A few weeks ago, Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, came to our small town in Middle Tennessee. He was sponsored by the McMinnville Breakfast and Noon Rotary Clubs as part of their Peace Forum. We gathered in the community library to hear Dr. Gandhi speak on "Lessons Learned from My Grandfather."

As with any presenter, the message is as much in one's presence as it is in one's words. Dr. Gandhi's gentleness was tangible. It filled the room with a quiet calm. He spoke of his childhood in South Africa in which he was the victim of bullying and abuse by both whites and blacks, as he was of neither race. He was ready to fight back and his parents wisely sent him to live with his grandfather. Could one have a better teacher for life's lessons?

As a 12 year old boy, Dr. Arun Gandhi came to India with a heart full of hurt and anger. His grandfather's lessons allowed him to look at anger in the eye and find alternative ways to deal with it. He was taught to recognize the impact one's thoughts and actions have on others, for better or worse. He learned through daily experiences the value of all of our earth's resources, from the smallest pencil to food and water.

Dr. Gandhi's sense of humor lightened his stories. Here was a man who lived his grandfather's pursuit of personal transformation. This, he shared with us, is the way to peace.

It is my hope in the coming year that each of us is able to become that better person. How can we be present for one another, be it our client, student, co-worker, parent, child, sibling, partner, friend, or anyone whose life touches ours? How might we quiet our own desire to be right or get our way at the expense of others? How might we use our resources wisely, without greed or fear? What if we are able to practice mindfulness in our everyday life?

If we are able to do a little more of this each day, perhaps this is the real continuing education.

Peace to you all,