World Peace and You

Perfect together!

You want deeply-felt societal peace? Read on.

When the Dalai Lama spoke at Catholic University in the late 80s, he said that world peace begins with how we treat our neighbors and the people around us. That message is heartening and dispiriting at the same time.

It is hopeful that anyone can have a role in advancing world peace. It makes us all international diplomats while picking up our dry cleaning. We become a walking peace-keeper by giving a royal waive to the local homeless guy. Yesterday, I ran into someone I knew asking for money on the corner, cheerfully asking for donations to his Venmo account on a hand-printed sign leaning against the wall of a chic Georgetown retailer. We chatted, and I sent him five dollars.

It is something we all can do, and our small ability to sway international events lifts our spirits and our hopes. Research shows that satisfaction and happiness is greater when people have control over their lives. The Dalai Lama is right. Participate in a solu…