Whenever participating in a health fair, business expo or trade show, one of the greatest rewards beyond new business and touching lives is the opportunity to let your hair down and just talk to folks. A recent foray into the mid-Hudson Valley at the Poughkeepsie Mall was a great day for us, e.g., new business for our wellness company, trading perspectives with other professionals, sharing 911 experiences with American Red Cross staff and volunteers. It was also a disheartening and disturbing glimpse into the dark side, meeting people who have given up, have no hope for changing or improv-ing their lives, and are just existing and waiting to die.

The most depressing conversation early of the day was with a young man, about 18 or 19, who literally has no hope, no expectation of being able to do better, or to change his future. He dropped out of school after ninth grade. Had a brief incarceration after a minor trouble. He now works at a local Stop & Shop and believes that is where he will work until he dies. He sincerely believes he is incapable of doing anything to change his lot in life. We talked. I proffered some thoughts and examples of success, such as an associate who went from car wash