Steven P. Dinkin

“The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.”

Soon, the onslaught of “year in review” assessments will begin. We'll see lists of the best (and worst) movies, the best books and the best music, to name a few.

Reading remembrances of the late Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, I’m transported to a bygone era, when civility, moderation and pragmatism mattered.

As 2023 comes to a close, I am struck by the advances that workers made this year, across sectors.

When you think about it, this most wonderful time of the year is all about connection: to family and friends, to beloved traditions, to fond memories — old and new.

Somehow, traveling across the globe to Japan — as I recently did — has a way of reminding a person of our interconnectedness.

With the Super Bowl next weekend, most Americans have a case of football fever. A record 200.5 million adults plan to tune in to the big game this year, according to the National Retail Federation.

If you grew up in the Midwest, like I did, you know the appeal of a potluck supper. Beyond the scrumptious food, there is a sense of community as people come together to share a meal. Usually, there's someone in charge, lest there be too many Jell-O salads or tater tot hot dishes (both Midwestern favorites).

According to psychologists, the human brain is wired to stereotype, as a way to categorize and process information. Given the inputs bombarding us daily, I understand the desirability. But when we stereotype, what we gain in convenience comes at a cost: We lose the nuance and texture that define each of us, enriching the human experience.

“I'll wash your mouth out with soap!” As a kid, that threat was enough to keep me from telling a lie or using certain four-letter words. Your parents may have pledged to do the same.