Folks,
Let me start by wishing you a Happy New Year and I hope everything you aspire to 
complete comes to fruition in 2016. The new year has become a symbol of a fresh start and a chance to assess, contemplate, decide and execute things that were not accomplished in the previous year. In other words, it is a “second chance” of sorts but the truth of the matter is that the only things that changes is the calendar if no actions are taken.
To make an assessment of ones life requires information, data and honesty because many of the things that have transpired during the past year may be good and bad. So is the story of life but the danger is watering down the “bad/negative” experiences and hyping the “good/positive” experiences.
Once you distinguish the two the next step is to contemplate. That means taking a step back and don’t let the refreshed memories taint or emotionally overwhelm your decision. This is crucial because you can avoid a rush to judgement by careful contemplation.
Now that you have assessed and contemplated you must decide which action to take. That means you will look at the next 365 days as a chance to change and fulfill whatever goals and aspirations you have set for your self. Easy but not simple.
The final and crucial part is taking action because everything else is worthless if it is merely a “resolution”. All actions must be realistic and plausible. There is no point in setting yourself up for failure. Actions must also be well thought out and incremental. That means some decisions will require baby steps while others will be leaps into the darkness. Understanding the difference between the two is vital.
Today I spent most of the chilly morning shopping for hidden vintage diamonds but it was not at a hipster den of the many “thrift stores”. Nothing wrong with them but I prefer the 
haunts of my childhood, the swap meet. Digging through what looks like a hoarders loot on display is time consuming but also enjoyable. I ran across a box of old tube radios and proceeded to negotiate the sale. After some bargaining I purchased radios in varying conditions. The guy told me, “take the whole box because I don’t want to load it back in the truck.”
A few other small items were in the box but an envelope caught my eye because it was dated November 25, 1945 with a 3 cent stamp that read “Win The War”. America and the world were at war and peoples lives were affected by it and time did not stop for no one. Many new years have passed since the envelope was mailed.
I am not the first or last person on this earth and with this new year a plethora of choices will be made but I must be careful to asses, contemplate, decide and execute for the new year and failing to do so means that the only thing that will change is the calendar.
Mr. M
Editor/Founder
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Episode 024 features someone I became acquainted with via social media and always considered a “friend” but upon meeting and spending the day with him I quickly realized he is a lifelong friend. Mr Abe who prefers to be called Toshi owns an amazing barber shop in Kawasaki, Japan and has been in the profession for 21 years! That’s way before the barber boom. We discuss life in Japan, trends, community and the international impact of American Barbering. It was such an honor to finally meet you my dear friend.
chaos. The great Norman Rockwell completed a series of four paintings for the Freedom Series. The other paintings are: Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, and Freedom from Fear. The paintings were a response to a speech given by President Roosevelt and traveled across the country to support the sales of war bonds. The Freedom From Want appeared on the Saturday Evening Post cover on March 6, 1943.