Before My Last Breath

I felt it important to add one last blog for 2008. I’ve been in a kind of “holidaze” recently and just haven’t felt compelled to write. I can hear some of my beloveds groaning at that last comment. I know that I’ve been MIA but that’s OK. I still have plenty to share and more to say. Will you stay tuned in 09? I hope so. Today however is the last day of 08. Another wonderful year has come and gone. Filled with so much living, a little procrastination, and a whole lot of love. It was, as they all are really, a fine year. I made every attempt to end this year on a high note. So that meant getting up at 5am, assembling my mountain bike gear, loading the bike in the truck and heading off to a 7am client meeting. As soon as I was finished with the meeting I dialed my buddy and brother in arms Jimmy and told him I was on my way to the woods. He and Moon (the man) and Takoda (the dog) met me there and we headed out just as the snow started falling. It was cold and silent except

I woke up this morning thinking about epitaphs. I don’t know why, or if something in particular triggered it but as I went about my morning ambulation I kept wondering what if you could live your own epitaph? If you knew someone was going to write about you after you were gone, how would you live, and what would they say as a result? What kind of life did you lead, what sort of person were you? And knowing all this how would you live? What choices would you make? Would you smile more? Would you be kinder? Would you have more patience? Would you take better care of your body? Your mind? Would you complain less? Would you remember to say thank you and please? Would you take out the garbage un-reminded? Would you stop to smell the flowers – literally? Would you hold the door, or let someone go ahead of you in traffic? Would you pick up the phone and call someone you care about and say “I love you”? Would you give away some of your money to charity, or someone less fortunat

It’s been a while since I can say that I had mud on my legs and actually appreciated that fact. You see I went for a mountain bike ride Sunday afternoon. The last time I was off road on a bicycle I lived in California. That was six years ago. My old ti bike has been transformed into a rigid forked, slick tired city basher that can pull a Burley trailer with baby. The cold weather has arrived suddenly and riding a road bike in weather like this sucks. You need a thousand layers on and even then your fingers and toes freeze. I am a warm weather roadie. Riding the rollers indoors is an exercise in will and focus and patience. I started thinking there had to be a better way to keep riding my bike outside until the snow started falling. I had a brilliant and simple idea. I’d buy another bike. Mon dieux! Not another bike! Yes add another to the stable of 3 now 4. So a friend of mine sold me his full suspension bike that he never rode and was in virtually showroom condition (tha

Last night something amazing happened. Some might call it a miracle. Some felt as if their prayers had been answered. And still others felt the despair in their hearts loosen as they watched this unique American spectacle called Election Day. It wasn’t even close this one. The hope and desire for real change manifested itself in the man who won the election by a landslide. The snapshots of Americans who voted for Obama were varied and diverse. The images of people, yeah just people of so many colors standing as one were spectacular. But what struck me the most was the reaction from around the world. The photographs of citizens from places far from this American soil showing their optimism and joy for the new president to be were beautiful. It blew my mind. It reflected the connectedness that we all share – the oneness of humanity. It was as if color no longer mattered (when really did it ever?). It was like we finally grew up as a civilization. And the man on the TV screen was one of u

I just checked out the New York Times website to see what was up in the big wide world today. Ouch. Slowdowns, recessions, markets in turmoil, global violence, job layoffs…you get the picture. Oh one piece of great news: Exxon posted a record 58% jump in profits. Thank god somebody is doing well out there. No I’m not the cynical type. I was in my early youth. 18 years old and smelling bullshit a mile away. Distrusting of the status quo I sought the alternative path, mostly out of reaction (as opposed to real conviction). I fought against authority, bridled against convention, and found solace in the writings of Hesse and Camus and Kesey and Chuang Tzu and Dee Brown and The Beats. I slept on the ground a lot, hitch hiked across the country numerous times, and relied on the kindness of others more than not. I saw the world back then as an adversary and not a worthy one either. I felt like the things that were “wrong” with society (or civilization for that matter) were inherited. I had no

