As some of you know, my mom has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. As I write this from her bedside in the hospital, our family is navigating a new bump in the road. Since the start of this journey back in August we have learned many new things about both medicine and personal growth. Our motto as become: “As soon as we think we know what will happen, something changes.” So our biggest lesson has been to live in the moment. We never know the next turn life will bring us. The key to happiness (and sanity) is to enjoy what is right in front of us. We have developed the practice of finding gratitude, especially in the most difficult moments, as a way of shifting our thoughts. Our main tool for happiness, our sense of humor, keeps us emotionally strong as we laugh at our silly missteps such as mixing up the words perineum and peritoneal (two very different places in the body) in a moment of fatigue. And we revel in the amusement it brought the doctor.

In our feature article, Happy All Day, Ben-Shahar tells us that the three personal habits to cultivate happiness include simplify, exercise and meditate. Of these three habits I am happy to report that I am back on the exercise wagon. Somewhere along this journey I fell off that wagon and had a hard time climbing back on. However, now that I am there I completely agree that it is essential to happiness. It allows everything – body, mind and spirit ­– to function more smoothly. The quagmire is that during particularly stressful times it can be harder to make the time for exercise. Yet, that is exactly when we need it most.

In this issue we celebrate men. In our Fitbody column you’ll find how yoga can help strong bodies, even bodybuilders. Find natural ways to prevent hair loss on page 36. Our Healthy Kids column shares the many ways that Dad matters. Keep man’s best friend safe and learn how to detect, prevent and treat heatstroke for your pets. This summer we bring you a special natural weight loss feature to support your healthy habits during these outdoor months. Be sure and call on our local experts to support your best summer yet.

Happy Father’s Day!

Kris Urquhart, Publisher