Final yr, Ms. Szekely joined us in Chicago for the premiere of a documentary I directed about her referred to as “Wellness Warrior.” Throughout an interview after the screening of the movie, she emphasised wanting round to see how we can assist others. That’s one thing I wish to take to coronary heart.

Warren Buffett, who presided as CEO at the latest annual board assembly of his firm, Berkshire Hathaway, in Omaha, is one other inspiration. Although he shocked many by saying his plans to retire at the finish of the yr, recommending Vice Chairman Greg Abel to take his place, that’s not unhealthy for somebody 94 years of age. Buffett voiced optimism for the future of the markets regardless of the adverse impression of the present administration’s tariffs. I’ve little doubt he’ll proceed to be one of our most invaluable sources of financial knowledge even after he passes the torch to his successor. (And by the manner, Greg Abel is taken into account very “ready” to take his place. At the Annual Assembly, many had been singing Abel’s praises.)

Buffett additionally made headlines when he pledged to give away most of his wealth, and he’s identified for his quiet philanthropic efforts. “My wants are easy,” he has mentioned,” What made me blissful at 40 makes me blissful at 90.” At the assembly final weekend, Buffett mentioned that he realized when he was very younger that he was good with numbers and preferred them. So his life’s work was additionally one thing that introduced him pleasure. That and his household. We should always all be so lucky as to search out out what we’re good at, and what we love, and proceed to do it till we’re 94! 

I grew up in Chicago loving the blues, and going to see nice bluesmen in individual, both at the Regal Theater, or after I was older, at nightclubs. My favorites had been Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Albert King, and Buddy Man. Nearly all of them have now departed this earth. So think about how thrilled I used to be that amongst the nice surprises in Ryan Coogler’s hit new film, “Sinners,” is the pivotal scene it offers to Chicago’s personal blues legend Buddy Man after its preliminary finish credit have materialized onscreen.

In his dialog with Robert Daniels about the film, Odie Henderson famous, “Seeing Buddy Man in the mid-credits sequence was simply one other manner Coogler bolstered his earlier scene of musical transcendence. The blues won’t ever die as a result of, like our historical past, it’s an oral custom simply ready to be handed right down to the subsequent era.” His efficiency of the movie’s memorable track “Travelin’” served as a becoming capper for a movie celebrating Black tradition at a time when it’s repeatedly being threatened with erasure.

Buddy Man mentioned that he’s nearly 90 years previous and that he is not prepared to hold up his guitar but. That’s certainly excellent news.

Blues music has meant a lot to the tradition for a few years; it conjures up empathy. Empathy is just not an enemy of society, as some high-profile pundits have lately instructed, however one of our best instruments in preserving the future of our species. I’ve hope that every one that has been eliminated over the first months of 2025 will return simply as our heroes did in “Avengers: Endgame.” And I’m past grateful, in the meantime, to take pleasure in the knowledge of sages like Warren Buffett, Deborah Szekely, and Buddy Man, who’re pointing the manner towards a greater and brighter future. 

And of course I might be remiss if I did not add a nod to at least one of the largest proponents of Empathy and Compassion—Pope Francis. He made his final journey amongst the folks in Rome on Easter Day, earlier than he handed away quietly in his sleep at the age of 88. Immediately, Might 7, is the convening of the Papal Conclave to elect his successor. All of the main tv stations are airing the gathering of the Cardinals earlier than they go into seclusion. The query is whether or not the Conclave will elect somebody like Pope Francis who revered Mom Mary, washed the toes of prisoners,  ministered to these on the margins of society, preached a gospel of inclusion and empathy, lived a life of simplicity and adherence to his religion, and opened the Church to extra roles for ladies (although not but in the prime function).

Or will they elect a extra conservative and conventional successor who can be a “course correction,” as some name it. Will we now have the first American Pope, the first African Pope, or the first Pope from the Philippines? All of the hypothesis is at a fever pitch, even exemplified by betting websites the place one can place a wager on the subsequent Pope. One of the most fascinating elements of that is that the TV announcers are additionally debating in earnest about the qualities one hopes to search out in a Pope. And we do not hear sufficient about rules of what makes individual or chief. That’s refreshing. And persevering with the theme of inspiring elders in our society, the Papal course of is one the place an individual 60 years previous is taken into account too younger!