Note: Reflection offered by Liz Sorensen Wessel

“This is the way of peace — overcome evil with good, and falsehood with truth, and hatred with love.” ~Peace Pilgrim

Her quest began in 1953 when she set out on a personal pilgrimage and she continued her journey for more than 25,000 miles over 28 years. She had discovered inner peace and was compelled to share her message peace with others.

"Among mature people war would not be a problem — it would be impossible."~Peace Pilgrim

When I was first introduced to the life of the Peace Pilgrim, I must admit I a small voice of doubt crossed my mind, “Was she crazy? Why else would a person leave a life of luxury and comfort to choose homelessness?  What I discovered was a woman of purpose; a visionary, a humble enlightened one.

Born Mildred Lisette Norman, she recalled, “AS I LOOKED ABOUT THE WORLD, so much of it impoverished, I became increasingly uncomfortable about having so much while my brothers and sisters were starving. Finally I had to find another way. The turning point came when, in desperation and out of a very deep seeking for a meaningful way of life, I walked all one night through the woods. I came to a moonlit glade and prayed. I felt a complete willingness, without any reservations, to give my life – to dedicate my life – to service. ‘Please use me!’ I prayed to God. And a great peace came over me.”~Peace Pilgrim

“Just after I dedicated my life to service, I felt that I could no longer accept more than I need while others in the world have less than they need. This moved me to bring my life down to need level. I thought it would be difficult. I thought it would entail a great many hardships, but I was quite wrong. Instead of hardships, I found a wonderful sense of peace and joy, and a conviction that unnecessary possessions are only unnecessary burdens.”~Peace Pilgrim

Throughout her pilgrimage, she walked across the continent meeting people through all walks of life, connecting by way of an open and receptive heart. “I work for my living in an unusual way. I give what I can through thoughts and words and deeds to those whose lives I touch and to humanity. In return I accept what people want to give, but I do not ask. They are blessed by their giving and I am blessed by my giving."~Peace Pilgrim

Recently, my friend, Sue and I were discussing the state of the world. So often the magnitude of problems feel beyond our control and we resign ourselves thinking there is nothing we can do. Yet, isn’t this how problems develop? Too many of us becoming complacent, thinking someone else will take care of things?

 The Peace Pilgrim offers us this wisdom. “To the millions who live in this world today let me say that there are many worthwhile things little people can do, both individually and collectively. When I dedicated my life to be of as much service as possible to my fellow human beings someone said to me very sarcastically, ‘What do you think you can do?’ And I replied, ‘I know I am a little person and can do only little things, but there are so many little things that need to be done.’ And I never had any trouble finding worthwhile little things to do. When I started my pilgrimage I was asking for very big things and someone said to me then, ‘You might as well ask for the moon.’ But I answered, ‘If enough of us little people ask together even very, very big things will be granted.’ I can say this to you: Live the present. Do the things you know need to be done. Do all the good you can each day. The future will unfold.”~Peace Pilgrim

Individually, it is true that our contributions may be small. Yet, every act of kindness feathers out beyond what we can ever know. On a walk to the park my grandson, Cyrus noticed a homeless man sleeping on the grass. He said, “Grandma, I feel sad that this man does not have a home where he can sleep. When I grow up I will be rich and I am going to buy a big mansion with a thousand rooms. I will go all around and invite all the people who need a place to live to come to my house. We would need at really big kitchen table. Each of the rooms will have a refrigerator and in it will be really good ice cream."

“Never think of any right effort as being fruitless. All right effort bears fruit, whether we see the results or not.” ~Peace Pilgrim