I live nearby where the shootings took place this weekend in North Carolina.  That's rare here and in fact I live in a small town near Raleigh which is actually been declared to be one of the safest places in America.  How do you think that happened, and can we sell it or export it to others.  And so far they have not released the name of the shooter or any real description or motive.  It appears another young boy has become a mass killer.  

With your permission may I share a few thoughts about the state of our mental health and what we may need to do to be better in what is increasingly a sick sick world.  And I would love to hear your thoughts about the state of our mental well-being here on planet earth.

 Yes that's what just about happened.  Those who were living and we're of age certainly remember that time 60 years ago. It was 60 years ago right now.  But for most it is simply a story in the history books that is mentioned from time to time.  And with the present Ukraine Russian war it is remembered because of how dangerous a time it was.

But for a man who was right in the middle of it it was more than just a worrisome time, he knew what was happening because he was involved in getting ready for what was possible to be a nuclear war and with a Russian invasion of the Florida Peninsula.  

And being right in the middle of it and knowing what was happening and label to happen next he can tell you the story of how we came so very close to where it could've been a humanity ending conflict.

So join me as my friend Jim McKay shares with you his personal story of his involvement in the crisis that almost brought an end to humanity as we know it.  

Stan Hustad

Much of our pain and many of our problems comes from what happened to us in the past and the memories that we carry with us.  All of us bear scars and wounds from things that happened to us and from what others have done to us.  

Cowboy Pastor Randy Helm knows that all too well and he has helped hundreds of horses and many people recover from deep pain and injury from things that I've done been done to them in the past. 

And in doing so he learned that almost everyone of us have a lot to learn from horses.  Indeed in his wonderful book Lessons from Horses he demonstrates how many life lessons can be learned from those wonderful animals that the cowboys ride and people love. 

So let me read you a wonderful story about a horse named Phoenix who literally rose from the ashes of abuse to a life of wonder... And if he can do it so can you.

He looked her straight in the eye and that's what he said, don't you know that fear kills everything, don't think that way. That is one of the great truths of human existence.  Think about what you might do or try to do if you did not fear failing.  How many people are stuck in relationships in jobs and then situations where they are just so afraid that if they made a move or made a change they would be broke and poverty stricken?

Do I have all of the answers so that you would never have to be afraid again.  Of Course Not. Fear and deep fear is a part of the human condition and in this brief 20 minutes I'd like to introduce you to what began to help me not be so afraid to at least fear less ... And who knows someday I might even be fearless! 

So I think I can help you get started in that direction. Because I've lived it and in many ways have to live with it every day.

I have done a lot of different things in my life I've had lots of experiences. And even though I am supposedly well educated I've discovered that many times experiences are far more important than any so-called education.  And I've learned that for the most part but if someone proclaims themselves as an expert. Be careful. 

But for some reason the other day I was reminded of working the night shift and that led my random mind in a whole bunch of different directions and some stories that I remembered that I had almost forgotten.

So give me a few minutes and I think you and I can learn something from each other as we talk about working the night shift.

 Welcome to Monday evening. I trust your day went well.  But we live in challenging times and in many ways we always have.  In fact 60 years ago exactly we were caught up in what we thought might've been the end of the world.  The United States and Russia we're on the brink of what could've been a nuclear holocaust.  So I will introduce you to a friend who is there and get ready for his story later in the week. 

And could anxiety and insecurity be a good thing?  Maybe so, and maybe we will go there this week.

And yes we're going to talk about the title ... Indeed growing old is not for sissies and with a smile we can say, and we weren't always old sick and poor.  I think you'll enjoy the story.

As I start the new year yesterday on the program I talked about the prosperity of our soul that I wish for all of us. And in the same book of the Bible that I took that idea from there's another idea and it is what I call the big H word. End it is vital that you have a CHO and let me tell you the story of how we started to create that in many businesses. I would love to hear your story of hospitality.

Well yesterday in our program celebrating the Yom Kippur, the Days of Awe coming to an end, and now how do we start thinking differently this year.  And will we give time to not just talking about thinking about our our body in business, but pay attention to our spirit and some of the more important business that's about us, like being more human, humane, in touch with reality. 

So in a lighthearted way but with some deepness to it may I encourage you to think about the POS that you might want to be or possess.  If you give me 12 minutes let me tell you about two very important elements for your life and business success this year. And the first is to make sure that you are wishing others and seeking for yourself POS.

This is truly the start of 2023 and it's time for us to be more thoughtful and have greater courage to seek to grow up, to get a really good at what we do, and embrace the mystery of all things. There is so much about life in the world that we don't know and we need to be OK with that, and be humble.

Then we are called to enjoy our forgiveness to share the awesomeness of amazing race with others, and then to remember that life is all about at its best, when we do Mercy Mercy Mercy. Well I hope is a little bit of a life-changing story for the new year that is ahead. Stan

We've all heard the expression or at least most of us have, your swan song.  Well there is a legend behind that expression that may or may not be true. And of course the story of the beauty of the autumn leaves is the truth that we all can see every day in the falling season. 

Some years ago a philosopher of the modern day pointed out that the man or the woman who wants to live well, will take time, and the start of a new year is a good time to do that, to gather evidence about their own situation, the evidence that has come to them through their living, and then ask the question, going forward from this day how shall we live, how shall we do our work, who are we called to serve, and what is it all about.

So as we bring our Days of Awe to an end, please allow me to do some self reflection about those questions. And perhaps you may find the whole thing helpful to you too.