Meet Gonzalo, one of the most knowledgeable guides I have ever encountered. He shared with us a wealth of information about his country, and he also taught us some new insights about interactive signals. For example, when

Gonzalo was discussing snobbish or snooty people or those who thought they were better than others, he would flick the end of his nose with his finger. He used this signal when discussing people who look down their nose at others or stick their nose up in the air as if to say "I am better than you."

Another of his nose signals was putting one finger on the side of the nose. In his country this is the sign given by the listener to indicate that the speaker is boring and talks too much. A flick of the back of the fingers rubbed under the chin and directed toward the speaker says, " I don't believe you for a minute." While we are all face readers, it was interesting for me to realize how important these communications can be in other cultures.

Here is one of the artists we met in the market. What is it about her face that shows she is an artist?  Do you think babies would like her?
Why? What are your chances of rushing her into a quick decision? What shape are her eyebrows? Does she have a broad base to her nose? Has she been tested?  Is she sensitive?

I did not learn her name but I do know that she is a very pleasant, cheerful and friendly person. Her full cheeks reflect that she is a nurturer. People instantly like her and babies will crawl into her arms. Her low ears and high, angled eyebrows reveal that she will not be rushed into making a decision and that she stays mentally in control. The broad base to her nose says she is a provider and that ball on the end of her nose is the mark of an artist. Her compassion line from the right corner of her mouth to her chin is a living testament to her life struggles.

While I admired the beauty of her handiwork the real payoff for me was her picture. For me her picture was worth more than a thousand words and a real insight into her personality and her culture. 

The end of one year and the beginning of the next often begins with it the making of our New Year's resolution. Unfortunately for many of us (myself included), our resolutions are often easier to make than keep.

In Ecuador the tradition is taken to the next level.

Effigies are made to represent the Old Year. It may take the form of  a grumpy old man or woman or some disliked political figure. The figure is dressed in old clothes and stuffed by the celebrants with firecrackers. People also stuff the effigy with papers on which they have written down their challenges and failures of the past year. They may include things they were sorry for or wished they could change or things that they hope not to repeat. At the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve the effigy is set ablaze and the revelers watch as  the past year's failures and disappointments "go up in smoke" and the slate is wiped clean.

Whether your New Year begins with a "bang", a well-intended resolution or some other time honored tradition, I hope it is both a safe and happy one for you and your loved ones. This holiday season has brought many heart-warming stories of people reaching out to each other to remind us what is really most important.

It is my hope that in this New Year you really take the time to deepen your connection with your family, extended family, friends, neighbors and people you live with by taking a moment to really look into their faces. Nothing connects us more than the feeling of being truly seen. From the bottom of my heart I wish you and yours a deeper connection in this coming New Year.