Today I had a bit of epiphany. Occasionally that happens to me. An ordinary experience, a normal day, nothing in particular can occur and yet…let me take you there. Today Meg and I packed the car and headed north with Rita and Ed and of course Bodhi. We went to a farm stand and bought some veggies. Bodhi pulled a wagon around the farm the entire time we were there. From the farm stand we went to an Audubon sanctuary that I hadn’t been to in a while and hadn’t shared with the gang yet. There is a really cool stone formation there that reminds me of Ireland and the incredible rocks and energy in that country. This spot definitely had something mystical about it and it felt like somewhere other than Ipswich, MA. We all really enjoyed that spot, especially Bodhi. He ran around the paths that wound through the rocks and tunnels over and over again. He gets so excited by being in Nature, even taking these blissful little gasps of breath and saying, “woods”. Too cute I know. But it gets me se

If you read any major headline these days the worldly turmoil is evident all around us. I don’t pretend to be a political or economic analyst. I’m neither. But I have been observing my own internal chaos recently and I can’t help but see the parallels between the outer and inner. Between the world at large and my own little world between my ears. I’ve been in a bit of a personal recession lately. Physically battling some nasty lingering cold and feeling like my lower back could collapse any time I bend over. The experience of feeling physically like crap and the challenges of growing and shifting a business that is directly tied to the economy and people and their money has me somewhat tweaked. There is some sort of internal transformation going on in me. I’m getting the opportunity to see those things that work and those things that haven’t been working. The old way vs. the new way. For some reason it’s taking a lot of energy and focus to stay in a good place mentally. The ironic thin

Today I was privileged to witness the end of a life. I had been feeling like there was something a little bit different about the day ever since I woke up. The urge to log on to the internet first thing and follow the descent of the stock market had lost its appeal. My interest in the world had waned this morning. Plus I was out of the office most of the day. I had a number of morning appointments with clients and then had to drive to a job we’re doing out of town about 20 miles south. On my way back home I decided to stop by REI which was right off the highway and return some things I had purchased last week. As I was driving there a state trooper flew past me with lights and sirens then pulled off the next exit which was the one for REI. Traffic slowed as a result. This exit dumps out onto a rotary (roundabout if you’re European – and a mystery if you’re not from Massachusetts). I could see another local police cruiser that had pulled over to the side of the road and the two police o

As with most Americans (and more likely most of humanity) I’ve been watching the financial turmoil over the past few weeks pretty closely. I don’t claim to understand its intricacies or even the best course to chart to find a way out of it. Was it a bad thing the market plunged 777 points today because the House of Representatives failed to pass the bail out proposal? Was it scary? Are the implications and repercussions yet to be fully experienced? I don’t really know. As I mentioned I’m no expert on the economy. But I do know a thing or two about CRISIS. And isn’t that what we’re supposedly in right now? That’s the word being used over and over again to describe how people are feeling. In crisis. When I review my half century on this planet I see many similarities in my own experience to the economic shakedown happening now. So many times in the past I made choices that were not necessarily the best choice long term and suffered greatly when it came time to face that choice. I am talk

My apologies in advance to anyone who is offended by this title. But I’m sure you’ll get over it and here’s why. I watched a movie last night by this name. Pretty predictable, sometimes funny story of redemption set in London. The main character is not really fat per se (just a decent paunch), he’s just a slacker who has put his demons out of sight which essentially keeps him from being happy and living the life he wants. I saw a great deal of my former self in this character and maybe a little residue still there in my current self. Y’all know by now I love stories of redemption and transformation. To me that’s why we’re “here”. Not to live like a rock, static and unchanging (sorry to you rocks out there), but living engaged, flowing and inquisitive and unafraid to shift a point of view or belief (sometimes seemingly as solid as stone). Without giving away the plot for those of you about to put it at the top of your Netflix cue, a marathon is used as a metaphor for the main cha

18 years ago today Nicholas Kai Gilroy entered the world. I remember that day like it just happened. He was born at home, with the mid-wife missing in action, and me having just arrived from working on a carpentry project that Saturday. After timing his mother’s contractions I figured I still had the opportunity to shower and shave and welcome our baby without the days dust on me. Barely out of the shower and half shaved, he started to emerge! I had no time to think about what was happening - he was ready to be born. Thank god I watched all those birthing videos in our Bradley class of Peruvian women popping out children and then going back to work. Easy right? I’ll never forget that moment as he slid into my hands and then gently onto our bed and the wonder in my voice as I said “it’s a boy”. And what a boy he was and now I can say what a man he is! Nick is a total joy and always has been. An amazing companion; a kind and thoughtful son. Funny, beautiful, smart, driven, helpful, loyal

