Do you want to give someone false hope? Forward to one of those barely researched, unproven internet articles that have seven steps to overcoming grief, six steps to a new you, and, my personal favorite, five steps to reach your goals.

My first confrontation with discomfort came when the turtleneck fad hit my hometown. I was in the first or second grade when my mom, caught up in the craze, went shopping and came home with a purple turtleneck for me to wear to church

Everything I do should revolve around moving my message into new audiences, expanding its reach, and booking more speaking engagements. But I cannot in good conscience head down the road of this message only serving me because that is not how it started.

One of the things I missed by going to the gym more than two hours late was a group of older gentlemen who worked out then. This crew of five was all above the age of 80 (and one was pushing 90). How could anyone not make it to the gym when a group of retired gentlemen managed to make it there consistently?

The trickle of panic started with just one bead of sweat. I rechecked my bag, the car, and my wife, Anne's, luggage. I rechecked everything again and again, but could not find the item. I calmly asked Anne if she had seen my brown leather shaving kit bag. When her answer came back with a no, I mentally pressed the full-on panic mode in my head.

A cold nose nudged me awake around 2:30 a.m. The bed was so warm and I knew the outside was so very cold. The long drive to Minnesota’s north shore meant my four-legged best friend Marv did not get his usual four-mile walk to burn up his endless energy. 

Our Christmas Tradition 

My good friend, Adam Richard Rottinghaus, once sent me a note about my drive to share my story with the world.  

“I knew you before I knew your story, and the who man is my friend today would certainly not be the person I respect were it not for one powerful character trait — drive...