Where will you retire when you retire? Most of you may not be concerned about this right now. You are young or middle-aged. My 'ed-vice' is to think about it now.

The following are some things I said a month ago at my father’s funeral. I hope this inspires and challenges you. 

For the last few weeks, I’ve been addressing how to have a healthy, forward-looking response to the problems people face. This week, I'd like to show a real-life story about a soldier in World War I who went through hell and found his way forward by writing a book for his son, and for many of us as well.

Let's start with a thought we can relate to. Here it is. The primary purpose of your pinky toe is to periodically check whether your furniture is still hard. I can sense some of you are groaning as you read this. You’re remembering when your toe confirmed your furniture is still hard. Am I right about that?

When people, circumstances, and attitudes are at their worst, why not be your best?

In Tim Hansel's book, You Gotta’ Keep Dancing, there is a life-lifting poem that has transformed my life when my life becomes frustrating and intense. It's called Did You Ever Doodle, Lord? I’ve used this short snippet before, but it’s worth reading again in times like these. 

Here's a story about a problem. The problem is a squirrel infestation. The community's churches tried to solve the problem. 

Have you ever considered that crises in our lives often stem from being in the wrong job or career, being in the wrong mental place, or being in the wrong group of people? Sometimes God is saying amid the crisis, "Hey, I love you, but now it's time to get you to the right spot, and that spot is not where you currently are." In other words, if at first, you don't succeed, then skydiving is not for you.