Peace and Change: How to Anchor Yourself When the World Feels Unsteady

By Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino & Dr. Katie Eastman

Founders of the Percolate Peace Project & Authors of The Peace Guidebook

In a world that never seems to slow down, peace can feel like a far-off luxury—something you stumble into once everything is “figured out.” But if there’s anything our work with thousands of people has taught us, it’s this: peace is not a destination. Peace is a decision. A practice. A daily choice.

And the truth is, peace and change go hand in hand.

You may not always be able to control what happens in your life or in the world around you—but you can decide how you respond. That’s where your power is. That’s where peace begins.

Peace Isn’t Passive—It’s Transformational

Many people think of peace as stillness, a kind of gentle quiet reserved for mountaintops or meditation pillows. But real peace is dynamic. It doesn’t mean avoiding difficult conversations or waiting for conflict to disappear. It means showing up with courage and compassion—even when things feel chaotic.

Peace is what allows you to face change rather than run from it. It steadies your nervous system in the face of uncertainty. It clears the fog so you can act from clarity rather than fear.

And most of all, it transforms you—from reactive to responsive, from overwhelmed to grounded.

Why Peace Matters in Times of Change

Change is one of life’s only guarantees. Whether it’s a job loss, a relationship shift, a health scare, or something happening globally, change comes with emotional turbulence. It’s easy to spiral into stress, comparison, or helplessness. But when you intentionally anchor yourself in peace, you build resilience that can’t be shaken by external events.

Here’s why this matters more than ever: We’re living in an era of rapid transformation. Political tension, environmental shifts, social unrest, and personal reinvention are touching every corner of our world. Now isn’t the time to numb out. It’s time to tune in. It’s time to choose peace—not just as a feeling, but as a way of being.

How Do You Begin to Percolate Peace?

At the Percolate Peace Project, we believe that peace starts within and radiates outward. The idea is simple, but the ripple effect is powerful.

To "percolate" means to filter slowly through a porous surface. And that’s exactly how peace spreads—bit by bit, moment by moment, person by person.

Here are three simple ways to begin:

1. Pause Instead of Reacting

Before responding to a challenging situation, pause. Breathe. Ask yourself: What would peace do right now? That moment of stillness allows you to respond with grace instead of reactivity.

2. Speak with Compassion—Even When It’s Hard

You don’t have to agree with someone to treat them with kindness. Use peaceful language. Choose words that invite connection rather than create division. Your words can either build bridges or burn them—peace chooses the former.

3. Let Go of Being Right to Do What’s Right

Peace doesn’t come from winning every argument. It comes from releasing the need to control and focusing instead on what nurtures harmony. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can say is: Let’s find a better way together.

Peace in Action Is a Global Movement

When we launched The Peace Guidebook and the Percolate Peace Project, we weren’t just creating another self-help tool. We were starting a movement—a call for 1,000,000 people to choose peace, practice it, and pass it on.

And here’s the beautiful part: you don’t need to be a public figure, a therapist, or a monk to make a difference. You just have to start where you are.

• Share a kind word.

• Forgive someone who didn’t apologize.

• Choose empathy over ego.

• Be curious instead of critical.

• Look for what’s right in someone—not just what’s wrong.

These are everyday acts of peace. And they matter more than you think.

The Ripple Effect of Choosing Peace

When you choose peace in your own life, you create a ripple that touches everyone around you. Your children watch. Your friends feel it. Your co-workers mirror it. And slowly but surely, the world shifts.

So don’t underestimate your role in this movement.

We need peaceful people in powerful action.

We need you.

Final Thoughts: You Are the Beginning of Peace

There will always be change. There will always be conflict. But there can also always be peace—if we choose it.

You are not too small to make an impact. You are not too late to begin.

So today, we invite you to take a deep breath and remember: peace isn’t a personality trait. It’s a practice. And it’s one the world is begging you to begin.

Start now. Start small. Start with you.

Then, let it percolate.

Ready to join the movement?

Visit PercolatePeace.com to explore The Peace Guidebook, submit your personal peace story, or join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #PercolatePeace. Together, we are creating a world where peace is not only possible—it is probable.