to reach this destination, to give ourselves the gift that brings true freedom.

     Before I reveal this special gift, think about what tops your wish list this year money, jewelry, the latest piece of technology? From where I sit you would think I’m wishing for my release from prison and all the comforts today’s society affords, right? Not so, I’m confident that my physical freedom will be achieved in due course.

This year I’m wishing for something that doesn’t have attached to it the threatening chains of arbitrary governmental invasion, imminent harassment, and further incarceration. The concept of freedom resides in the recesses of our mind, soul and spirits. It comes with that special gift I eluded to earlier, peace of mind. When we have peace of mind, we’re able to experience freedom in even the most abject environment.

     Many of us find the lack of integrity in the people of today disheartening. Their self-centered, socially engineered belief that the world revolves around them. Which is rooted in western society’s hell-bent earnestness to romanticize toe poisonous doctrine of individualism clashes with peace of mind? On the surface this ”me“ attitude reeks of self-importance. However beneath this veneer lies a deep inner sense of self-deprecation. I refer to this phenomenon the polar opposite of peace of mind, as dissonance of mind. Those who experience dissonance of mind spend their entire lives searching for something that will free themselves from themselves. They’re so uncomfortable in their own skin that more self-denigrating the better.

     The gem we refer to as peace of mind is universally attainable. However, the extreme difficulty of achieving and possessing it lies in taking what may seem like a quantum leap. The look inward, the honesty if takes to truthfully answer the question ”who am I?“ Unfortunately, the courage it takes to really make our lives better, to work toward peace of mind, is rare and won only at great costs. Those who lack self-respect and loyalty rarely attempt such a venture to them. It would be considered a worthless endeavor. It usually takes the fearlessness that comes from losing everything to engage in such a gut wrenching search of the self.

     If we are couraeous enough to take the appropriate steps to achieve peace of mind, we not only benefit personally, we also find that those around us are attracted to the attributes that flow from peace of mind. We become the friend a friend would like to have. We become that person that we ourselves have always looked up to.

     When people force themselves to parrot phrases they don’t believe in, engage in practices they don’t agree with. Or enter into contracts they find in conscionable. When people accept living on their knees it’s impossible to have peace of mind. Pureness of heart, genuineness in character and sincereness in action underlines peace of mind. Justification never enters the equation. Justification exemplifies dissonance of mind. ”But I need the money….“ ”But I can’t afford to lose that…“ and worst of all ”it’ll be easier this way.“ Justification counterpoises peace of min, it’s a polarizing element that sows the seeds of self-discontent.

     Peace of mind the Rosetta’s stone of the self-engenders harmony and understanding. As the Roman philosopher, Sallust so eloquently put it, ”harmony makes small things grow. Lack of it makes great things decay.“ Peace of mind is knowing that when leaders are true and followers loyal. nothing is ever in vain, it’s knowing that all it takes for evil to triumph in this decadent age is for good people to do nothing.

     During this New Year, as we venture forward on the road paved by the continuing evolution of our priorities, we realize that quick fixes, in what ever form they may take, pale in comparison to the freedom that comes from peace of mind. With our vaunted destination in focus, we are cautioned to remember that it takes a great deal of time to bring excellence to maturity. When we take these positive, difficult steps we’re actually attempting to jump through the eye of a needle that leads to humankind’s most sought after possession…. But if we’re steadfast in our commitment, we’ll pass through unobstructed.

     In closing, I want to extend my warmest wishes of holiday tidings to you and those near and dear to you. I appreciate all the kind gestures of support; none of it ever goes unnoticed. To Natalie, thank you for showing me that angels appear in many different forms, I love you to death.

November, 2006