New York Reminded Me That Peace Begins With People

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman - The Peace Guidebook - Barnes & Noble 5th Ave, New York City

There are moments in life that stay with you forever.

Walking into Barnes & Noble on Fifth Avenue in New York City as an author was one of those moments. From signing more than 250 books at Barnes & Noble Fifth Avenue to meeting readers across New York and New Jersey, this unforgettable tour reminded me that peace begins with people.

When Dr. Katie Eastman and I began writing The Peace Guidebook, we hoped it would encourage people to pause, breathe, choose peace, and discover practical ways to cultivate hope, healing, and harmony in their own lives. We never imagined that one day we would be standing in one of the world's most iconic bookstores, meeting readers from around the country and signing more than 250 books.

It was an experience filled with gratitude.

The Peace Guidebook - Barnes & Noble 5th Ave

Every conversation reminded us why we wrote this book. Some people shared stories of loss. Others talked about stress, family, work, or simply wanting more peace in their everyday lives. Many thanked us for creating something practical that they could begin using immediately. Those moments are the true reward of being an author.

One of the greatest gifts of the trip was spending time with my dear friend and co-author, Dr. Katie Eastman. We flew in from different parts of the country to celebrate this milestone together. After years of writing, recording podcasts, speaking, and building this work side by side, sharing these moments in person made the experience even more meaningful.

Our New York and New Jersey tour took us beyond Fifth Avenue.

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman at Books & Greetings in Northvale, NJ

We were warmly welcomed at Barnes & Noble in Morris Plains, Books & Greetings in Northvale, and The BookMark Shoppe in Brooklyn. Every bookstore had its own personality, and every bookseller reminded us why independent bookstores and local communities continue to matter so much. We left each stop feeling encouraged and inspired.

One of my favorite moments happened away from the signing tables. We had the opportunity to donate copies of The Peace Guidebook to local police and fire departments. It was our small way of thanking the men and women who dedicate their lives to serving others. We hope these books offer moments of encouragement, reflection, and peace to those who spend so much of their time caring for their communities.

As if the week couldn't have been more joyful, we were also invited to return to help celebrate the grand opening of the new Barnes & Noble in Livingston, New Jersey. Opportunities like these remind me that books have an incredible way of creating connections long after they are written.

Perhaps what has touched me most isn't what happened in the bookstores—it's what has happened afterward.

Through PercolatePeace.com, we're receiving messages from people across the United States and around the world. Families are sharing how they're choosing peace at home. Teachers are introducing peaceful practices into their classrooms. Leaders are bringing these ideas into workplaces. Individuals are finding hope during difficult seasons. Every message reminds me that peace is not an abstract idea. It is something we choose, practice, and share with one another every single day.

This trip reminded me that peace doesn't begin in grand gestures. It begins in conversations between strangers, when someone picks up a book hoping to find encouragement, when communities gather in bookstores, when we listen with compassion, and when we choose kindness. Time and again throughout this journey, I was reminded that the smallest moments often leave the greatest impact. Peace grows through simple human connection, one conversation, one smile, one act of generosity, and one choice at a time.

For me, New York wasn't simply about signing books. It was about witnessing the power of people coming together around a shared hope—that our world can become more peaceful, one person, one family, and one community at a time.

Thank you to everyone who came to the signings, welcomed us into your bookstores, volunteered your time, shared your stories, and continues to support this growing movement. Your encouragement means more than you know.

If there's one thing this trip reinforced for me, it's this:

Peace isn't something we wait for.

Peace is something we create—together.

With gratitude,

Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino

P.S. If you'd like to be part of the movement, we'd love to hear your story. Visit PercolatePeace.com to share your Peace Print, explore stories from around the world, and join us as we continue creating a more peaceful future—one pause, one choice, and one act of kindness at a time.