Petter Ericksmoen The Concordian (Concordia College, Minnesota)
...[Zen Buddhist monk] Thich Nhat Hanh wrote, but more importantly believed, that no matter how dire the image of our world, peace was possible. He said that it starts with the individual, that the seeds of peace must first be watered and cared for by the constant gardener of our soul if they are ever to bloom across the world. This may sound to you like some psychedelic, hippy proclamation fruitlessly crying out for “peace, man,” but it is so much more than that.... I began this piece with a reflection on the beliefs that unite us, even as our different religions struggle for “a monopoly of the truth.” ...In Mother Theresa’s words: “People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create it anyway. Give the best you have and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.” More>>