Absolutely, every traveler to Cairo can’t wait to experience the wonders of the Sphinx and the iconic Pyramids! While Cairo hasn’t always been my top pick, I genuinely appreciate how breathtaking these monumental sites are. Standing before these incredible structures is an unforgettable experience—it truly feels like you’re in the presence of history itself!

Before you get to actually see the Sphinx, you have to endure another significant activity: the taxi ride to the actual site. A taxi ride anywhere in Cairo is mind-bending, and this was a ride to top all other trips. First, the price. Meters in Cairo taxis are for decoration only, and negotiating the price is no different than haggling over the cost of a local drink. The currency is the Egyptian Pound, and as I was settling in, I had no idea at all about the actual prices for the ride.

Anyway, I finally hopped into the old taxi, and he blasted off through Cairo’s cramped, noisy, and terrifying streets. We bucked and rolled for about 20 minutes, and after a right-hand rocket turn, to my amazement, I was looking at the Pyramids. I’m sure that Lawrence of Arabia used a different route getting to the site, but here I was. Wow. When I started my journey, for some unknown reason, I envisioned the Pyramids, and the Sphinx was a distance away, possibly in a quiet, thoughtful area that would enhance the visitor’s experience. In fact, it was within walking distance of a local neighborhood. Who knew?

Once you’re actually there, you’ll fight for air and space with an army of vendors trying to sell rides (Camel and Horse, thanks) and tour guides. I made it through this. mob and found myself standing at this fence, actually looking at the most iconic creation, ever. As I moved to the pyramids, I couldn’t help but realize that, once again, I am so thankful for the opportunities to travel the world and see things that are often once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Yes, my friends, amazing things are actually just around the next corner.

From around seven years old until I was about 10 or 11, my wonderful Aunt Dorothy (famous for Jell-O) began a series of delightful life improvement plans just for me. A special part of her program was exposing me to experiences she believed would truly change my life.

One of my most cherished memories is us sitting on her sunny porch, listening to Earl Nightingale’s inspiring motivational records. I never quite understood why my Aunt Dorothy chose me for this educational journey, but I’ll never forget the powerful messages. She’d sit beside me and gently say, “Now, Billy, pay close attention to this message; it’s really important. I want you to remember it.”

I always took my Aunt Dorothy’s advice to heart; here I am, nearly 75 years later, hearing her kind voice and encouragement. Listening to Earl Nightingale was only one stop on her improvement plan for me. Even now, Aunt Dorothy, you are a powerful force in my life.

Sometimes, you might feel unsure if you’re like Caesar about to cross the Rubicon or like Captain Queeg cutting his own tow line. We’ve all heard the phrase “crossing the Rubicon,” but what does it really mean—and why am I talking about it now?

It’s a metaphor for taking a step that you can’t undo, committing yourself to a certain path. We’ve all done that at some point—sometimes it led to great things, other times not so much. So, why am I thinking about crossing that line at this particular moment? Well, on my last birthday, I found myself closer to the end of my life than the beginning. When you reach this stage, the Rubicon seems to glow brightly—you realize crossing it is permanent.

The year I was born, the average life expectancy for men was 64.7 years. I’m happy to share that I have already exceeded that, and at my current age, the projected average is now 76.1 years — a milestone I’ve surprisingly surpassed. Knowing this feels like hearing a loud alarm ringing in my ears. While crossing the Rubicon isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it does prompt me to think carefully about what lies on the other side.

My daily devotional message appears on the first screen of my smartphone. By now, I shouldn’t be surprised when the passage touches on something I was thinking about. This morning, I was thinking about the terminal illness and the ultimate death of my friend’s wife, and my dear friend who committed suicide. It’s something that pops into my thoughts most of every day.

Today the verse was Ecclesiastes 3:1,7: “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die. A time to tear and a time to mend.” The passages cause me to pause; while so many Bible passages are difficult to understand, this is clear and helpful.

My friends and their families live every moment with these passages in mind.