My book club has a holiday book exchange every year. It is a fun evening that we all look forward to every year. We have a nice meal, good laughs and great conversation. The topic of dog training came up. A few of us have new, young, energetic dogs. The prevailing attitude was that a dog doesn’t respect you if it doesn’t listen to you. I piped up with an aggressive disagreement on this topic. One of my friends said, “This really triggered you!” My response was, “I don’t like using that word...

The true definition of philanthropy is to give without expecting something in return. However, if we do subscribe purely to that definition we do get something in return. We receive a dopamine hit for doing a good deed. Doing something kind and generous for another literally improves brain health. Neuroscientists have coined the term “helpers high” to describe the reaction in our brain when we engage in selfless acts of kindness. A kind act literally creates a cocktail of dopamine, oxytocin...

One of the dominant forces behind writing this blog was to create a deeper understanding and forge a more meaningful relationship with those of you who choose to grace us with your presence. After all, we do enter into a relationship with you the minute you step across the threshold of our door. Yes, I did use the word relationship. We are in the presence of each other, we are communicating and we are taking care of you, and in turn you are taking care of us by treating us with respect, care...