Quotes, aphorisms, proverbs or whatever you want to call them — I’m a junkie.  I picked up the habit from my father who was an Associated Press journalist.  Readers of my nationally syndicated column will recognize them as morals. They…

A famous art professor died and went to heaven.  At the Pearly Gates, the professor asked St. Peter: “Who was the greatest painter in history?” St. Peter pointed to a nearby cloud.  “See that woman right over there?  She’s the…

The great American filmmaker Cecil B. DeMille said, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.” As I’ve said in the past, I always try to start each day with a healthy dose of vitamin C – Creativity.  I believe…

Joe paced back and forth in his sister’s kitchen one Sunday before dinner.  His sister Carol recognized the worried look on his face and called him over to where she stood next to the sink. “Hey Joe, can you hold on…

I had the pleasure of attending the Super Bowl in my home state of Minnesota in February along with many of the parties and events leading up to the big game.  One of my favorites is Taste of the NFL, which…

I’m back with another installment of street smarts, those skills that go beyond what is taught in school – the lessons we learn by experience and practice.  Never underestimate the value and importance of “extracurricular” education. First idea:  Don’t be afraid to…

I often use the expression – One person can make all the difference in the world. That adage certainly applied to my friend Bruce Halle who recently passed away.  Bruce was the founder of Discount Tire, the nation’s largest tire and…

If I had to name the single characteristic shared by all the truly successful people I’ve met over a lifetime, I’d say it is the ability to create and nurture a network of contacts. Although I never met David Rockefeller,…