London in New York

We are living in strange and curious times. In what Nobel Prize winning economist, Paul Krugman has referred to as “The Madoff Economy” everyone probably knows someone young or old who has been impacted in the current economic climate. Accordingly, simply saying “happy holidays” sounds as meaningful as flipping someone off as you pass them on the highway. Trust me, I know. My hope instead is that we will all take a look at the world around us, the people in our lives who have and will continue to be affected in the coming months and years ahead with compassion. Let us make a commitment to understand how we can not only enhance our own lives, leading to greater security and fulfillment but what we can do to impact a friend, a family member or random soul we have already met or shall meet in the coming months and choose to do something special perhaps even spectacular for them.

PLAY IT FORWARD. All I can say is that I have been the beneficiary in my life of some random acts of kindness which surprised, floored, shocked and perhaps even saved me. And when I once dared to ask, why me, why now…what I was told by my little friend, who is no longer in my life, was, I hope some day you will do the same for someone else Chris. There is always someone lonely, beaten down, distraught, on the edge who has given up, fallen on hard times or the victim of bad luck. Sure I have had many challenges in my own life which I have had to overcome but I consider myself and my semi humble existence to be one of the luckiest men alive. I feel a connection to this Universe and the people in it, beyond my family members. We all have ups and downs, peaks and valleys. Often we have no choice but to overcome them alone, but a ‘YES YOU CAN’ can go along way to pushing someone along. In a material world it is often difficult for some to look at what they have beyond how much or how little they have in the bank or in material possessions. A strong spirit and a strong soul will help anyone weather the toughest most challenging times.

REMEMBER, New York can be a cold and lonely place to some but it can also be the most spectacular place on earth, when you say, “I love you”, “How can I help you?”, “What is bothering you?”, “Why don’t you share some hot cocoa, a glass of wine with me or come over for dinner?” etc. THE GREATES GIFT(S) that you can give to anyone this holiday season is your time, attention, friendship and compassion. You need not make a trip to Bergdorf’s. Although if your friend is a sales girl on commission at Bergdorf Goodman she might appreciate a visit

HUMANITY. That is the team we are all on.

In the end, It’s A Wonderful Life but some of us need a reminder every now and then.