Daily I drive to McDonald's for a large cup of black coffee. McDonald's coffee is made to please a billion customers, so it's a bland cup of coffee which suits me well. But the McDonald's I frequent has a special group of employees, starred by Israel, my friend at the drive-thru window. I had been paying Israel almost daily for several months. Amazed by his positive and friendly persona, one day I asked him his name, and after that daily I would say "Hi Israel" and he'd a

"Talk is cheap," certainly can be an accurate phrase. How often are we out with friends or colleagues, talking about a topic, and the conversation goes back and forth about each person's own experience? What's missing is an engaged dialogue by "listening" to someone and responding with a question, comment, compliment or empathy. That, is an engaged discussion. Next time you're out with people, "listen" to them and pursue engagement. If the person is one who only talks ab

There is another four-letter word that compliments "Wife" and that's "Love." The words are united, and I am fortunate to have both. My wife is not just the person I love the most, but she's my best friend. I mean it, she is my best friend. I still feel it when we are out, get separated, then when I see her, there's an indescribable feeling of love, relief, comfort, and thrill. It's the "butterfly" feeling. I know the feeling and I hope other spouses know that feeling. My