Norman Cohn, one of the smartest, most engaging and engaged people I’ve ever met, is celebrating his 90th birthday today. Many of you have met him, through ASI, or through me, or through my stories about him. So I wanted to share his thoughtful answer last week to this simple question: “What have I learned in the first 90 years of my life?”

– Promise and deliver

– Focus on what you wish to be remembered for

– Remember to enjoy sunsets, and if you are lucky, from time to time you will see a rainbow

– Be patient (Norman says he doesn’t do this nearly well enough, but I’ve found him incredibly so.)

– Be positive (He ALWAYS thinks the glass is half full!)

– Appreciate and enjoy the life you have earned or been given

– Appreciate your close family

– Be self-reliant

– Records and trophies are nice, but memories are what counts

– Strive to do what you love for as long as you can

– Try to be a better version of what you were last year

We should all strive to be more like Norman.