Why is it that we close our eyes when we do certain things -- like hug, kiss, pray, and cry? That's easy: It's because the most beautiful and exciting things in life are not seen, but felt with the heart . In other words, we find little need to see anything or anyone, for the intense emotions we experience come from deep within. Consider people who ride rollercoasters. At some point, they've closed their eyes just before a sharp turn or steep drop. Why? Because they become so consumed by their emotions -- fear and excitement among them -- that visuals seemingly take a back seat. In fact, many people find rollercoaster rides far more exciting when they close their eyes than when they keep them open throughout. I'm sure you've also noticed that many people -- perhaps including you -- close their eyes while eating scrumptious food, whether a cheese pizza or juicy steak. And there's no denying that a kiss on the lips doesn't feel as passionate i...

In keeping with this week's central theme of remembering the past, I thought it'd be fun for us to share stories about our first kiss and/or crush. I'm sure most of us remember the first person we kissed or took a romantic interest in. If you think about it, a first kiss is a milestone moment in one's life, and one's first "relationship" in childhood signals a yearning to connect -- for the very first time -- with someone of the opposite sex on a more intimate level than you would your friends. The first girl I kissed was a girl named Doris whom I sat next to in Kindergarten class. The funniest part? It happened during a game of Truth or Dare. Yes, even kids that age were playing that. (I can't imagine the things they might be doing in 2015!) I met my first crush, Helene, in the third grade. She claimed to be interested in me, and it showed. I spent my days either looking at or thinking about her. But I couldn't work up the nerve to ask her t...