There is a great line from Ted Lasso in an episode where he explains how people have underestimated him his entire life. One day he sees a quote from Walt Whitman, painted on a wall. It says, "Be curious, not judgmental." I hope this is reflected in the mask I created with my very rusty artistic ability.

Curiosity is the most important quality of a journalist, and I expressed this on the inside of the mask. With the help of my daughter Kaylin, I designed a montage of books that have been important to me. The exterior features a landscape, as I have become fond of biking through the forest preserves to experience the beauty and tranquility. It inspires my creativity. These are two activities that help me regulate my mental health. It is a phrase that has carried a stigma for generations, and I feel only now are we truly starting to understand that we all experience mental issues from time to time, both directly and indirectly.

Instead of judging someone's behavior, we might want to take a step back, and ask ourselves a few questions about what this person's backstory is. This is the great lesson from one of the books featured inside my mask - A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. If this mask could talk, it would say, "Be curious, not judgmental." I was curious about that Walt Whitman quote. It turns out, he did not write it. However, I am happy Ted Lasso brought it to life for so many viewers. I hope this mask brings it to life for you.