When hard times come, will you be ready? What will you and your loved ones do when you must face a famine, a natural disaster or a war?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average American moves 11.7 times during his or her lifetime. Yet although we are a mobile nation, we quickly become comfortable in our places and patterns of living.

Devastation! Wide areas of the beautiful hills and valleys of Southern California are now covered with the charred remains of once beautiful homes. And open areas are scorched and blackened by wildfires that ripped through the tinder-dry brush, fanned by Santa Ana winds that are so prevalent this time of year.

The incredible destruction and the resulting heartache and anguish over the loss of precious possessions experienced by the residents of this once beautiful area, moves all of us with compassion and sympathy for their plight.

There are eight little words, in four simple phrases, that can help solve most of the interpersonal problems we encounter every day. They can end arguments, settle disputes and even bring peace. Sadly, most people are too proud to use them as often as they should, and they suffer from strife and turmoil as a result.

It is interesting to see the various personalities emerge under intense questioning and pressure from their peers. Sadly, we seem to have a dearth of strong leaders, men and women with a long track record of accomplishment and good ideas for dealing with the problems of our nation and the world; leaders with a consistent set of values and moral credibility. Certainly, the nation cries out for leadership as we deal with problems of national security, the economy, health care, a spiraling crime rate, etc.