The soul-sucking activity of TV-watching feels better when it is done with other souls.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. The older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Don't waste time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.

Replace the words "have to" with "get to" and watch how the cold rain on your life changes to sunshine.

Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Don't waste your time on jealousy; sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself. Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults; if you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

For some Chicago expats, food is the medicine that blunts the pain of separation.