“Now they will know why they are afraid of the dark. Now they learn why they fear the night.” For those of you who live in New England you might have an inkling of what those words mean. Thulsa Doom said them to Conan after he was discovered at the Mountain of Power. Yesterday the Boston sports world went suddenly dark with one misplaced tackle on Tom Brady’s left knee. It was amazing to watch the collective breath of football fans held while awaiting word on Tom’s knee. Both those who love him and those who find him an adversary. Without a doubt a great athlete was dealt an untimely and disappointing blow. His season is over. The world went dark for Patriots fans. And yet as I have spoken of in many of these blogs Life is full of opportunities. All I could think of when I heard the news was how many of them there are. Check it out: For Tom it’s a chance to see how he handles an injury that will keep him from what he loves for this year. How will he handle that reality, what stories wi

“Heaven on earth means you are absolutely delighted with your life just the way it is. You aren’t trying to fix yourself, manifest more money, a better job or a bigger house. You find the sacred right here and right now. That is also where you connect with the creative energy that wants to express in your life. Abundance comes as we learn to trust the Creative source inside us. We can’t do that when we are busy finding fault with our lives.” Paul Ferrini I love this quote. It totally captures the feeling I want to live my life by. It grounds me to the present moment, opens a channel for gratitude, and invites unlimited possibility into my life. Tapping into what Paul terms the "Creative Source" I can appreciate everything I experience throughout my day without judgment. So many times my mind will have a strong opinion about what happens during the day to day events. When I connect to this quote I can literally feel a feeling of openness and harmony with everything I

I know, I know, again with the disappearing act. My sincere apologies. I have no excuse except that the words and inspiration have their own timeframe. Anyway. I’ve been thinking about the ability to change. To change when things just aren’t going well, or when aspects of our creation (see: Life) no longer feel good either physically, emotionally, or even socially (see: Globally). How is it that we live our lives so smartly and assuredly and then reach a point when we look up from our day and say, “huh?” "Where did the time go?" Or as David Byrne sings, “how did I get here…?” Or "who am I?" Ok, deep questions for so early in the day but isn’t it just like that? How do we become the catalyst for our own evolution? Or in my case how do you teach an old dog a new trick? Can’t be done you say? I beg to differ. This old dog awoke one day and saw for a brief moment that I had literally created all the circumstances in my life – including the ones that were at that time br

First of all many, many thanks to those of you who supported my ride to benefit The Jimmy Fund last weekend. It was an amazing, inspiring, and moving experience. Plus I had a blast riding my bicycle across eastern Massachusetts. That was easy compared to some people’s stories of survival and loss. So thank you! Today I’m told by those who know such things is a very auspicious day. Ok I’ll buy that. Even though it feels like any other normal day. I awoke. That’s a miracle right there. I talked to some of my employees, a couple of subs. Dealt with the usual client stuff. Had a chance to watch my youngest son do his breakfast show. Gave a kiss to my honey before she went off to baby swim class. So nothing extraordinary about the day so far. Except this; in all the mundane routine that fills my day there is this gleam of magic. It has never happened quite like this before. This day I mean. There is a huge space right outside my office waiting to be filled. Sorry Mom but he

Apologies for the sporadic posts. I've been training for the Pan Mass Challenge, a 196 mile bicycle ride from Sturbridge to Provincetown, MA. That and working a lot make the time to write a challenge. Lame excuse I know but whatever...Syl you still listening? (I doubt it). The PMC is a benefit for the Jimmy Fund raising money for cancer research. Visit their website (PMC.org) for more info. I'm still accepting sponsors if anyone is so inclined. Just type in my last name and you can donate online to a great cause. My son Nick has been kind enough to get out on the road with me taking his turn pulling me around at a fast tempo. I marvel at his natural ability and fresh young legs. Maybe next year we'll ride the PMC together. So think of me and the other 5000+ riders making our way across Massachusetts this Saturday & Sunday. And if you have any pull with the weather gods, 70 degrees, sunny, low humidity would be fine. But you know what? It's New England and it will be

Tonight I had the good fortune to be sitting in a room of aware people. It was a gathering that could have been from a thousand years ago. It was a room full of strangers whom I’ve known my whole life. It was the present looking into the future. One of the phrases I heard that stuck with me from this night was “the heart of the unknown”. That phrase unlocked these words, these feelings inside of me that attempt to express the wonderment of playing in the unknown arena that I call LIFE. Think about it for a minute: every moment of every day of every year of our life we are faced with the unknown. From the minute we arrive naked and crying to the last breath we inhale into what will be our final exhalation we have no idea what’s coming next. None. Zero. Not a clue whatsoever. I don’t care who you are or what you do or what strategy you employ to ensure you do know what’s next – you simply don’t know. We can attempt to create a level of security around our existence and from my p

