One of my favorite books is Arthur Hailey’s “Hotel,” written in 1965. Hailey was well known for novels in which he gave detailed overviews of various industries in the process of spinning plots and sub-plots focused on memorable characters. Back in that day, I believe he was considered to be ahead of his time.

Today I felt overwhelmed thinking about the number of things I have to do pertaining to personal and professional goals, and how much older I am than most men who are engaged in similar endeavors.

Then the character Mr. Wells from “Hotel” came to mind. For the balance of the book, Mr. Wells appeared to be a simple, quiet, 87-year-old man of limited means just relaxing while staying in the “St. Gregory” New Orleans hotel. Then, toward the end of the book, Wells was revealed to be the hotel’s remarkably wealthy and shrewd new owner. In the process of telling that to the hotel’s general manager, he mentioned that he owned newspapers, shipyards, and restaurant chains. “I like new things,” Wells said, “it keeps me interested.”

I may not have Well’s money, to put it mildly, but I’m grateful to still be much younger than he was. I want to be like him when I grow up – liking new things, and going about them with vigor and a childlike sense of wonder throughout the remainder of my years.