Let’s begin a Pandemic of Positivity to blanket the earth ahead of COVID-19.  I suggest that each of us reach out and share positive thoughts with everyone we know.  The contact will be welcomed, you will feel good by helping, and the positivity will carry all of us through the weeks to come.

I’ll go first.

I’m alive, which is great.

When I walk in my neighborhood everyone I pass smiles and waves (from a distance, of course).

I’ve been given an opportunity to connect more closely with my children and family.  I’m spending a lot of quality time with my wife, and she hasn’t kicked me out yet.

I’m enjoying frozen berries which I had forgotten about, and programs on TV which I otherwise would have missed.

It’s quiet.

I’m proud of so many in our country who are helping out, and I’m especially proud of everyone who works at my company.  They are working remotely, and doing a wonderful job.

We are all in this together. Neighbors are helping neighbors, and people everywhere are engaging in acts of generosity and kindness.

I urge you to pass your Positivity along to everyone.   We are in charge of our own thoughts and lives, and we are also able to care for and support those around us with an encouraging phone call, text, or email. It has never been more important to reach out to one another.

Let’s appreciate each new day. We will make it through these challenging times, with many stories to tell.

Love to all,

Alan

When I was nine years old my mother grew tired of driving me to school each day and decided to let me walk.  It took me about twenty minutes.  At first I stuck to the sidewalks next to the road my mom had driven, but after a few weeks I discovered the thrill of cutting across vacant lots and walking over the hill instead of around it.

Those vacant lots had well-worn trails created by many who preceded me.  At the time, I didn’t think about them at all.  I simply followed their path.  Today I realize that in our lives we each follow various metaphorical roads that have been surveyed, constructed, and used by others before us.

For example, think about language.  None of us invented English, Spanish, or Chinese.  I am still amazed when I hear a three-year-old child, or anyone else for that matter, speaking French.  But imagine a world without language.  How would I ask my wife to scratch my back?  By grunting and pointing, I suppose.  How would we name our children?

How would I communicate my thoughts to you?  The answer is that I wouldn’t.  There would be no email.  Could I even ponder such things as “psychology,” “coronavirus”, or “Greek Salad” without having the tool of language developed by others before me?

When one of my sons was attending Dartmouth Medical School he mentioned that Nathan Smith, who founded the school in 1797, for many years was the sole administrator and instructor.  Imagine that – one person knowing and teaching all a medical doctor needed to know.  Years ago, when I had a specific medical condition and called the appropriate specialist, his office asked me just one question, “Right knee or left knee?”  The human body hasn’t changed much during the past two hundred years, but the body of knowledge and the practice of medicine certainly have.

When Europeans settled in America a large majority were engaged in farming.  Today most of us travel a different road of employment.  Many of us sit in front of screens and tap on keyboards much of the day.  I find that strange.

Aside from just being philosophical, there is a significant practical value to thinking about the roads we travel.  How else can we evaluate the many paths we follow in life – at work, at play, and in connecting?  How can we make the best choices or even evaluate our present path if we don’t give ourselves the freedom to contemplate?

Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”  I wouldn’t go quite that far, but we all travel along so many roads and I believe that we benefit by occasionally standing up, looking around, and considering our journey.

Alan

When I was active in high school and college debate I used a lot of evidence to support my arguments and I often referenced or quoted an expert to back up my position.  During the years when I was actively involved in debate (1955-1961), no expert predicted the future beyond 1975.  Accordingly, that date became a kind of time-barrier in my mind.  I thought that after 1975 we would all metaphorically drop off the edge of the earth, like Columbus sailing to America.

A second time-barrier that I didn’t even think about then, or ever, was my 80^th birthday, which actually snuck up on me last week.  As a kid and teenager I didn’t know anyone that old.  In fact, anyone older than 60 was ancient.  Right?

No more.  I’m not ancient.  I’m just experienced.

Though I experience lower back pain when I walk, an occasional mental recess when I try to remember names or places, and difficulty hearing conversation in a noisy restaurant, I still feel great.

Seriously, though, it’s difficult for me to be serious about my age.  After all, my dad lived to be 104, and for the last 50 years he didn’t seem to be much older than I was.

On my 80^th birthday Daveen and I shared a memorable dinner with friends, and I started to think about the important lessons I have learned during the past eight decades.

1. Everyone has different preferences and values. Daveen and our three daughters are Vegans.  They could be right.
2. The only person who suffers when I get upset is me. So I am seldom bothered by anything I can’t control.
3. I am not in charge of what happens to me, but I am in charge of my reaction. See #2.
4. Many people care about me, as I care about them. That’s a large part of what keeps me going.
5. Different ages, different stages. I’m throwing out or giving away clothing and treasures that I’ve accumulated over many years.
6. I’ve led a complicated life.  Now it’s time to simplify and relax a little.  I prefer working an eight hour day rather than a twelve hour day.

Happy Birthday to you, whatever day of the year that may be.

Alan