“To Our Children’s Children’s Children” is the title of an album by the Moody Blues that was released way back in 1969. At the time, the title was as meaningless to me as the idea inconceivable (no pun intended). But, while shopping for slacks for my seven-year-old grandson this weekend, the idea that I may very well be around to welcome a great-grandchild or two hit me hard. Very hard.

To summarize the current state of affairs in today’s world can be done in one simple, albeit insufficient, word: Chaotic. “Peace” is difficult, and maybe impossible, to find anywhere. Political science is not my forte, and I would never try to figure out, or even attempt to discuss, why things in this world are the way they are. And sadly, this doesn’t just apply to countries or political parties, either. Relationships between people, oftentimes living under the same roof, can be characterized as chaotic, as well. I do know one thing, though, and that is–in the words of the lyricists Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller–that peace begins with me. I should not allow circumstances outside of my control to dictate my own peace.

After giving a lot of consideration as to what I personally could do to promote peace in the world, I have resolved to be more mindful, knowing that somehow it will make a positive difference. It can be as simple as making eye contact with and acknowledging those I pass in the halls at school, opening the door for another person, yielding to the driver beside me who appears to be in a hurry, calling a friend who is a frazzled caregiver, a young mom or dad, or who, perhaps, is feeling under the weather, or even simply giving my full attention to someone who is talking to me instead of thinking of what I am going to say—these are just a few of many opportunities presented every day that would allow me to bring peace to my world, and possibly to the world of another person. It’s like the ripple effect of a pebble being tossed into the water…its extent is far-reaching.

Each and every one of us is worthy of receiving unlimited blessings every single day. We must believe that. Else, what is the purpose of living? Peace begins with each and every one of us. It simply takes being aware of our world around us. We’ve all heard the cliché, “it’s the little things in life,” and it’s true. It is the little things. With any luck, someday we will realize that they were the big things. What a difference that would make to our children’s children’s children!