Life lessons through riddles

Sometimes the answer is in front of us
A tree doubled in height each year until it reached its maximum height over the course of ten years.
How many years did it take for the tree to reach half its maximum height?

The Importance of Meaning
Why are 2010 (loonies) dollar bills worth more than 2009 (loonies) dollar bills?

The Importance of Perspective
Brad stared through the dirty soot-smeared window on the 22nd floor of the office tower. Overcome with depression he slid the window open and jumped through it. He landed he was completely unhurt, not even a scratch. Outside the building it was a sheer drop to the ground. . Since there was nothing to cushion his fall or slow his descent, how could he have survived the fall?

ASS-U-ME
A black dog stands in the middle of an intersecton in a town painted black. None of the street lights are working due to a power failure caused by a storm. A car with two broken headlights drives towards the dog but turns in time to avoid hitting him. How could the driver have seen the dog in time?

A Lesson in Dynamics
You are on a ship, over the side hangs a rope ladder with half meter rungs. The tide rises a half meter per hour. At the end of five hours, how much of the ladder will remain above the water assuming that nine rungs were above the water when the tide began to rise?

Something to keep as an advisor, not a jailor.
I make you weak at the worst of all times. I keep you safe, I keep you fine. I make your hands sweat, and your heart grow cold, I visit the weak, but seldom the bold. What am I?

Something so powerful it can build us up or tear us down:
What can bring back the dead; make us cry, make us laugh, make us young; born in an instant yet lasts a life time?

COMMENTS WELCOME! ENJOY!

I will post the answers in a few days... email me if you can't sleep.

Your friend and Coach,
Bryce




THE ANSWERS:
1) 9-years - the tree DOUBLES in height every year. Therefore last year it would have been half the height (see it visually).
2) Because 2010 is 1 more than 2009 (think of it as the number of loonies/dollar bills and not the year).
3) Brad was a window washer and was looking at the window from the outside. When he opened it up and jump through he was jumping into the building.
4) It was day time.
5) Nine rungs. The ship rises with the tide.
6) Fear
7) Memories