I’ve always been a little hesitant to talk about how good life is. On the one hand, I know that life has ups and downs. I’m glad to be up but don’t want someone who is down to feel worse. And, I’m almost superstitious, thinking one asks for trouble saying how good things are going.

On the other hand, I don’t mind telling Johnny_Mango has it good right now (and has known the ups and downs before). Vibrant and bright and capable of connecting with anyone (even me), he heads out each day to see, to listen, and to note.

Years ago I had the depressing realization that living by example, showing people the way to live, is completely lost on most people. We don’t have the time or interest to observe and learn through observation. We’ll buy millions of self-help audiotapes and instant-better-life-juice, but we won’t spend a minute learning from anyone but the self-anointed experts.

Jon’s too smart to set himself up as an expert and to offer you the 7 Secrets to Living in 5 easy installment. And yet, he’s a map to the good life. Pay attention. mjh