Merv Griffin died earlier this week. Many of us are feeling a strong sense of sadness at his passing. Although Merv is dead and has passed on to an even greater life, his spirit lives on in our memories and heart. It wasn't his talent, T.V. shows and hotel empire that made him so great it was his heart. He treated celebrities and fans alike...with warmth, kindness and enthusiasm. I watched Merv's show, took notes and applied what he offered in my everyday life. Being a chronic stutterer and painfully shy was like being shackled in the dungeon of my own mind. Following Merv's example helped set me free. Watching Merv's talk show and the shows of the other talk show greats including Johnny Carson and Dick Cavett gave me modeling and communication techniques that helped me to not only dissolve the paralyzing terror but brought me peace of mind, abundant friendships, and business success (all before the age of eighteen). In my eighteenth summer I magically found myself being...