New York (CNN Business)

The United States is in a maternal health crisis.

Maternal mortality and morbidity rates across the country have increased steadily over the past 20 years, even as rates in all other developed countries have decreased significantly.

New government data shows that US maternal deaths jumped by 14% during the first years of the pandemic, to 861 in 2020.

The rate of maternal deaths for Black women in the US was nearly three times higher than it was for white women over that time frame.

Goldman Sachs wants to change that. Mahmee, a six-year-old maternal healthcare startup, has announced the closing of a $9.2 million Series A funding round led by Goldman’s Growth Equity Business.

The investment is part of Goldman Sachs’ One Million Black Women initiative, a $10 billion commitment to narrow opportunity gaps for Black women over the next decade.

Hooray for Goldman Sachs!

We need more major corporations to step up to their societal responsibilities.

If not today, when?

The “Mona Lisa” was the subject of attempted vandalism on Sunday when a visitor to the world-famous Louvre museum in Paris smeared frosting all over the Renaissance-era painting’s protective glass.

The man, who appeared to wear a wig in videos of the incident shared on social media, approached the painting in a wheelchair before throwing a piece of cake at the artwork, according to a statement from the Louvre.

Videos of the aftermath show him on foot with a wheelchair nearby. (CNN)

Fortunately, the world famous painting is protected by a glass shield that prevented the pastry form causing harm.

Some people want to create while others want to destroy.

That’s just the way the world is and always has been.

That’s why TRUST in another person is so powerful.

And as the old saying goes, “You must earn my trust.”

Are you trustworthy?

It’s not easy!

And it’s really hard to keep your “cool’ when you’re upset about the topic at hand.

One of the consequences of getting “overheated” is that you may say something you regret and can never take back.

Words can really hurt and remain in the other person’s memory for a lifetime.

Another valuable approach in the midst of an argument is active listening.

As a society, we definitely do not listen enough.

When you are pressing your point of view, try to use facts to back it up.

Facts can be a powerful persuader.

In any event, your primary objective must be to not fracture the relationship to the extent that it has become irretrievable.

Keep your cool!

If not today, when?

They say the happiest day is when you buy a boat and an equally happy day is when you sell the boat.

I’m selling my boat today and am unhappy about never seeing her again.

We went by the Statue Of Liberty, past a bustling downtown New York.

And we continued up the Hudson River, past west Point on a two day trip to Albany.

It was a mighty boat with 1100 HP Detroit Diesel engines weighing 27 tons with 3 bedroom and 3 bathrooms.

It took a delicate touch getting it in and out of boat slips because of its size.

It is 53 feet long and 12 feet wide with a flying bridge that has duplicate controls.

As you grow older, there are things and habits you must leave behind.

This is one of those things!

Norman Lear is 99 and continues to work.

We know the key to physical health is to keep moving.

When you work, you exercise your body and your brain.

The great irony is that there are employment openings everywhere.

It seems that every company is trying to remain open with a short staff.

You may not have the physical energy of a younger person.

But, you possess knowledge, experience and wisdom.

And those qualities make you a valuable employee.

So, if you are retired or will be retiring soon, you should investigate other opportunities after you leave your present position.

I hate to say it, but many retirees die shortly after retirement because of inactivity.

Plan to work as an option in retirement.

If not today, when?

It’s that time of year when grads have a big party and then march forward to the unknown.

It is a notable passing from one life to the next.

For those who failed to graduate from high school, life becomes much more difficult with few options.

For those who graduated from high school, but didn’t get accepted by a university, there are still alternatives.

Of course, the most joyous grad party is celebrated for a recent high .school graduate who has been accepted by a university.

For most students entering a university for the first time, it is their first experience living away from home.

So, there are many necessary adjustments to be made in order to successfully adapt to college life.

Some succeed. Some don’t.

But, for today, it’s time to enjoy the party!

Not going to college and don’t know what to do?

The entrance exams are more difficult than before, but it’s worth a try to see if you qualify.

Serve your country.

Become a part of something larger than yourself.

See the world at Uncle Sam’s expense.

Grow up and become more mature in the military.

You’ll always be proud of yourself because you served your country.

People still thank me for my service in the United States Navy even though it was 50 years ago during the Vietnam war.

You will learn skills that will serve you well later on in civilian life.

If not today, when?

We probably deal with some form of frustration every day.

If you are dealing with numerous frustrations in a single day, they can really add up.

One thing you can’t do is allow a tough day to knock you off your feet.

Equilibrium is your goal no matter what.

One good idea is to direct your attention to those around you because they may be struggling with their day too.

Thinking about yourself and your troubles is not the way to get out of a funk.

You are the captain of your destiny.

Act like it!

If not today, when?

We just returned from a trip to Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.

The high point was Yellowstone National Park with all its wonders.

Its incredible Grand Canyon of Yellowstone National Park is worth the trip on its own.

We also spent a couple days in Jackson Hole Wyoming.

This picturesque little western town with a population of ten thousand is also a must see.

I think the feeling that I have is that I had a chance to go back to our beginning.

The wide open plains are breathtaking and cowboys are herding cattle like they always did.

The elegant snowcapped mountains are everywhere.

You must feel the immensity of the west sometime during your life.

If not today, when?