These are the glorious autumn days of October, my birthday month. I grew up in Canada where the sugar maples put on a striking display of color as the leaves turn from green to exquisite shades of red, orange, and yellow, before floating to the ground as they surrender to the inevitability of numbing winter frosts. Ever wonder why? It's a collaborative expression of survival.
Read moreAwe
According to new research, scientists find that each burst of awe we feel creates a burst of health and well being. It seems that experiences of awe lower stress, improve mental function, and expand life expectancy. How about that — healthy advantages to something that feels good! So what exactly do we mean by awe, and since it delivers so many benefits, should we look for more of it?
Read moreHugs
Sometimes words aren't what we want, and only a hug will do. Here's an embrace filled with understanding, presence, and peace.
Read moreTo Life
Charles Shultz drew this cartoon, and in it, Charlie Brown says to Snoopy, "Some day, we will all die, Snoopy!" And Snoopy replies, "True, but on all the other days we will not.” Sounds so logical. We know that everything that lives also dies. It's easy to embrace life and living, but not so easy to embrace death and dying. So how do we navigate this truth about our mortality?
Read moreTikkun Olam
It’s the Jewish New Year, the celebration of 5777, and the wish you will hear exchanged, is “L'Shanah Tovah," which means, “A Good and Sweet Year.” This is not an easy wish to have come true. We’re living in exceptionally challenging times — times of senseless animosity, and times of brutal expressions of hatred. Sometimes we get so discouraged, so disillusioned, it’s tempting to not listen to the news, to not vote, and to not care. That’s when Tikkun Olam becomes important.
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