I’ve had many mentors in life, but most of them had departed this life when they taught me their greatest lessons. They’ve lined the walls of my study and filled my bookcases with their words of wisdom. Like many of our Turning Points readers, I enjoy good books and have profited immeasurably from biography....

It is often said that to avoid disappointments we must avoid expectations. That is, if we have no expectations, we will not be disappointed with whatever happens in life. “Well, that was underwhelming! No problem—I had no expectations at all.” I could say a lot about that philosophy of life....