I find myself often repeating the phrase, "Better safe than sorry," as we get back to ‘reopening America’ after months of lockdowns, shutdowns and stay-at-home orders brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. By nature, I hate the restrictive nature of helmets for bicycling, seatbelts for traveling in a vehicle, or wearing a face mask when entering a public space. But wearing a face mask really isn’t about protecting myself anyway. It’s about protecting those around me who may be more vulnerable to the virus. ...

“Take a chill pill” may be the modern equivalent of this ancient maxim. Give it a try. Before returning to hyperdrive, prepare to exercise your right to slow down and even say ‘no.’ It’s a liberating experience to not be dominated by anything. ...

Haunted by his own poor sleep habits, Dad didn’t want his children to inherit the trait which kept him groggy and foggy through daylight hours. He wanted us to get a minimum of nine hours of sleep, then wake up ready to take on the challenges of the day. ...

If you work hard enough to perspire, you build strength and endurance in the process. So when you hit a wall, you don’t give up in defeat. Rather, you summon up the ‘inspiration’ to try again with a slightly altered approach. Maybe this time you’ll discover that genius within. ...

“Never say never and always avoid always.” My father would quip this ironic phrase whenever someone’s absolute stance on an issue seemed absurd to him or whenever one of his children seemed too cock-sure of themselves. ...

“Begin the Beguine” was a popular song written by Cole Porter in 1934. To my father, it was yet another one-liner he’d toss into conversation for dramatic effect. ...

What stands the test of time is the evidence of either a job well done or a trail of sloppy missteps, mistakes, and burned bridges. If you demonstrate that you’re dependable, on time and agreeable, that speaks much louder than your list of accomplishments, awards, certifications and degrees.  ...