Publisher’s Letter: May 2018

Happy Mother’s Day! It is one of my favorite days to celebrate, and my appreciation for it deepens each year as my wife, Hayley, grows more and more into a woman and a mother. She amazes me.

As it stands, the first two weeks are pretty big for us. After dating in high school, Hayley and I spent 13 years apart. We reunited in person on May 2, 2009. We got married on May 5, 2012. Her birthday is May 6. And then of course, there is Mother’s Day — this year on May 13. I’m probably pretty busy right now. But it is a good busy.
Actually, I stay pretty busy most of the time. From nonprofit work, producing events, trying to keep up with the rehabilitation of the Atascadero Printery building, and anything else I can possibly say yes too … admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery.
Part of my passion for community service comes honor for veterans and those who lost their lives in service for our country. As someone who did not serve in the armed forces, I’m obligated by duty to make the best of the freedom I enjoy — to do more than just enjoy it. If this way of life was worth fighting and dying for, my small sacrifice of time and energy to help make my community a better place is not too much to ask.
Actually, all my best friends and mentors are those I met through service. The more you give, the more you recieve — for me, that is less about material possessions and dreams as it is about service to our fellow humans.
I hope that you are a part of a charity or nonprofit that needs your support. If not, find one! There are so many around, you are a hot commodity.
Here’s a secret: Don’t sell yourself short. You are more valuable than you probably know. Just show up and offer to help — you’ll be surprised. So, look up three nonprofits and just show up to a meeting. You don’t need to be a professional at something … just be willing.
Another secret: You’ll probably be asked to do more than you bargained for — and that can be a bad thing. Be honest with yourself, but don’t be shy. Take on challenges offered, but ask for help and know when to say ‘No.’
So, take time to honor a veteran by serving your local community with some of your freedom, and make the world a better place.