When he retired early at age 54 from his position as president and chief executive officer of Houston Methodist healthcare system, Larry Mathis wrote the book, The Mathis Maxims: Lessons in Leadership. It became a best seller in the healthcare industry and was frequently used to teach leadership of health care organizations. While he had planned his 27-year healthcare executive career carefully and in detail, he had not planned his retirement. This book is the story of that incredible quarter century of love, life, and travel that followed.

Wisdom distilled from a Quarter Century of Love, Life, and Travel

TRAVEL IS EDUCATION: When you roam the world as we have, you see the damnedest things. But everything, good and bad, is a learning experience. Travel is a unique and valuable education!

MONEY MATTERS: Of course, it does, but it matters differently and in important ways in retirement.

CAREER IMPACTS RETIREMENT: What you do professionally before your retirement will have a big impact on what your choices and opportunities are in your retirement years.

YOUR SPOUSE: Not only for a traveling companion but, more importantly, a life companion. If you find the right person in life, you will be blessed.

YOUR FAVORITE COUNTRY: In conversations with people we meet while traveling, I sometimes mention that we have been to more than 140 countries. Impressed, someone often asks "so what is your favorite country?" I always immediately respond "the United States of America." With all its flaws, which are basically human flaws, it is still a shining example of what a country can and should be. My favorite? You bet!

ATTITUDE: My attitude about my love, life and travel has been one of awe, humility, and enormous gratitude!