As Andy sat around the dinner table with Aunt Bee and Barney, his son Opie amused him with stories about a new friend, a magical man by the name of Mr. McBeevee. This amazing character walked in the treetops, had a shiny metal hat, and made a jingling sound as he walked. At first the family laughed at this imaginary friend but his Pa became worried as his stories grew more outrageous. After one evening of McBeevee stories, Barney and Aunt Bee confronted Andy and convinced him that he needed to put an end to the nonsense. Andy threatened Opie with a whippin’ unless he declared that Mr. McBeevee was a work of fiction. Opie would not and was willing to accept the punishment. “I ain’t lyin’, Pa, promise,” Opie told his father.

Andy retreated downstairs and stared into space. “Did you punish him?” Aunt Bee asks. “No,” Andy quietly said. Barney was shocked at Andy’s failure to act, “Don’t tell me you believe in Mr. McBeevee!” “No,” Andy replied. “But I do believe in Opie.”

Andy’s trust in Opie was rewarded the next day, when he meets Mr. McBeevee, who turns out to be a hard-hatted telephone lineman with a belt full of jingling tools. Sometimes you have to toss all logic aside and let your heart declare the truth.

Frank was an excellent employee for many years, but began having attendance problems. He would arrive late several times a week, sometimes calling in sick (he was always "just feeling a bit under the weather".) Warnings and counseling attempts would only have a temporary effect; after a few weeks the problem would return. I eventually fired him.

Frank's wife came to see me the next day, dragging Frank beside her. "Tell him!" she demanded. "Tell him your problem." Frank hesitated and then blurted it out. He was an alcoholic. He wanted his job back and wanted help.

I was under no legal obligation to do that. Also, all company rules had been followed, proper warning had been given, and all the right people had signed off on the termination. I had made the right decision and there was no legal or logical reason to reverse myself. But I did anyway. I chose to follow my heart. I had the power to change the man's life as well as retain an employee who could once again be a valuable company asset. Frank returned to employment, successfully fought his alcoholism, and became a symbol of hope for other employees with addictions.