The Jade Buddha for Universal Peace

"The Peace be with you."
This blessing is given to each person who participates in communion during our Sunday, or weekday, Service.
On a world tour right now is the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, which I was able to take in recently. This incredibly beautiful statue was designed for one purpose - to bring people together and to think or meditate on, what peace means for each one of us, and for the world. It is truly an international icon, for the jade came from B.C., it was carved in Thailand, and will eventually make its home in Bendigo, Australia.
One first has to ask, why jade? In Asian culture, Jade has all the qualities we in the West normally ascribe to gold: wisdom, justice, compassion, courage. The ability to stimulate creativity and mental agility, to bring joy and happiness. To embody all that is good, beautiful and precious. In ancient Egypt, jade meant love, the harmonizing of energy and beauty, inner peace and balance.
Now for the hard part: how can one achieve inner peace?
My emotions have been in turmoil for more than 2 years, but I have finally reached a point where I needed to make peace with my Self. I had 3 very good reasons for doing this (see my profile picture), and that meant I had no time to lose. Through counselling, I am learning how to face my demons. Each time I go, it's a little like ripping off a bandaid, but I leave each time feeling a little bit lighter. My counsellor has warned me that I still have a lot to face, but for the sake of my children, I am willing to go through whatever is necessary. She is not only a counsellor, but a life coach and empowerment speaker. Suzanne always makes sure to give me something good to work on until we meet again. My friends are starting to notice a new me.
This is the good part: Jesus said, I stand at peace with the world. This peace can be with you also because I give it to you. I know somehow He will give me the strength to get through this. He knows exactly what I am going through, because he too, had to face the demons of this world, and came with the specific mission of sacrificing his Self for each of us. Not just giving up his Self for us, but to us. He didn't just appear and then disappear, leaving us to struggle on our own. He left a part of his Self in each of us. The trick is to find a way to connect with that little seed, and tap into its healing, renewing power.
I think that there will only be universal peace when each of us has learned how to be at peace with ourselves. No matter what demons you face, there is someone who can help, whether it is a priest, counsellor, friend, teacher. The first step is the hardest: tell someone you know you can trust and who will listen.
Happiness can be a very fleeting thing. It is not how many friends you have, or how much wealth or stuff you have. Peace of mind is a completely different thing. Which do you want? What are you willing to let go of, or undergo to get it? Someone loved you so much that He was willing to sacrifice everything for you. Maybe there is someone in your life for whom you are willing to do the same.
This is my wish for each of my friends and relatives: The Peace be with you.

Sparky

P.S. Song for the Day: I'm a Believer, by The Monkees