🙏 Goodbye, South Carolina. Hello, North Carolina.

 

We have just crossed the state border from South Carolina to North Carolina—continuing our journey for peace into a new landscape!

 

South Carolina, thank you for the incredible warmth and the open hearts we encountered at every stop. We are so moved by the thousands of people who came out to greet us with such kindness.

 

North Carolina, we are honored to walk your roads. May we share peace, compassion, unity, and healing together as we move closer to our destination.

 

We also wish to offer our deepest gratitude to all the hands that have supported us on this entire path.

 

The journey continues—with gratitude for where we’ve been, and respect for where we go.
May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace. 🙏✨

 

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✍️ Finding Peace in What We Cannot Control – Everything in life unfolds in ways we cannot predict. We wake each morning not knowing what the day will bring, what emotions will surface, or what circumstances will shift without warning.

 

Even our own happiness can feel elusive—arriving and vanishing like weather we cannot command. Our emotions rise and fall like tides, often defying our wish to feel differently than we do. If guiding our own hearts feels this difficult, how much more futile is it to try to control others? To demand they think or feel exactly as we wish?

 

The truth is both humbling and freeing: everything happens in its own way, following rhythms we did not write.
But here is what we can do: We can be at peace when things happen. We can meet whatever arises—joy or sorrow, gain or loss—with a steady mind and an open heart.
• If something can be changed: We do not need to worry—we simply take action with clear intention.
• If something cannot be changed: We also do not need to worry—we accept what is and save our energy for what we can actually influence.
This doesn’t mean we stop caring. It means we stop adding unnecessary suffering to our lives. We stop exhausting ourselves trying to control the uncontrollable and focus on the one thing we can genuinely influence: our own response.

 

We do this through mindfulness. By returning to our breath, we anchor ourselves in the present. We notice when we are reacting unconsciously and choose to respond with understanding instead.
This is how we bring peace back to our inner landscape. We cannot control the storms that come, but we can learn to remain peaceful within them. We cannot dictate how others behave, but we can always choose how we respond.

 

May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace. 🙏

 

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🙏 Thank You to the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office – We want to express our deepest gratitude to the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office for welcoming us on Monday.

 

Even though our route didn’t pass directly through their county, they coordinated a meeting in Fairfield County, SC to show their support. We were honored to receive their specially designed badge lapel pin, which carries the beautiful message: “Blessed Are the Peacemakers.”

 

We also want to take this moment to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the law enforcement departments that have supported us since we began our journey in Texas. From ensuring our safety on the roads to offering warm smiles and words of encouragement, your kindness helps make this walk for peace possible.

 

Thank you all the officers along our path, for your shared commitment to peace. It is an honor to walk with your support!
Photo credit: Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office

 

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🛡️ Grateful for the Journey through Chester County, SC – We would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Chester County Sheriff’s Office for providing safety and security as we passed through their beautiful county this week.

 

Their dedicated team ensured that the venerable monks could walk safely, allowing us to focus on our mission of spreading peace.

 

We also want to offer our heartfelt thanks to all the law enforcement departments that have supported us since we began in Texas, as well as those who will help us in the days ahead. From ensuring our safety on the roads to offering warm smiles and encouragement, your kindness is a vital part of this journey. Thank you for keeping us safe!

 

📸 Photo credit: Chester County Sheriff’s Office
May you and all beings be well, happy and at peace. 🙏✨

 

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#TykheoTueNhan #BaoThapTangKinhThanhDien #Buocchanhanhgia
#WalkForPeace #W4P #Walk4Peace #Dhammacetiya