It’s that time of year again. The Christmas lights are twinkling, carols resound and the spirit of the holidays is upon us. Are you feeling joyful and uplifted or stressed and overwhelmed? Our holidays seem to be more and more about the pressures of shopping, traffic and too-much-to-do. Can we find an antidote? Can we regain the warmth and the feeling of community and connection that we hope for at this time of year?

The Dalai Lama says that the way to cure any stress or unhappiness is to forget out personal dramas and take some time to think of others . What better time than now? And what better way to uplift our spirits than to help someone who is truly in need?

There are children today, in Nepal, who cannot go to school and receive a basic education. Without it their future is greatly limited. They cannot hope to improve their lives. You can help change that. So, I invite you to give the gift of education. Give the gift of compassion and yes, love. Imagine a small face alight with excitement over the knowledge that they can now go to school.

This is the season of love and of giving. Let a child know that someone is thinking of them and that someone cares about them. Your heart will be happy. I promise you.

We are so fortunate, aren’t we? Think of the comforts we all have and the luxury of being able to give gifts to our loved ones. This year, make a gift that is deeply meaningful and touches the heart. Donate to the children of Shanti and I will send a personal card  to the recipient of your choice, telling them that a donation has been made in their name. What a beautiful gift of love!..for a child, for your loved ones and yes, for you, too.