Gaudete Sunday after the Sandy Hook school shooting

RIP Victoria Soto, 27-year-old teacher at Sandy Hook Elementary School who gave her life protecting the lives of her 16 first grade students.

How do we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, which means Rejoice Sunday, after the Sandy Hook shooting? By following the counsel of today’s reading and looking to what’s true and honorable, like teacher Victoria Soto who gave her life to protect her students.

Will we finally have a national conversation about guns because of the the Newtown school shooting?

newtown-school-shooting-children

Spiritual leaders can offer a distinct perspective on the Newtown shootings, free from the political framing. To start, we can say, simply: This is not OK. We cannot dismiss incidents like this as a cost of freedom. The human suffering is not acceptable.

Musical paths — from Lisa Stansfield to Sneaker Pimps [VIDEOS]

lisa-stansfield-kelli-ali

Join me on the musical journey (with videos) my brain went through in 30 minutes or so from Lisa Stansfield to the Sneaker Pimps. Is this music-nerdiness? Yes, but I find the connections music makes fascinating and beautiful. Hopefully a few of you will appreciate that, or at least enjoy the music.

Latkes for Hanukkah — any excuse to celebrate with food

My latkes from Veselka this year. Photo: &copy 2012 Phil Fox Rose

I’m not one to pass up the opportunity to celebrate with food. And not just within my own tradition. So each year, I honor Hanukkah by picking up some latkes – potato pancakes. Here are some reflections, tips and a recipe.

PETA’s misleading propaganda war against Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit

the-hobbit-bilbo-horse

PETA has decided to make an example of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit in a publicity campaign to end all use of animals in films. As best I can tell, their case against The Hobbit is thin at best, more likely intentionally deceptive.

Another “Facebook is out to get you” hoax

facebook-warning

Once again, there’s been a flurry of urgent posts from Facebook friends encouraging people to assert their copyright and forbid Facebook from using or selling material they post on Facebook. First of all, this is a hoax. Second, I have news for you all: while the internet is public space, owned by no one, Facebook is not.

The Salvation Army has lost my dollar in the kettle

salvation-army

Already under criticism for its position on homosexuality both internally and politically, the Salvation Army has crossed another line by celebrating anti-Obama propagandist Dinesh D’Souza, and lost my dollar in the kettle.

A Thanksgiving reflection from the Buddhist tradition

Autumn leaf  (c) 2012 Phil Fox Rose

A great Thanksgiving reflection from the Theravadan Buddhist tradition. Happy Thanksgiving!

4 tips for conscious gift shopping for Black Friday and, even better, Fair Tuesday

Close-up of Christmas card from local craft business Parallel Print Shop in California

Choosing a present specifically for another person, wrapping it playfully and offering it to them involves love, selflessness and hospitality. But how do you buy gifts consciously in our mass consumer culture? Here are some suggestions.

Life of Pi: A 3-D delight that stays on course

life-of-pi

Life of Pi is one of those books you imagine will not translate well to film. It’s too fantastical and too abstract, while at the same time being basically a one-person story. I’m delighted to say that Ang Lee has pulled off the near-impossible and made a movie worthy of the beloved book