There is one thing that comes in many colors and fits everybody - money. Devastating events like fires leave one feeling powerless - re-gaining a sense of personal power is essential to getting on with life. There is a sad but healing adventure in making fresh choices - buying this dish, that clock, that new dress. It is an active way to regain a sense of personal power.

A rather special person told me about an interesting exercise - for one month, skip lunch on Wednesday. Let the hunger remind you of people that are having hard times. Sit with your hunger; open your heart to both kindness and gratitude. After four weeks, take the money you would have spent on lunch, put it in an envelope and give it to somebody who needs it. In four short weeks you will be looking and feeling a whole lot better both inside and out.