In many ways, “peace” has almost become a cliche.

Think about it. "Peace" is the usually first word out of any beauty pageant contestant’s mouth. Hallmark Cards has made an entire industry off holiday cards proclaiming "peace” printed over beautiful white doves. Old hippies flash the peace sign and in a smokey haze mutter "peace dude."

Church choirs sing on Christmas Eve of "heavenly peace" and religious leaders are constantly looking for a new angle to give freshness to the greater concept of peace. New Age spiritual leaders give lectures on inner peace. Many columnists have written about the peace of an empty home, absent the usual noise of their children. There are entire television channels consisting of nothing but a burning log or the ocean waves repeating themselves endlessly to create a so-called peaceful ambience.

The holiday season is the time everyone embraces peace. One can be for peace and wish for an early return from Iraq for our soldiers and not get beaten up by some construction worker with a flag on their hat. I always love saying it every chance I get, but I still look over my shoulder to see if someone is going to let me have it. They think a proclamation of peace might be some left over Communist ideology from the old days. Stomp it out before it spreads too far and wide.

Today, I found myself thinking about peace. My buddy Steve Guy is in Hawaii with his family and I have the house to myself. The landscape is covered with snow and the deer are posing perfectly. There is a strange calm in these hills and not a single tree is blowing in the wind. The road coming down from Wayne Kellers is very slippery today, so it is a good day to stay inside. In fact, I have to admit that I am still in my pajamas, being somewhat lazy today. Guess that is peace too.

Peace is not a cliche for me. It is a way of life. My mother always said you have to live your life the way you want to see the world. Otherwise, how would you be able to describe it to others if you have never experienced it or seen it? So, I have attempted to the best of my ability to live a life of peace. In all aspects of my life from the way I treat my friends to my politics to caring for my neighbors. It is not always easy, but I do my best.

So this year, for the holidays, I will join the worldwide chorus and hope that our soldiers are all home to see the flowers in the Spring. That the bloodbath in the Congo is ended and that children will play there instead of carrying US-built weapons. My vision includes an end to HIV/AIDS and other epidemics that have plagued our planet. Wouldn't it be more peaceful if we just accepted responsibility for our own spirituality and not demand everyone else believe it too?

The music that is playing everywhere will give me joy and make me sing along (badly). The cards from Hallmark will make me smile and I will put them out for others to see. My peace ornament is already on the tree. I will listen carefully at midnight mass to hear what angle the pastor has come up with this year. The construction worker, the hippie and I all will exchange a “peace bro.” I will do my best to tune the candidates out over the holidays and let the voters of Iowa and New Hampshire watch Joe Biden carve their turkey for them!

So in that spirit, I wish you all peace on earth this year both personally and globally. Much love to you all.