During the 1996 Summer Olympics, I saw a young athlete with his brand new silver medal around his neck and a massive smile on his face. He was so thrilled with his achievement that he was mixing and mingling with everyone he met on the sidewalk. Perfect strangers were shaking his hand, slapping him on the back, and having their picture taken with him. I did not know who he was, but it was clear that he was relishing the highest point of his life to date.Read more

King George III asked Benjamin West, his American painter, what George Washington would do if he prevailed in the Revolutionary War. West replied, “He will return to his farm.” The British monarch incredulously said, “If he does that, he will be the greatest man in the world.” On Dec. 23, 1783 Washington did just that and retired to Mount Vernon--despite the encouragement of many to stay in power. Despite the willingness of Americans to crown him king. Thirteen years later, he would do it once again.Read more

In a world where it seems like everything is changing, isn’t it comforting to know that some things just never change? Basic human nature is one of them. While we credit Abraham Maslow for documenting the five basic human needs, they have been around since the beginning of time. They are:Read more