Wow, has it really been 2 weeks since my last post? My mom must think I’m dead even though she lives right around the corner from us and sees me frequently. She pretty much relies on my blog to know what’s up with me. Hi ma! Your boy’s alive & well. So what’s with the gloom and doom headline? Well for starters there’s been this funky weather front stalled over New England making the skies dark and threatening and the humidity high. Rain, thunder, lightning as a looming presence. And people just seem to always talk about it. That’s one part of the G & D. The other is the news. Both the kind you read and the kind you hear. The stock market is most enjoyable to observe. Watch the gossip, then watch the reaction. The economy, the fear, the wars, the up coming presidential race, the housing market, the doping in the Tour, the slumping Red Sox. Oh they won last night – cool. Anyway, I’m not buying it. Any of it. And why would I? Do I need to feed off of the negativity

Once upon a time there was a man who loved birds. Over the years the man had many birds, one after the other. He loved their beauty, and especially loved listening to their songs. He would very lovingly care for each bird as best he could, provide a wonderful cage for them to live in, good food to eat, and sweet water to drink. The man would love to come home after a day at work and talk to his beloved bird, and ask her to sing a lovely song for him. And each bird he kept would sing so perfectly because she loved the man so much. Yet each bird the man brought home eventually died, and not from old age. He would come home one day and the bird would be simply dead in its cage. The man was always very, very sad afterwards. He would mourn the loss for a long time, sometimes for a year or more before he would find another beautiful bird to keep. The last bird the man had was so beautiful and so special that he thought she was the best one yet. She died faster than any of the othe

My oldest brother and I play a game sometimes. He'll shoot me an email with some poetry or an obscure passage from an old Chinese mystic. I'll fire something back, and we'll parry on like this for days. My brother suddenly becomes my muse... See for yourself. drifting in and out of belief about what Is possible two butterflies dance past on an invisible stage leaving me to wonder how things got just so complicated. J

Guess what? No dreams of clients or projects. Wow! Maybe it’s because I left everything I had at my desk after working late last night to catch up on things like writing proposals and doing invoices. Thank gawd for Megs and all the help she recently provided to get my business caught up. No way I could do it all without her energy and assistance. Thanks baby. You da best. If any of you dear readers run your own business you know what I’m talking about when I say it’s pretty much a 24/7 deal. I’m not bitching mind you, it’s just a ton of responsibility to have seven people I’m feeding while figuring out the best way to destroy someone’s house, put it back together nicely and for the amount of money I said it would cost. All while trying to line up more of the same. The trade offs make it worthwhile (don’t they?) yet my mind is pretty much thinking about my business most of the time. However just so you don’t think I need a really long vacation or jolt of 50,000 volts I do find ways to e

I guess this is my week to write about my life as a general contractor since it’s pretty much what I focus on every day. Yup, it’s my job. Last night I dreamt of another client. Just so you don’t think I’m crazed and obsessed I almost never dream of projects or clients. But maybe there’s a good reason I am. Let’s see. In the dream I was walking with the client and looking at the work that we were supposed to complete and that someone else had been hired to finish. I wasn’t that impressed with the quality but the client seemed happy so I didn’t say anything negative. We walked together for awhile. I kept sensing he wanted me to approve of something - not just the work but maybe him or the process we went through. Actually I wasn’t entirely sure why I was there. Now I am. I really like the client I was dreaming of. He’s a good guy, a guy’s guy – someone I could relate to: a father, hard worker, trying to do his best in the world and take care of his family. The only problem is he fired m

I had an unusual dream the other night. It was about a client who was upset that she had changed the design of her project and felt like she had made a mistake in doing so. Now the project was built, and what was she to do? We were talking over the phone and I could tell she was struggling to get her words out without getting emotional. I thought this a little odd but didn’t have any real judgment about it – I just listened. As she spoke she got more and more upset and she began to cry. Finally I said what to me seemed like the obvious. I said that she really didn’t have to get so distraught, there was nothing a sawzall and a nail gun couldn’t fix. And you know what? In that moment I said that with 100% conviction. Like talking to someone who was sad it was dark in their room and me saying to them then just turn on the light. She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after that and then the dream ended. I mentioned the dream to Meg the next morning and she laughed. Meg in her l

