Mark Neese, owner of True North Counseling, poses for a photo against a brick wall.

Don’t Monetize Your Life | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E11

Many years ago, in a galaxy far, far away, I was a young Southern Baptist Minister. I pastored two churches, one in Eastern New Mexico, and one in West Texas. The first was a very small church in the middle of peanut fields and the second was in the heart of west-Texas oil country. It...

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Mark Neese of True North Counseling stops for a photo while hiking the Grand Canyon.

Simplicity is Not the Key to Happiness | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E10

There are 5 common mistakes that rookie-backpackers make in their early years. First, they lack physical conditioning. I have a backpack with 40 lbs. of cat-litter in the back of my Jeep. I strap it on and I do hill repeats once a week. Second, they forget an important piece of equipment. My first backpacking...

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Photo of Mark Neese when he was a young Airman stationed at Rickenbaker Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio. He was a Dog Handler tasked with guarding KC 135’s and poses with in uniform with his dog by his side.

Good Fortune and Six Flags over Texas | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E9

I was struck by lightning once. Well, almost. I was a 20-year-old Airman stationed at Rickenbaker Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio. I was a Dog Handler tasked with guarding KC 135’s. Central Ohio, like much of the Midwest, can have some hellacious thunderstorms. During one stormy night, another Dog Handler and I were walking the...

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Photo of Mark Neese and the rest of the men from his time in Military basic training.

Those Who Cannot Remember the Past | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E8

I remember my first day of basic training. I remember learning how to tie my shoes. I remember being driven to kindergarten in the pouring rain by Pammy’s mom and saying, “Look at all that piss.” I remember walking across the stage and getting my Master’s in Social Work. I remember holding my mother’s hand...

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Mark Neese and his wife visiting Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky.

The Fountain of Youthfulness | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E7

“In advertising, sex sells, but only if you’re selling sex,” wrote Jef I. Richards, a professor of advertising at Michigan State University in 1998. But that was not the first mention of using sex in advertising. In 1871, Pearl Tobacco featured a naked maiden on its packaging. I think there are many advertising agencies that...

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A print by artist, Kathy Sullivan of a winged woman, possibly an angel, carrying a banner that says, "You Can Choose Joy."

Happiness is a Choice | Healthy Aging Series: S12 E6

Disappointment Doesn’t Always Lead to Disaster My son and I were backpacking in Canyonlands National Park this past month. I was probably carrying 70 pounds in my pack due to the extra water and camera equipment. I’m sure he was carrying about the same weight. Our plan was to backpack 1 1/2 miles to the first...

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