In a busy part of downtown Seattle, I walked up to people on the steps (in this picture), and I began asking them if they would draw a card from the 1conversation for Peace deck I was holding. This was a different approach than I’d taken before, and it was met with varied responses. Some of the folks seemed annoyed by being pulled away from their “screens”, but without exception, every one of them drew a card. Other people took the cards and put them in their wallets or shirt pockets after reading the question. And, a few folks actually came up to me and asked what they were and if they could draw one.
There’s no way to know what folks chose to do with the cards, but for the moments I was on the steps passing them out, there was a focus on Peace that hadn’t been there before.
It’s not unusual for me to approach people in an effort to have a conversation about Peace, however, late this afternoon the conversation came to me.
After spending quite some time in REI looking at duffle bags (long story), I was in the shoe section trying on different cross trainers, and I mentioned to the woman who was helping me, that Chandler and I are Walking for Peace. She was very enthusiastic, sharing that she bicycles long distances, and asking a few questions about the logistics of the Walk.
A few moments later, another employee came up to me and asked about the Walk (her co-worker had mentioned it). I invited her to pull a card, passing it forward when she is ready. She asked if there was any way to get ahold of me, ecause she would like to connect with “people like me”. I gave her my card and mentioned that I would be happy to have a conversation about Peace with her any time she wanted.
Again, I have no way of knowing what she will do with the card, but we did get to spend a few minutes sharing with one another and filling the space with Peace.