Celebrate Peace

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 people stopped fighting and ended World War I. In the United States we celebrate that moment as Veteran's Day. Banks, government offices, schools and businesses close in honor of those who served in the U.S. armed forces. It is a day of remembering and celebrating those who are or once were in the military.

But overall, Veteran's Day is a day of peace because of that moment in 1918.

This holiday gives each of us the opportunity think about peace. In the past, there were leaders who taught that war, conflict and the fight for life itself brought out the the best virtues that humanity has to offer. They said heroism, self-sacrifice and even love were best expressed in how well people fought or died.

We now understand how much more those virtues are expressed by keeping the peace. And even though there have been wars, conflicts and police actions since then, we still celebrate that moment in 1918. We still celebrate how in the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month, men put down their guns, climbed out of their trenches and embraced peace.

We have the opportunity to let go of war and embrace peace in our own lives.

Today, we can set aside our anger at the friend, the relative or the rude stranger. Today, we can let go of the fear we have of losing the job, the relationship or the golden opportunity. Today, we can stand and climb out of our trenches of worry about the past, the present or the future.

In the 11th hour of the 11th day in the 11th month of our own life, we can choose to put down our own personal weapons of war and celebrate peace.

I hope you will.

Happy Veteran's Day.

Peace.