MSI Press Blog

  For young men coming of age in the 1960s, the Vietnam War wasn’t a distant headline. It was a countdown clock. It shaped their choices, their friendships, their sense of safety, and the very architecture of adulthood. Whether they served, resisted, or found themselves somewhere in between, the war pressed itself into the grain of their lives. A Generation Raised on One Promise, Delivered Another These were boys raised on the mythology of World War II—clear enemies, clear victories, clear heroes. Their fathers came home to parades and mortgages. Their teachers told them America always fought for freedom. Their churches prayed for the nation’s righteousness. Then Vietnam arrived with no such clarity. Suddenly, the same institutions that had shaped their moral compass were asking them to fight a war that many couldn’t explain, justify, or even locate on a map. The Draft: A Sorting Hat With Consequences The draft didn’t just send men to war—it sorted them by class, race, geogra...

  Mindfulness isn’t about sitting on a cushion or trying to empty your mind. At its core, it’s the practice of paying attention to your life as it’s happening—your thoughts, your breath, your sensations, your reactions—without immediately judging or resisting them. That simple shift, practiced over time, has profound effects on how we age. Chronic stress is one of the most powerful accelerators of aging. It raises cortisol, inflames the body, disrupts sleep, and wears down the immune system. Mindfulness interrupts that cycle. When you learn to notice stress as it arises, instead of being swept away by it, your nervous system recalibrates. Cortisol drops. Muscles unclench. The body stops bracing for impact. Over months and years, that reduction in physiological wear and tear becomes a form of protection—one that shows up in better cardiovascular health, steadier blood pressure, and a calmer baseline. Mindfulness also strengthens emotional resilience, which becomes increasingly impo...

  RV life promises freedom, adventure, and the open sky. But sometimes that sky turns dark—and fast. Whether you’re parked in a desert campground or cruising through mountain passes, storms are part of the deal. The question isn’t if you’ll face bad weather. It’s how you’ll handle it. Before the Storm: Preparation Is Survival Experienced RVers know that storm safety starts long before the clouds roll in. Check the forecast—everywhere. Don’t just look at your destination. Scan your entire route, especially elevation changes and regional hazards like flash floods or tornado zones. Prep your rig. Inspect tires, wipers, seals, and roof vents. Secure slide-outs and awnings. Keep your fuel tank full and your emergency kit stocked. Know your thresholds. If winds exceed 40 mph, it’s time to pull over. If gusts hit 60+, evacuate the RV and find shelter in a sturdy building. When the Storm Hits: Adapt and Act Storms don’t wait for you to be ready. RVers learn to read the signs ...