I went to see the Buddhist monks on Sunday as they walked steadily along Route 1 in Virginia. One single line with a remarkable cadence. They were calm, deliberate, purposeful and fast! Honestly? Faster than my jog.

This peaceful pilgrimage began on October 26, 2025, and spans more than 2,300 miles from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, DC. Along the way, the monks are sharing a message of peace, compassion, and unity, earning deep respect along the way. They average more than 20 miles a day, walking through every kind of weather imaginable.

Saturday in the DC metro area, winds hit 16 miles per hour, making the wind chill downright brutal. Sunday, temperatures hovered in the single digits. And yet, as we stood outside for nearly two hours, the cold wasn’t my main focus; I noticed the people. There were all ages and ethnicities, united by a shared longing for peace.

What struck me most, though, was the monks’ dedication. Their commitment. They certainly aren’t walking for attention, yet thousands of people across communities have come out along the way to show respect.

It got me thinking about passion, commitment, and dedication. Passion is the spark, the excitement. It’s what lights us up when conditions are right.

Commitment is something else entirely. Commitment is what shows up after the spark fades. It keeps moving when the weather turns. It continues when things are inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unseen.

Commitment isn’t always a decision we make each day. Sometimes it’s deeper than that and becomes a way of life.

In our work, our relationships, and our leadership, we often ask: What am I excited about right now?

A more revealing question might be: What am I willing to keep showing up for when it’s hard?

Commitment is what carries you across the long road.

So I’ll leave you with the question that’s been lingering with me: What am I committed to?

And… what are you committed to?