Today we kiss yet another month goodbye. We only have three months left in the year. Amazing, right? It feels like we were just ringing in 2016. And there was certainly no shortage of headlines in September. It saw the presidential race heat up, with Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump edging ever closer to election day. Unfortunately, we witnessed bombings in New York and New Jersey; thankfully, no one was hurt. Eight people did sustain injuries in a stabbing attack at a Minnesota mall, for which ISIS has claimed responsibility. Other stories included the untimely death of Marlins pitcher José Fernandez, who was killed in a boating accident in Miami; Congress overriding President Obama's veto of a bill that will allow the families of people who died on 9/11 to sue Saudi Arabia; and controversial police shootings in North Carolina and Oklahoma that sparked riots in both states. I'm hoping October will be more tranquil and less dramatic than September was. Something t...

Many people may not realize that what we wear plays an integral role in how confident we feel. Haven't you worn a shirt or pair of jeans that fits your body just right and makes you look and feel good?  Perhaps other factors add to its appeal, like an eye-catching design. I surely feel my confidence bolstered when I put on a nice suit, as do many of my male friends. Even though I'm not a top executive, it certainly makes me feel like it. When I meet with top-level managers during job interviews, being in a suit makes me feel as if I'm at their level. Studies have shown that people who are told to wear uniforms of people in a position of authority (e.g. cop) gradually begin to take on the qualities of such individuals. For example, they might become more bossy, impatient, and distrustful. We needn't cross the line, though. I can't stand it when people let their getup go to their heads, making them cocky and obnoxious. No one wants to hear you boast for hour...

If you were to come up with one word to describe your ideal life, what would it be? If several come to mind, try to winnow them down to the one word that best captures what you would consider the perfect life. Words like "rich" and "wealthy" didn't even cross my mind, for I am the farthest thing from materialistic. I think the best things in life tend to be free -- love, knowledge, laughter, companionship. For me, no word encapsulates the ideal life quite like simple . A self-proclaimed minimalist, I try to reduce as much clutter in my life -- both mental and physical -- as I possibly can. I respect those who find great fulfillment in owning the biggest houses, roomiest cars, and shiniest baubles. But that's just not me. I am much easier to please, finding satisfaction in the simplest things -- like reading a great book, taking a relaxing walk around the park, or watching an interesting documentary on TV. You're probably wondering whether ...

Andrew Fox made what will probably go down as the biggest gaffe of his life at Yankee Stadium, and it was captured on the big screen for all to see. After dropping to one knee to propose to his girlfriend Heather Terwilliger during the 5th inning of Tuesday's Red Sox/Yankees game, Fox dropped the ring! A stunned crowd of 35,000 people booed as Fox and Terwilliger frantically searched for the ring for five minutes. Both breathed a sigh of relief when the ring was discovered in the cuff of Terwilliger's pants. Fox dropped to his knee a second time, this time holding the ring ever so tightly, and proposed once again. She said yes. I feel sorry for the guy. He was probably so nervous (perhaps his hands were clammy) that the ring just slipped out of his hand. Proposing in private or in front of friends or family is one thing. Doing it before 35,000 people is another. Even though it didn't go as smoothly as planned, I'm sure it's a day neither Fox nor Terwil...

If you were asked whether your personality was more like that of Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, who would you pick? Chances are, if you're stubborn, assertive, unpredictable, love the spotlight, and have a tendency to say things without thinking them through first, you'll likely say Trump. If you're more reserved, predictable, averse to the spotlight, bookish, and given to researching things before making an argument, you'll probably select Hillary. I'm not saying one style is necessarily better than the other. We all have different temperaments, and if we're happy with them, why try to change? I find my personality most closely mirrors Hillary Clinton's. Some would say I have a very scholarly way of looking at the world. I tend to be very thorough, organized, and detail-oriented. I always do my research before a job interview or meeting, making sure to learn (and sometimes memorize) as much information as I can. I usually stick to the facts and ...

When I went to the mall recently, I couldn't help but notice one thing as I ambled past several stores: The scents wafting from each of them. In particular, you would think Hollister and Abercrombie and Fitch sell perfume rather than clothing; my olfactory nerves kick into overdrive anytime I'm in those stores checking out shirts and jeans. Retailers are going to great lengths to get consumers' attention. Think about all the stimuli as sailing our senses at a mall: myriad advertisements, people walking to and fro, the smell of mouth-watering pizza coming from the food court -- the list goes on. Thus, it comes as no surprise that companies are trying unorthodox strategies for getting into our heads -- and pockets -- not the least of which is pumping pleasant smells into their stores. It all factors into their efforts to create a welcoming atmosphere -- which may encompass everything from dim lighting to clutter-free aisles. Studies have found that consumers are twi...

Have you ever stopped and asked: What if someone -- whether a world-renowned singer or acclaimed dancer -- weren't famous? Would they still leave the same legacy? In a blog post two days ago, I wrote about Jose Fernandez, a promising baseball star who died in a boating accident in Miami Beach on Sunday morning. Two other men on the boat -- both friends of his -- were also killed. The outpouring of grief across South Florida since the accident is unlike anything I've ever seen in baseball -- and in the community as a whole. Jose became something of a celebrity in his hometown and all around baseball, not only for his amazing talent but because of the energy he radiated on and off the field. You'd be hard-pressed not to find him smiling at, hugging, or laughing with someone. The two other men who died in the accident were not ballplayers or anyone famous -- they were just two regular young men whose lives were tragically cut short. Not surprisingly, Jose's frien...

The stage is set.  Drama and nail-biting anticipation fill the air. Can you feel it? The first presidential debate tonight between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, promises to be a doozy. It's expected to be the most-watched debate ever, with 80-100 million viewers tuning in. Not since the showdown between President Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan in 1980 have so many Americans watched a presidential debate on TV. Many are wondering which Donald Trump will show up: the more subdued candidate we've seen the last couple of weeks, or the no-holds-barred, anything goes version of him who lit into his Republican contenders during the primaries. The same goes for Hillary Clinton: Will we see the lawyerly policy wonk we've grown accustomed to over the years, or a more relaxed, less rigid Hillary who attempts to make a connection with voters? Trump has said that if Hillary treats him with respect, he'll do the same in kin...

Even if you're not a sports fan, you might have already learned of this in the news, as all the major media outlets are covering the tragic story. Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez and two others were killed in a boat crash in Miami overnight. This tragedy hits close to home, literally, as I was born and raised in South Florida and still live here to this day. I've followed the Marlins closely since the organization's inception in 1993. Over the years, I've watched countless Marlins games on TV or in person with my dad; we were even on hand for a few playoff games during their improbable championship run in 2003. Because my wife and I moved farther from the stadium last year -- and due to other commitments -- I haven't been as avid a fan the last couple of years, but I still try to catch a game every so often and keep up with the standings. Authorities say speed may have been a factor, and it doesn't appear that drugs or alcohol were involved. A Coast...