My life is nothing but a proof of kindness of strangers.

I’m not sure why I’m reminded of this today. I think it’s because I realized, as I carry on the conversation about terms with my new job, I’m guided by my mentor’s advice. He’s no longer here with us — he passed away last July — but somehow he’s still guiding me. I find that so amazing.

His name is Michael P. Johnson, an African American businessman who was retired and serving on the board of Tiger Woods’s non-profit. He once told me, I think way back when I was starting my professional career as an engineer, that you don’t negotiate with people you trust. I asked him what he meant. He said I can ask for what I need and if they can’t accommodate it, I can let them know that I’m disappointed.

In a trusting relationship, you don’t have to negotiate because there is implicit trust that you have each other’s best interests in mind. It’s a conversation rather than a negotiation. Ed Saxon once told me that the relationship you want to cultivate is the one where you look out for each other’s best interests. It’s much stronger than each person guarding their own interests.

On days like today, I really miss Michael. He also once told me to always do the right thing the right way so my soul can rest. I was in emotional turmoil because the shortcut I took went against my values. I followed his advice and everything just worked out.

He was a spiritual man, another contemplative person living his vocation among everyone else. Today I want to honor his memory, and remember all of my mentors — too countless to count — and strangers who’ve helped me even when I couldn’t understand why they were helping me and my family. I love that inherently people are kind, and I find this so reassuring today. Thank you God.