Peace

Peace comes from within
-Buddha

  Peace has always held a pretty high place of importance for me .
  Maybe it started as a kid in church.  No longer particularly religious, I was raised in a strict Catholic household, so weekly Sunday Mass was a must (along with catechism).  As a squirmy kid with energy, one of the highlights of mass was when you got to shake hands and offer a greeting of "Peace" or "Peace be with you" to anyone nearby.  It was one of the few informal, genuine and non-scripted moments (stand up, sit down, kneel, mumble prayer, repeat) so other than some of the songs and, of course, the end of mass, Peace was the best part. (some feel that communion is the best, but I was never that crazy about the whole "body and blood of Christ" thing)
  As a young adult, letting my freak flag fly, I was more of a general "Peace, dude" kind of guy.  Especially having come of age in Reagan's Cold War 80's (You can't hug Children with Nuclear Arms-bumper sticker sported on my very own VW bus) and being a draft eligible man as the Gulf War broke out made me more of a "Peace, Not War" kind of guy.  Still am.
  Now being certifiably middle aged (OK, slightly past middle age) the peace I want most, the peace I search for, the peace I need, is inner peace.  With time, reflection, work and meditation I am starting to find it.  Mostly, I have found it within me.  Turns out Buddha was right (about many things).  Smart guy, that Buddha.

Peace to the Planet, and Peace be with You...