Just about three weeks ago, we all started hearing about the critical importance of washing our hands and not touching our face. This article has tricks to help you stop touching your face. As we all know, things have changed tremendously in those three weeks (and are changing every day).…
When my kids were in high school, I wrote a five-part series of "Teenproofing" posts about teens and drinking. The posts include many of my opinions and suggestions including not letting your kids drink in your house. My kids are all in their mid-twenties now, so I haven’t given a…
We can detest someone's actions without detesting the person. We can hate the sin without hating the sinner. When I think of these words, it reminds me of what Arthur Brooks said about loving your enemies in his book and when I heard him speak, which I wrote about here.…
Imagine you’re walking to work. You see a child drowning in a pond. You’re about to jump in and save her when you realize you’re wearing your best suit, and the rescue will end up ruining your suit, costing hundreds. Should you still save the child? Of course you should.…
As has happened to me many times before, this year I found myself inspired by a eulogy delivered by a friend upon the passing of one of his parents. Every funeral I attend leaves me a better person because of something I learn about the deceased, and their life well…
I first became aware of the climate crisis in 2006 when I saw the movie “An Inconvenient Truth”. The movie depressed me. My usual coping mechanisms failed. It took me over a year to overcome those feelings. I read everything I could about technology being developed to deal with the…
At least once a year, an event in the speaker series at 92Y in Manhattan catches my eye. I’ve seen several of my favorite writers, including Malcom Gladwell (three times) and Michael Lewis. This year, I saw Arthur Brooks in conversation with Simon Sinek. I have become a fan of…
Another September 11 is upon us. I publish posts on Wednesdays and with September 11 on a Wednesday this year I looked back to see what I had written in the past on this subject. I started this blog in late 2011 and found two posts: 2012 and 2013. The…
Last year, I published a piece about leaders being followers—following a cause bigger than themselves. A reader wrote to me with some of his leadership experiences: Another thing when I think of a leader is someone who empowers and assists others to live up to their potential. During my career, this…
This year, my wife and I celebrated our 30th anniversary. Around the same time, I read a blog post called “8 Traits of a Happy Marriage, According to a Couples Therapist.” I agree with all eight of the defining characteristics of long-lasting, happy marriages. I am particularly drawn to these…
My friend Ed sent me the following note after we had gotten together and talked about the way we each have a drive to make a difference; to make the world a better place. I recently spoke at an event and closed with this… In the end: What will matter…
“Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood” is the fifth of Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, one of the all-time, best-selling, personal development books. We often jump to conclusions and make assumptions with incomplete information. When we do that—when we fail to seek to understand someone…