Defining moments.

My first memory of seeing the Statue of Liberty.

➡️In 1970, when I was in second grade in New Jersey, my class took a trip to the Statue of Liberty.

It was only a 30-minute drive from our cushy, middle-class neighborhood.

Back then, everyone brought metal lunch boxes to school.😯

But for this trip, our lunches were packed in brown paper bags instead.

My classmates and I sat at the base of the Statue and ate lunch, looking out over Liberty Island.

I finished most of my sandwich, walked to the rusted, weathered garbage can, and tossed my bag on top of the pile. 🗑️

A minute later, I saw a homeless man reach into the can and take my bag. He began eating what I had thrown away.

That night, I asked my parents why anyone would eat food from the garbage.

They answered me in just three sentences.

I cried.

And I never forgot that moment.

➡️The next year, in 1971, a classmate called me a dirty J*ew.

I was only 9 years old. 😢

➡️1976- I successfully lobbied the principal at my middle school for ...

The best gift of communication you can offer anyone is the gift of your attention.

It's great year-round. 

🔷It costs nothing and requires no shopping.

🔷There’s no need for fancy wrapping.

Paying close attention requires deep listening skills—fully focusing on the speaker, listening not just to the words but also to tone, body language, and emotions.

You can’t genuinely understand someone else’s perspective if you miss a few words or sentences they are expressing to you.

Learn how to pay attention without distractions. This is priceless. 

Focus on others and block out distractions—no phones, pings, or alerts.😮

Don't try "faking someone out" by acting like you're engaged when you're mentally drifting. 

Forget the email that needs to be sent. 

Forget that the car needs gas. 

Forget about stopping at the store.

The truth is that people notice when you're "checked out." Don't kid yourself.

🎯The better way is to be more self-aware. 

Exceptional communicators catch themselves qu...