There is a saying that to understand another person you need to walk a mile in their shoes.
The Walk of Life
We spend our days, walking on the beach, lazing about, reading, watching and listening to the ocean, snorkeling, and relaxing. Our one and only goal is to completely relax and enjoy our time together. One morning we take a new direction on our walk. We strolled past ancient fishing ponds and through an area filled with washed up pieces of …
Moments of Happiness
We entered a crowded square after sunset. Even though it was dark, it was still very warm and I felt sticky from the heat and humidity. It had been a long day, and I was thirsty, tired, and slightly cranky. I told myself if I only had a cold bottle of water, I’d be happy. In front of us was …
Travel Discoveries
We arrived home last Tuesday night carrying our suitcases, backpacks, and memories of our adventures in Delhi, Kathmandu, and the bucolic country of Bhutan. As we petted up the dogs and cats, unloaded our bags, and showered for the first time in days, the dissonance between life in other countries and our home was at times bewildering and welcome. Navigating …
What Makes You Laugh?
What makes you laugh? Is it a joke about a man who walks into a bar, a knock-knock joke, an unexpected occurrence or a prat-fall? Psychologists tells us that laughter serves as a type of super glue in that it helps keep us connected. Laughter is universal, but humor is culturally specific. Laughter is a natural behavior of humans and some …
What Is Your Quotient for Compassion?
I watched a documentary a few nights ago about Roger Stone, a political activist and consultant. I wasn’t very familiar with Stone, and I discovered he has been involved in the US political process since the Reagan presidency. Stone and his partners have also made millions of dollars representing dictators across the globe who have murdered their opposition while amassing vast …
Who Do You Want To Be?
“How do I stay true to myself?” “How do I remain authentic?” These questions and others like them are questions I hear regularly. And each time I’m asked these types of questions, I respond: “Who do you want to be?” and “How do you want to behave?” I’m not trying to be a smart-alec. I recognize that questions about authenticity …