The Buddha offered many teachings to help people end their suffering, the first and most important being the Four Noble Truths. They offer us a structure with which to reflect upon our suffering and transform it through conscious action. Whatever form your suffering takes—stress, anxiety, weight gain, addiction, conflict, or something else—thoughtful consideration of these truths will help.

1.   All of us have suffering in our lives.

2.   We can identify the causes of our suffering.

On May 22, I had the pleasure of talking with Jamie Oliver after he received the Healthy Cup Award from the Harvard School of Public Health. He is as warm-hearted and compassionate in person as he is on TV, and I was touched by his fervor to help kids around the world lead healthier, longer lives.

I came away from our meeting understanding one point above all else: He inspires each and every person to take responsibility for transforming our food system.