It all began with gratitude.
…And maybe some sneakers and paint.
He goes by the name Peace Artist, and he spent the past year running 6,000 miles from Seattle to San Diego to Savannah, Georgia. He ran until given shelter, fasted until given food. He carried no money, only art supplies, to create and gift original works of art along the way. He never asked for anything, yet he received so much in return.

After completing his cross-country pilgrimage, he reflects:
“I say this wholeheartedly: everything that is done from compassion will be met with success. The nature of the universe is love.”
The Seed of an Idea
It actually began in college. One day, Peace Artist was sitting in a café when a good runner friend of his remarked, “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to just run around the country?”
And the idea was born.
From there, they got a map (this was pre-Internet days, so an actual map), and traced out the route they thought they’d take. Then, they put it aside. The map sat on the shelf for 20 years.
A deeply personal experience pushed Peace Artist to begin searching for something greater, something more out of life.
“I think that all of us, in our daily lives, we experience normalness of ups and downs. But at one point, you kind of ask yourself: “What is life all about? Why are we here? Where are we going? What is the purpose of life?”
For me, I got to a place where you encounter something of such a magnitude, that your realize, Oh there has to be something greater than this.”
The map came out again.
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“You know, you could run around the country with that,” she replied.
Caught off guard, Peace learned that this woman jogging alongside him had actually run across the country for peace! She and her team took turns running 10-mile legs from Washington D.C. to San Francisco, all in the name of peace. Then she told him about Peace Pilgrim.

“We will either learn to live together in peace or die in mutually assured destruction,” he remarked.
With fierce resolve and gentle warmth of heart, Peace Artist decided to use his life to put these teachings, and those of the greatest teachers and avatars, to the test.
“There is an idea that you don’t need more that you really actually need. And one of the things I tested is: Don’t worry about today or tomorrow. Don’t worry about what you’re going to wear or what you’re going to eat.”
Facing the Tests
When asked if he’s ever been tested on his ideals, about challenges along his pilgrimage that caused to him reevaluate what he stood for—he humbly responds, “Ohhh yeah! Well, where do I begin? Day 1.”
When Peace first left Seattle, he was surrounded by the warm support of family and friends. They had packed him PB&J’s and warm hash browns.
Then, as soon as he waved goodbye and turned the corner, he saw a couple of homeless people in front of him.
“I had more than I needed; I had two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, an apple, and two hash browns. Who am I to worry about today or tomorrow? Here are these two people who have nothing... So I gave them the hash browns.”
Day turned to night, and Peace needed shelter. He found it among the expanse of the Olympic Forest, but then found himself wondering: Will I be attacked by bears? Are there bad people out here waiting to hurt me?
To rest his fears, he began to do a mindful breathing exercise, breathing in pain, and breathing out love. He filled his heart with care, as he thought of the people closest to him, and extended it outwards. He felt more at peace.

“That very first night was the only night I worried. I never worried after that.”
Except for the night when he was woken by baby piglets while sleeping in a ditch in the middle of California. He scared them all away, and then thought: Where’s their mother?
At other times, Peace has run 25 miles a day with hemorrhoids in the heat of Dallas, Texas, gotten shin splints and poison oak, been told he would go to hell, and been shown the finger by a disgruntled driver. And in each moment of negativity, he responded with faith in human goodness—with an inner compassion that emulated from the inside-out.
On that memorable first day of his pilgrimage, a man flipped him off. Without a second thought, he waved more empathetically and called out, “I love you!”
“That was my first reaction,” he notes, “It was kind of cool.”
Have You Ever Doubted Gravity?
Though there were moments when he’s questioned whether the pilgrimage was the right thing to do, Peace Artist has never questioned the possibility of peace. When Kanchan asks him where his deep conviction comes from, he replies, simply: “Have you ever doubted gravity?” and then explains:

I can only speak from my own experience, but my experience guarantees that the experience will come back. If the intention is for love.
It’s one thing to talk about peace, but it’s another thing to live it. To really put it to the test. Peace Artist spent the past year of his life seeing the humanity in all whom he encountered. Whether it was a disheveled homeless man or a mayor who built his own home from recycled lumber, he gave them his heart. And he continues living in that spirit today.
More than the gift of a painted portrait or a piece of artwork, what he really shares is a piece of himself.

He spends hours listening to people’s stories, without judgment, and with a striking presence and care. Then he shares these snapshots of their lives on his website, so that we can all glean insights on the human spirit, and perhaps become inspired to approach others in that same spirit.
He says that everywhere he goes, he finds kindness. He finds love.
From the way he talks about others, I can’t help but feel that he simply receives what he so generously gives. Listening to him is like experiencing the pulse of humanity through his eyes—his incredible heart reflected in all around him.

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Wonderful! and very inspiring!
beautiful story, very inspiring. thank you
Pree, Kristin, Bruce, Mary Lou, Chitra, Prairie, Purvi, Suketu, and Phran...wow, thank you for your kind words. As many of you said, it isn't hard. Gandhi challenged us, "Be then change". Truly, we all possess the ability to be the love in the world, to be the peace. Thank you for reminding me that there are so many beautiful and wonderful like-minded and like-hearted people around the globe doing what they and only they can do to create peace daily.
In addition, thank you Audrey, Kachan, and DailyGood for such a nicely written and researched article. I feel as if I have really gained some new family here. Much love.
great work..you have chosen by god to give peace through art...blessings
Years ago Peace Pilgrim was in our home on repeated trips through the country. Congratulations in bringing peace and sharing your gift along your path.
oh what a wonderful concept.its true love begets love.i have just begun practicing it consciously,
and its a miracle remedy.
3 cheers to the peace artist,to more of art,exploring,and sharing everything that is wonderful in this world.
Truly Amazing Story. Lot to learn from Peace Artist.
The only way to have peace is to live peace. And you can spread it out from your own home, among your own family and friends, in the stores you shop in and the places you normally go. Feel it in your heart then let it freely flow. I assure you it will come back in full measure, packed down and running over.
wow! thank you for sharing. i needed to hear this this morning! :-)
<3
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing your journey. No doubt you have positively impact multitudes by your presence and your practice of peace. And so glad to know that you learned of Peace Pilgrim too, she continues to Inspire. And 100% agreed, we receive what we give. HUGE HUG to you. May you continue to share your gifts. <3
We are so happy to see you featuring Peace Artist here. His impressive journey and life reecho the spirit of Peace Pilgrim's twenty-eight year pilgrimage for peace. Bruce Nichols/Friends of Peace Pilgrim
Thank you for sharing your beautiful gift with so many people, Peace artist!
Mary Lou