FINDING PEACE
IN THE HUSTLE
BY SISTER VEDANTI, REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE BRAHMA KUMARIS IN AFRICA
The journey towards world peace begins within.
In an uncertain world, peace has become as precious as a diamond.
How do we experience it when life itself feels unsettled? Perhaps by finding peace in the hustle, rather than waiting for life to become peaceful.
The departure lounge was quiet. Outside, rain tapped against the windows while aircraft waited on the runway. Inside, travellers checked screens and made anxious calls. A mother comforted her toddler while a student rushed to finish an assignment.
Near the window sat an elderly woman. She was not checking her phone or watching the departure board. She simply watched the rain, her face calm.
A little girl approached her.“ Weren’ t you supposed to be on that plane too?”
“ Yes,” the woman smiled.
“ Aren’ t you worried?”
“ I’ ve learned that worrying has never made a plane leave any sooner.”
The girl laughed. Her mother smiled and said:“ I wish I could be that peaceful. Life feels so busy.”
“ It is busy,” the woman replied.“ But peace doesn’ t arrive when life becomes quiet. Peace is something we carry with us.”
Life will always bring another challenge. Peace begins with what happens within us. Each day we choose between patience and frustration, forgiveness and resentment, hope and worry. It grows through small acts of kindness, understanding, and listening.
A deeper choice is to reconnect with our spiritual self and with the Supreme Source of Light. Through silence, meditation, and remembrance of Divine Source, we can release fear, anger, and resentment, returning to our original qualities of peace, love, purity, and compassion.
As boarding began, nothing outside had changed. The rain was still falling. The flight remained delayed. Yet something had shifted within.
Peace does not remain with us alone. Like one candle lighting another, it reaches our homes, relationships, workplaces, and communities.
World Peace Day reminds us that peace begins long before it reaches nations. One peaceful thought can change a moment, and one peaceful heart can influence another.
Peace begins with me. Peace begins with you. Peace begins within.
How often do we postpone peace until work settles down, the children are older, we have more money, or people treat us better?
THE BRAHMA KUMARIS SOUTH AFRICA: DURBAN: 143 Belmont Road | 083 430 8926 | 031 563 3502 | durban @ za. brahmakumaris. org MUSGRAVE: 4 Southwold Mansions, 286 Musgrave Road | 084 663 3502 | musgrave @ za. brahmakumaris. org PHOENIX: 132 Chartford Road | 084 062 0066 | phoenix @ za. brahmakumaris. org VERULAM: 11 Palm Street, Grangetown | 082 451 1837 | 084 583 4361 | verulam @ za. brahmakumaris. org JOHANNESBURG: 28 Judith Street, Observatory | 066 495 1367 | johannesburg @ za. brahmakumaris. org LENASIA: 124 Rose Avenue, Ext 1 | 072 437 8339 | lenasia @ za. brahmakumaris. org SOWETO: Ekukhanyeni, 1042 Phase 3, Diepkloof | 083 742 8701 | 067 733 4786 | soweto @ za. brahmakumaris. org CENTURION: Thatchfield Crescent, 33b Moonflower Crescent | 082 446 0128 | centurion @ za. brahmakumaris. org NELSPRUIT: 16 Paperbark Street, Thorny Creek Complex | 072 118 3690 | nelspruit @ za. brahmakumaris. org CAPE TOWN: 7 Dunluce Avenue, Claremont | 077 374 1967 | capetown @ za. brahmakumaris. org PORT ELIZABETH: 8 Dan Pienaar Street, Glendinningvale | 072 117 1468 | portelizabeth @ za. brahmakumaris. org