There are days when nothing feels right, when things seem a little too much or even overwhelming, and we need a gentle nudge to remind us that hope and joy still exist. At such times we either want to be left alone, waiting for the feeling to pass, perhaps taking long, brisk walks to shake off the gloom, or we reach out to close family and friends. And sometimes, we turn to books, movies and music. Books aside, movies can feel like friends too—stepping in with vivid character

Paramahansa Yogananda, the renowned yogi, once said, “Blessed are those who do not indulge in sensational news.” To that timeless wisdom, one might add, “Blessed, still, are those who do not read or consume distressing news.”   But in this 24/7 plugged-in world, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the flood of bad news. There’s so much of it that at times it seems inescapable, leaving you anxious and somewhat apprehensive about your present and future. While you can’t control g

On Christmas morning, I met an old acquaintance who had come down from London with his family to spend the holidays with his parents. With the help of a caretaker, he was in the process of moving his father from a wheelchair into his car.   “We’re taking mom and dad to my place for Christmas lunch,” he said after we exchanged greetings. “My sister and her family, from Sydney, are here too.”   “That’s wonderful,” I said. “I can’t imagine how happy they must be.” I wished him a