So I turned 37 this week, and I’ll admit that I am quite lucky. I’ve been told by some of my childhood friends that my face hasn’t changed at all since Kindergarten. It’s almost embarrassing really. When I meet people for the first time, they often interrupt me and ask without apology, “How old are you?” Thinking about my birthday this week and the passage of time, it stirred up a lot questions. What have I learned and how have I grown during the past twelve months? Am I wiser, more content? Did I cross anything off my bucket list?

Read more...

This past weekend I attended a workshop on “mindful leadership” conducted by author Bill George and Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, a rising star among Tibetan Buddist Masters. The audience, including this one, was fascinated by the interplay between Eastern and Western philosophies. 

Read more...

Every morning before heading off to work, my father went to 6am mass in Orange, NJ. He was the sole provider for our family of 5 and I know he worried a lot. When I reflect upon the steadfastness of his routine, what I cherish most is the way in which this simple act set the tone for his day. He felt more relaxed and at peace. Although he had a lot on his mind, his morning ceremony helped him to put his trust in something larger than himself. While I’m sure his prayers helped us a lot, I know it probably helped him more.

Read more...

While watching after my mom last weekend, I got to thinking about her state of mind. She suffers from dementia, so her short-term memory is limited and she is typically confused with even the simplest tasks. Due to her forgetfulness, she no longer drives and has to depend completely on others for the activities of daily living. Observing the progression of her illness is alarming. The look of bewilderment that often falls across her face tells me it is probably very scary for her as well.

Read more...