I am surrounded by peace in this new place I am visiting.
I notice the absence of fear and tension.
The exchanges between customers and clients and workers sparkle.
Obviously, people come here regularly and are known to each other.
I do not sense competition or comparison.
There is camaraderie between well-known repeat customers and friends.
We are included by the second day.
Simple pleasures in simple daily interactions.
On the streets, we are noticeable tourists in our orange hunting season visibility hats.
Gradually, we figure out bus and subway routes.
We walk in a leisurely manner down the streets as we notice where to buy fresh fruits and where to do our laundry.
Everything is old world, small, and human-scaled.
Work flows at a busy, but inclusive, pace.
We are given no-nonsense directions, often volunteered.
There is no anger, no frustration as we observe interactions around us.
I see a kind of peace of living in a place where people are secure, all over the working class neighborhood where we are based.
This kind of peace is palpable.
My conclusion is that this kind of peace is doable, and works through an attitude of compassion, inclusion and equality.
© 2019 Kathryn Hardage
www.pebblesofpeace.blogspot.com
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