The period of 40 days leading up to Easter, known to many as “Lent”, is a precious time for the church. It is a season to reflect upon one’s spiritual walk: to fast from earthly pleasures, embrace a sprit of charity, and to be refreshed by a deeper commitment to prayer. A mere few days before Lent began, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI made a startling...

Think of it as Survivor: Earth As reality TV host Jeff Probst might say (cue theme music; roll panoramic video), “This … is the planet Earth - a spectacular paradise that can become a perilous jungle.  Two people – a man and a woman – are about to begin the adventure of the ages.” “Their progeny will encompass vastly different...

Spring 2013 blooms with a vibrant palette! We’ve got bright monochromatic colors - cobalt blue, luminous yellow, playful greens - 80’s neons and sugar-dusted pastels.  Floral patterns are front and center with spring’s modern romance blossoming. Flowers are transformed into wearable art with floral prints, floral lace, 3-D petals, and flower...

“Sometimes I feel like you’re worthless!” said the voice on the phone. “Well then,” I replied.  “I suppose we shouldn’t be together.” I hung up. After months of trying to end things, of breaking up with him repeatedly, I finally had the courage to let my boyfriend go once and for all. In the aftermath of that final phone call...

[caption id="attachment_42118" align="alignnone" width="640"] photo by sgrace[/caption] What is the all-compelling power of life? I was confronted with this question recently when my wife and I went to watch Les Miserables in the theatre. From the moment the movie started, I was drawn in. The setting is 1815 in France. In the opening scene, an...

Do you go to the same vacation spot every year? Have pizza for dinner almost every Friday night? Always hit the stationary bike or treadmill at the gym? While it can be comforting to stick to the familiar, being more adventurous can improve your relationships, health and mental well-being, says Dr. Frank Farley, a psychologist at Temple University...

How do you convince your workers to go along with a change? Employees are typically resistant to change because they have grown comfortable to doing things a certain way. It’s hard for them to see the benefits in fixing what doesn’t seem broken. But that doesn’t mean it has to turn into a battle every time you change something. In fact,...