It's that time of year again where we feel compelled to make the Resolutions for Change that we could choose to make at any point in the year because we see the New Year as a fresh start. As a culture, we do it every year, most often with the same results: A few weeks later, we're generally back to the same pattern, often lamenting our "weakness" and "failure". Why is it so hard to effectively create change? One reason simple reason is that due to biology, chemistry and con

And so this is Christmas! It has me, again, pondering the nature of gifts and of giving, and I am reminded of Rumi's famous quote: "When we practice loving kindness and compassion we are the first ones to profit." Even the most minute act of kindness has the power to not only transform another's life, it can also bring new meaning to our own. As the world devolves into one composed of selfies, self-absorption and the image of the "ideal" life, it can be an increasing challeng