In my conversations with everyone from internationally known CEOs to the front line heroes who make the magic happen, each share one ultimate hope: They want to leave a legacy.

We have temporarily lost the ability to hug those we love and shake hands with colleagues. One of the unexpected positives I’ve discovered in the midst of this horrific pandemic is how words can heal.

Daily demonstrations of humanity are rays of sunshine in the darkness of pandemic. It’s the glue that holds civilization together.

That feeling you have right now? It’s grief. The suffering and death that used to be happening to someone else is directly touching each of us. We can’t go back to what was. We can only pick up the pieces and go forward with what is.

When Judith Kay Westerman was born, on March 24th, 1957, our family was complete. My mother and father were hoping for a girl. My older sister, Sandra, came into the world prematurely in 1952. In those days, there wasn’t the knowledge we have now about how to nurture those born too soon. Our folks never talked about Sandra much, but…

A milestone like crossing age 65 naturally invites introspection. Here are a few of the many mistakes I’ve made and some of the things I got right, along with a list of the wisdom I hope I’ve gained during the ride.

Disney CEO Bob Iger’s Principles are common denominators that impact our ability to succeed. Our own “relentless pursuit of perfection” should bring us back to mindful study and honest self assessment of how closely our own beliefs, and actions, align.

Sharing an orbit with a child with Down syndrome has more than its share of magic moments, those instances where the clouds part and what’s really important reveals itself. When they happen, you can’t help but stop and think about how lucky you are to have her in your life. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I take my granddaughter to therapy…

The biggest impediment to forward progress has nothing to do with education, skill or experience. It’s fear. When we peel away the rationalizations and get people to admit what’s really holding people back It’s this: They were afraid.

In a world of instant Internet feedback, we have become addicted to approval. Beyond acceptance, appreciation and attention, one of an individual’s greatest desires is to be understood. Just as giving is a precursor to receiving, seeking first to understand is essential to being understood. And active listening is the key.