So that first leaving home experience wasn’t so bad huh? I ventured into the unknown and found it to be not so scary. Initially that was the case yes. That year between high school and college turned into a bit of a challenge however. I made some really silly (obviously in hindsight) decisions that led me to some experiences that put a damper on my foray into the unknown. And in the years to come I continued to stumble after that brilliant start out of the gate. But what would wisdom be without the mistakes and failures to inform us and lead us to a place of awareness if we’re so lucky? That’s the keyword however – inform. If you’re like me, then a hard head tends to batter things numerous times before the way around becomes clear. My lessons came hard and fast. I don’t go quietly – never have. It’s all or nothing, 100% conviction, damn the torpedo’s, screw convention, take the path less traveled type of strategies. Let’s flash forward a couple of decades, multiple relationsh

I’ve been thinking about leaving home recently. No, I’m not going anywhere. It’s just that I know a couple of young friends who recently graduated high school and it got me reminiscing about the excitement I felt at leaving my own known world behind for the first time. The first real time I left home (not counting during my senior year when I went to live with my best friend for 2 weeks) was exactly three days after my high school graduation. We graduated on a Friday, had a killer all night/day party at a friends house Saturday/Sunday and by Monday I was at the airport. I was totally primed and ready to go seek my way in the world. I was heading west like so many pioneers before me. I had seen that mythical, vast, and heroic part of the USA called the Continental Divide for the very first time when I was 15 years old on a family cross country trip. Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana. All places that were ingrained in my young psyche by repeatedly watching the old western mov

What a lucky man I am. Yesterday I saw so clearly how truly blessed I am to have two sons. One of them is Nicholas Kai. Nick is 17 years old and a fine young man. He has experienced more in his 17 years than many people do in a lifetime. He is beautiful, kind, helpful, compassionate, smart, a great athlete and a Dreamer. He has seen that this life is his canvas and the choices he makes affects the quality of that art. People are constantly remarking on his maturity and wisdom. I love Nick so much and am incredibly proud of who he is and excited to see who he will become as a man. My other son is 13 months old. His name is Bodhi Quinn. He just mastered walking. He is an amazing little light. Last night he woke up around 3am crying and hoping to nurse. Meg has been trying to wean him from the “midnight snacks” as we call them and Bodhi has not been too cooperative. So last night I went to his room and picked him up out of his crib and sat down in the rocker and started to si

This morning I was having a conversation with a client. I was on my cell phone and she was on hers. Where her project is located has sketchy cell service at best and when I see I have a signal and make a call I try not to move from that spot. Doesn’t always work though and often I’ll be talking and notice the other person is not responding. I wonder for how long was I going on and at what point did I lose them? That can be frustrating or humorous depending on the day. Anyway, this morning I lost my client mid-way through our conversation. As I re-dialed her she drove up in her truck. Apparently she was right down the street suffering from her own minimal-signal-bar syndrome and had pulled over so as not to lose the call. Pretty funny the strategies we adopt to keep communicating in the 21st century. How did we live before cell phones? As she got out of her truck I could sense a feeling of inner relief that we could now resume our conversation in person without fear of having

Many years ago I lived in brick building on the corner of Second Avenue and 4th Street in Greenwich Village. I was living there with three dancers from NYU. It was a magical time. It was a time when possibility ran through my veins. It was a time when Life was a merry-go-round. Once on all control was lost and once off the dizziness was overwhelming. It was a time of pushing boundaries and struggling to gain awareness. In other words it was raw. The scrapes and bruises were real – and I gave as good as I got. 20 years old and living large as possible. In those days my mind was into Lao Tzu and Herman Hesse and Buddhism and the chivalry of martial arts. We ate Szechuan food almost nightly and drank red wine on the stoops. We threw parties and stayed up all night watching the lights go out in the street as the sun came up over the East River. Yet in my heart I was a spotted pony running across the prairie. The city was not my home. Too much humanity packed too tightly and no

