Lessons (re-)learned

All your life, you learned lessons about how to behave. How to be a good person. The value and importance of doing the right thing. You learned from your parents, your mentors, coaches, older siblings or friends. You learned from stories, from characters in movies or books that you admired and aspired to emulate. You have always had the choice to do good, to be good. You still do.

In 2020, we have been given an opportunity to re-learn some very important lessons.

• Tell the people you love that you love them -- every day, any time. Don't assume they know it, even if you know they know it. ;-) Tell them anyway. You may not get another chance.

• (This advice is attributed to Bernard Melzer): Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid.

• Slow down. Barring very rare situations, it will all be there when you attend to whatever *it* is.

• Be a helper. So many people need help now. If you can, do. Be a helper. Be generous with what you have.

• Be discerning in your judgment. We are deluged with information these days, more so than ever, and not every provider of information has your best interest at heart. Listen but filter. Process, investigate, question, test.

• Do your best. Straightforward. Simple.

• Work together.

• Be patient.

• Be humble.

• Be grateful.

It's been a hell of a year. We can see the light. Let us remember what we've learned this past year. And, above all, be kind.