Salutations: Seven New Orleans Images

Karen Dalton-Beninato, 12.25.2009

karendaltonbeninato.com

Happy Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Festivus and all the rest of it. Here in New Orleans the balconies are glowing and the holidays are n...

On The Spirit Of Giving: Connecting Business To Spirituality

Shari Arison, 12.24.2009

Shari Arison is ranked as one of the world’s wealthiest women on the Forbes Billionaires List. Own ...

The spirit of the holiday season is now spreading all over the world. For most people, this is the time of good will. I believe that we should take the good will of the holiday season into our everyday lives.

Rejecting Willful Ignorance

Susan Smalley, Ph.D., 12.23.2009

Susan L. Smalley, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at ...

In our rejection of willful ignorance, we need look for ways to give back to those less fortunate than us and to make changes in our own lives that can directly improve the quality of life for others.

Santa Interventions: Helping Parents Save The Magic

Tom Matlack, 12.23.2009

Co-founder of The Good Men Project

Christmas is upon us, and for many Santa's bag full of surprises includes an assortment of personal dilemmas all having to do with ... Santa.

Reflections On Giving And Receiving

Beth Weinstock, 12.21.2009

It's that time of year for active giving and receiving. As I choose which of the soliciting envelopes to open, I've been reflecting on my own different ways of giving and receiving back.

Fundraising The Honest Way

Lee Schneider, 12.21.2009

Founder of DocuCinema, a media production company in Santa Monica

You wake up, and start plugging in numbers into a spreadsheet, ending up with a budget for a $15 million movie. Then you realize you don't know enough rich dentists to finance that, so you cut the budget...

The Susans I Met In The Slums Of Nairobi

Susan Smalley, Ph.D., 12.21.2009

Susan L. Smalley, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences at ...

I visited Kiberia last week. With local NGO leaders as our guide (and two soldiers carrying automatic rifles) we walked through an adjacent neighborhood slum of Nbuta to visit some families that live there.

Healthy Gift Ideas

Dr. Andrew Weil, 12.18.2009

Founder and director of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine

In my view, the best gift is one that benefits both the receiver and the planet.

To Give And To Receive: The When And The Why

Ellen Langer, 12.17.2009

Psychologist and Author

Receiving a gift tells us that someone cares. Giving, on the other hand, tells us more about ourselves; increases the bond between us and provokes mindfulness.

Just Listen -- Too Late For This Year? Try Next...

Mark Goulston, M.D., 12.16.2009

The even greater benefit of giving in this manner is that you find out not only the non-profits and charities that your clients support, but get to hear the story of how and why they chose them.

K9 Connection: At-Risk Teens And Shelter Dogs Get A New 'Leash' On Life

Dr. Patricia Fitzgerald, 12.17.2009

Wellness Editor, Licensed Acupuncturist, Cert. Clinical Nutritionist, Homeopath, Author

K9 connection is a remarkable organization whose mission is to teach at-risk teens how to train homeless shelter dogs in basic obedience skills in order to increase their chances of adoption.

What's an Underemployed Gal to Do? Run For Office.

Diane Tucker, 12.15.2009

Writer/producer/director living in Washington DC

The experience of running convinced me that women have a tremendous natural ability for politics. We just have to get over our fear of it and go for the brass ring.

Foreclosing Of A Dream

Ryan McDermott, 12.14.2009

Veteran, Investment Banker

Helping a new generation achieve their dreams begins with strong families bound together through special experiences. That is why holidays are so vitally important.

Survival Of The Selfless?

Peter Clothier, 12.14.2009

Author and Blogger, The Buddha Diaries

Recent studies of human behavior are revealing that survival skills also required such qualities as compassion, mutual understanding and collaboration, even selflessness.

The Do Good Web

Lee Schneider, 12.11.2009

Founder of DocuCinema, a media production company in Santa Monica

Swadeshi means self-sufficiency. It was a key part of Gandhi's strategy to free India from British rule. Today, there's a new kind of swadeshi with online social activism.

Giving And The Pursuit Of Happiness

Andrew Shapter, 12.09.2009

Andrew Shapter is a filmmaker, photographer and screenwriter

Is happiness something that we can really pursue? If so, how would we define what happiness is, and when would we know if or when we've got it?

Do You Know Your 'Love Language'?

Anne Naylor, 12.05.2009

Personal motivation consultant and author

This time of the year is one in which we are being showered with spiritual Light. This Light comes as a blessing: to let us see more clearly where we might have something to learn.

Become A Philanthropist With A Mission

Kari Henley, 12.04.2009

President of the Board of Directors at the Women & Family Life Center

How many of you consider yourselves a philanthropist? The word conjures up super elite icons like Bill Gates, Oprah and Warren Buffet. However, the true definition of philanthropist is "lover of humanity."

Launch Dreams for $1 at SaveTogether.org

Ben Mangan, 12.03.2009

Have you seen those commercials for McDonald's where a guy roams around trying to get something for a dollar? I think he gets a wire clothes hanger an...

Beyond Fallen Sports Idols: Let's Celebrate the Giving Life

Dan Siegel, 12.01.2009

A writer, social entrepreneur and speaker on politics, film and civil society

Rather than dwelling on the shortcomings of our athletic heroes fed by the "build them up, tear them down" media culture, perhaps we should celebrate those stars who can inspire our children to also give of themselves to others.

Of Bricks And Boomerangs: Social Worker's Tuitions And California's Prisons

Daniel Heimpel, 11.27.2009

Freelance journalist

To save money the UC System was about to raise undergraduate tuition by 32 percent, in addition to hiking fees for professional degrees.