Yes, there are 31 (now, 30) days before the start of 2017, but in the spirit of getting a head start, we want to offer some suggestions for New Years resolutions. You might find them helpful for the earlier holidays as well.

If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension. And if you didn’t ask me, I’d still have to say it. George Burns

George Burns should know, he made it to 100 (1896-1996).

Meditation Mount

Ojai, CA

As we gather today around tables with family and friends, let’s remember what we are giving thanks for. In case you need a suggestion, try this one from Story People…

When I need help shifting my perspective, one of my “go to” person is Brian Andreas of Story People. His quirky drawings and brilliant insight often light the way to a better outlook. You can subscribed for a daily dose of quirky on the Story People website.

Story People
Brian Andreas

A very good question for a Friday…

Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?
Robin Williams

When helping others is part of your job description…

Things to ponder midweek…

We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for I don’t know. 

W. H. Auden

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial
Nanjing, China

I have always been intrigued by the thought of mixing chocolate and chili. A few months ago at brunch at Wrights, I had the opportunity to sample this combination. What surprised me was how the spiciness of the chocolate made the nuttiness of the almonds POP! 

Have you tried any interesting combination of foods lately? Perhaps something unusual? You may be pleasantly surprised by the taste.

Chocolate Chili Pound Cake French Toast
Wright’s
Biltmore Hotel
Phoenix, AZ

Reality is all about perspective, and realizing that it is ALL about perspective. Changing HOW we see things will change WHAT we see. 

What do you see in these images?

Winnie the Pooh typing or a woman holding a child?

Saxophone player or a face?

A candlestick or a face?

A face in a forest?

This classic “Cathy” comic strip magnet has lived on my refrigerator door for the past 2 decades because it described my “dinner hour” for much of that time.

Much has been written about the “healthy” diet (usually a Mediterranean diet) but very little about HOW the diet should be eaten. Meals in Europe require 1-2 hours to consume. The reflex arc signaling fullness requires about 20 minutes to travel from the stomach to the brain! No wonder many of us overeat when we finish a meal in 5 minutes or less.

Next time you sit down to eat a meal, consider eating slower and really taste the food. Better yet, sit down and share a meal with friends and family. Bon appetit!

“Imagination is more important than knowledge…” Albert Einstein 

Have  you ever noticed that certain orchids contain a tiny alien pilot flying a floral space ship? Take a look. When we are flexible with our perceptions, the ordinary can become extraordinary.