While I usually steer clear of religion and politics on this blog, I wanted to share something that’s been bringing me a genuine little spark of joy this past week.
With so many dark, scary, heavy headlines swirling around, I’ve noticed my social media feeds can start to feel like a constant drip of worry. I’ll open Facebook for a quick break, and instead of feeling refreshed, I feel more tense than I did before I logged on. It’s like the “news” doesn’t just stay on the screen, it follows you around.
But then something different started showing up in my feed.
Over the last week, I kept seeing posts about a group of venerable monks on a Walk for Peace. At first, it was just a photo here or a short clip there, quiet, simple moments that stood out in the middle of all the noise. And the more I saw, the more I realized why it was affecting me: it wasn’t trying to win an argument. It wasn’t trying to scare me. It wasn’t trying to push me into a side.
It was just… kindness.
So let me say this clearly, because it matters to me:
It’s not about politics.
It’s not even about religion.
It’s about spreading kindness, love, and peace to everyone they meet.
There’s something deeply comforting about that in a time when so much feels sharp and divided.
I’ve started following their journey through social media, and I’ve honestly found myself looking forward to the updates. I love seeing the small interactions, the smiles, the respectful conversations, the moments when people pause their day to offer water, wave hello, or simply stand quietly in support. It’s a reminder that goodness doesn’t always need a big stage. Sometimes it’s just showing up, step by step, with a calm presence and a gentle message.
One of the most beautiful parts, too, has been seeing how people of other faiths and backgrounds have shown up for them along the way. Watching churches, temples, and other places of worship open their doors, offering a safe place to rest, eat, or simply be welcomed, has been genuinely moving. Some people have even opened their homes. That kind of generosity hits me right in the heart, because it’s not about agreeing on every belief. It’s about recognizing shared humanity. It’s compassion in action, and it feels like the exact opposite of everything that’s been making the world feel so tense lately.
Another unexpectedly touching part for me has been seeing how many people are looking out for the monks. Watching law enforcement treat them with care, helping protect them, and embracing the purpose of what they’re doing has restored a little bit of my faith in human decency. It’s one thing to talk about peace, and it’s another to see people actively making space for it.
And then there’s Aloka, the dog who has joined them on the journey.
If you know me at all, you know this is the part that really gets me.
There’s something so pure about seeing a dog trotting along beside them, like a little furry ambassador of comfort and companionship. Aloka brings this softness to the whole thing, an extra reminder that peace isn’t just an idea. It’s a lived thing. It’s warmth. It’s safety. It’s trust. It’s the feeling of not being alone as you move through the world.
I don’t know where their path will take them next, but I do know this: following their journey has been a welcome counterweight to the heaviness of the moment. It’s been a small, steady reminder that kindness is still happening, out in the open, in real life, in the middle of everything.
And maybe that’s the whole point.
In a world that feels loud and frightening, sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is keep choosing peace, quietly, consistently, and with an open heart.
If you want to follow their journey as well here is where you can look up more information:
https://www.facebook.com/walkforpeaceusa