made me aware of how little importance stuff has compared to the great importance beings have.

Each day on the Walk presents opportunities to know greater Peace. Occasionally, it’s through a reminder of how small the world is. Or quick eye contact and a word or two. Maybe it is through an animal’s exuberance. Sometimes, it comes through dealing with discomfort differently by shifting the focus and energy.  And, it comes with the knowing that the companion you travel with is far more important than any of your stuff.

The Walk for Peace continues…