A friend sent out today a beautifully written though very intense missive about our nation’s addiction to our current way of life – namely our perpetual thirst for oil and our rampant consumerism. (Check it out at http://www.spiritrecovery.blogspot.com/ “When the Game is up”). Nicely written Lee. It got me to thinking about the ways in which we resist change, or in some cases welcome change. What’s the dynamic? What determines why we would resist or why we would embrace that simple word? Change. The American Heritage dictionary on my desk lists 7 different definitions which in my interpretation all boil down to mean – ain’t nothing staying the same baby. Change. What does that word elicit inside each of us? What emotions does it give rise to? What happens when our beloved says "it’s time for a change?", our boss calls us in and informs us of a “change coming?" What happens when Life let’s us know in usually not so subtle terms it’s time for a change? Why do we so often

I’ve been observing the way I create lately and wondering why it’s on such a small scale. I’m not talking about the day to day creations, but the big picture creation. And no I don’t mean the “five year plan” or “ten year plan”. I mean the overall creation of the way I so strongly desire to live. I put so much attention on those things I believe I need in the moment as if they’re a cure-all salve for my yearnings. And to some degree they are. But the real yearning encompasses all of the smaller yearnings and if I would only put my attention on that bigger picture desire I would ultimately be so much happier. For example how many of us think like this: if only I had a better job, or better car, or better relationship, or a better wardrobe, or a better motorcycle, I would finally be happy. I know my mind works in this way. It tricks me into thinking if I acquire one more “thing” I’ll attain that elusive serenity and peace of mind. In actuality I desire even more things after satisfying t

Lots been going on as of late. I feel like I’ve been neglecting the blog recently, but not for lack of things to say. Just getting my ass down in front of the computer and pounding the keys…so bear with me the next few days. I’ll get myself back up to speed again. Last night I witnessed a milestone. Today I had the good fortune to witness another. Both amazing achievements, both equally inspiring. And both a huge part of being alive and human. Last night I attended the Red Sox game with Meg & Rita. We were treated to a once in a lifetime pitching performance by Jon Lester the 24 year old southpaw who recently beat cancer and resumed his pitching career. The energy in the park was electric from the 7th inning on. Each pitch had the crowd on their feet – including Megs & Rita who know little or nothing about baseball. It was one of those moments we humans participate in that is remarkable and timeless. The other inspiring milestone was watching Bodhi begin to walk. To

I was emailing a friend today about buying a couple of sport touring motorcycles for a trip we were planning in the fall and I noticed in our numerous exchanges that there was a feeling of contraction in what he was saying. He made a few references to the economy being down, and people selling their “toys” first in an economic downturn – those non essential things that men acquire. Boats, motorcycles, snow mobiles, fast cars, etc. My friend was suggesting that his funds were tight and if he were to buy a bike it should be a short sale from someone needing quick cash. I know that his net worth far exceeds mine and I wondered about the difference between contraction and expansion. That got me to thinking about the experience we create inside ourselves. Why did I feel the complete opposite of contraction? I had this really expansive feeling about what was happening both economically and personally for me. I could feel the momentum steadily build inside of me. The more expansive I fe

Tonight I was thinking about signs. In the regular world signs are there to help us navigate. No Left Turn. Stop. One Way Do Not Enter. In another world there are different signs. A world not so obvious. But still there to assist us in finding our way. There are signs that let us know on a deeper level that everything is ok. I have always been noticing those different signs and seeking their meaning. Those signs are there to guide us on an inner level. I call them the invisible signs. They are literally invisible if you’re not ready to see them. When you are ready to see them and you do they expand your mind. They blow us away. They break the hold of the ordinary signs and launch us into trusting what we see on an intuitive level. "It Was Meant 2 Be". I remember walking along the street and finding this small one inch by two inch rubber sign in the gutter. At the time I was dating a woman off and on and took this as a sign that we should be together permanently. I really thou

I have a really cool friend. His name is Mitch. I call him Doc cause he’s a chiropractor. I also call him Moshe because he’s Jewish. He’s like an old rabbi who has a twinkle in his eye and a wisdom that runs deep. Mitch isn’t old yet though. He’s a few years younger than me. We have been friends for about 16 years. A long time ago he helped me to integrate a valuable tool into my life. I have been using this tool recently with my business. On this particular Saturday years ago Mitch and I planned to get together for lunch. Just before the appointed time he phoned and mentioned a long time client just called looking to get adjusted right away. Although Mitch’s office was closed he lived nearby and agreed to meet the client. I was annoyed and said so. I suggested he tell the client he was busy and they could meet later. Mitch very patiently replied that he wanted to help this client to feel better and we could meet afterwards. I was still pissed (why I can’t imagine now – seems pretty in