If you cannot find peace within yourself you will never find it anywhere else. ~ Marvin Gaye

When you see a beautiful scene do you ever wish that everyone in the world could see it and maybe just maybe we might live in a peaceful world? I do. Everyone deserves peace and beauty. My heart breaks for those families raising children in war torn areas. Growing up with angst instead of beauty has to damage a soul. My heart breaks for our soldiers in areas of strife. They need peace so they can act with wisdom and courage. My heart breaks for families dealing with issues where peace seems a million miles away. We all deserve peace and we can help sprinkle peace to others by our thoughts and actions. I am grateful for people who work for peace whether it is on a global scale or in a family.

When I captured this image a couple of years ago for another project, I was focused for the pond and the swans and then the deer arrived. There was a brief standoff between the dark swan and one buck, but they worked out a deal so all could enjoy the body of water. I see peace here in a community of animals. I see sharing of resources.

As I researched quotes on peace, I was amazed at the bounty of choices. Some who were quoted did not live out their lives in peace- Christ, Gandhi, Marvin Gaye, Martin Luther King, John Lennon to name a few. I am grateful they carried peace in their hearts and left us with beautiful words. I am grateful as well to live during Nelson Mandela's lifetime and see the difference he made through peace.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

Peace.