Two thousand three hundred miles. They did it!
This is unprecedented, something I'm not likely to see again in my lifetime: a simple, silent walk for peace, with tens of thousands of people turning out in bitter cold to cheer them on and thank them.
So, why do I feel sad?
One is it's over, and I'm happy for them, I'm honored that they would put themselves out in that manner, that they are dedicated and are spreading peace and kindness, and I was concerned for them walking in the subzero temperatures, yet I wonder, will it be like Forrest Gump, when he stopped his walk, his followers wandered around lost?
A friend I hadn't heard from in a while called me this morning, and she had never heard of the Walk for Peace but then we had been out of touch. I was so excited to follow the walk and share the news, yet I don't hear any cheering around here. Many didn't see it on the news. I only found that the news covered it because someone on Instagram posted the link to a broadcast about the Walk for Peace.
I haven't spread the word loudly enough. I don't hear any cheering that they have reached their goal. Nobody commented.
The lead monk, was however, surprised at the turnout. He excepted a few yet thousands came. He also said that some cried in front of him and said, "I wouldn't be here except for you."
This should be big news. But then, pictures and comments are mainly on Instagram, photographed on phones by people who took the time and effort to join the ranks of marchers.
And maybe I wanted to be there.
Maybe I'm sad because something I consider so monumental is taken lightly by others. But then maybe that is the way life is, it excites you but doesn’t excite others. Yet I thought this was more than a belief system. This was a movement, an event.
Yet, I carried away encouragement. I believe an awakening is happening! Love will triumph. I followed them on paper. I was given hope and encouragement. I was uplifted. The walk wasn't political or wasn't meant to be. It shows that we need a leader. We need something that excites us and gets our blood moving.
It changed my view on happiness and peace. We want internal peace for our spirits, our hearts, and our psyches. We need it. Happiness will come and go. Yet, when you hang out with happy people, you are uplifted. Love touched my heart, and I walked with them in spirit, and they changed people's lives along the way. When love touches an individual, they feel it. They are forever uplifted in ways they may not know for a long time.
