Through the years I have tried to maintain what the French call “Joie de vie – the embrace of a keen enjoyment of living. This joy of life often shows up for me as an appreciation for humor, occasional engagements with buffoonery, as the ability to see ironies and contradictions in ourselves and in others, and in playful times with friends and colleagues. I also experience the joy of life through shared affections and passions with others, in moments of unexpected inspiration and awe, on occasions when I am moved by love, beauty, and creativity in relationships, in art and music, and when laughing with family and friends. My joy of life has also been enriched and nourished by witnessing the triumphs of our children and grandchildren, by traveling around the world, by learning about other cultures, in my attempts to play bogey golf, and by indulging in fine food and wine. Thankfully, I have been blessed with many opportunities to travel and to discover the wonders of life that fill our planet. These adventures with my wife, Michelle, have confirmed for me the wisdom of Mark Twain who noted that travel is fatal to bigotry, prejudice, and narrowmindedness. On the following pages, you will find some of my favorite experiences and insights that have sustained my “Joie de vie”.