My beloved teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh

Have you ever noticed that it feels like each of us has our own personal atmosphere? Atmosphere is more than a mood. It is the energetic expression of our attitude towards life and, most importantly, our expectations of life itself. Wherever I go I carry my atmosphere with me. Every experience I have gets filtered through that atmosphere. People can feel our atmosphere as I enter the room. Do I light up the room? Am I a party pooper? A fear monger?

In the forward to PEACE IS EVERY STEP by Thich Naht Hanh, His Holiness The Dalai Lama writes, “Although attempting to bring about world peace through the internal transformation of individuals is difficult, it is the only way … Peace must first be developed within an individual. And I believe that love, compassion, and altruism are the fundamental basis for peace. Once these qualities are developed within an individual, he or she is then able to create an atmosphere of peace and harmony. This atmosphere can be expanded and extended from the individual to his family, from the family to the community and eventually to the whole world.”

Each day I assess my own personal atmosphere. Knowing that my atmosphere affects everyone I come in contact with I make a commitment to have a loving atmosphere that creates peace wherever I go. My loving atmosphere expands from myself to my family and friends, to my community and to the world. Wherever I am, I am interested in being a place for Peace.

Affirmation:

There is no way to Peace, Peace is the way.