I was riding into work today and thinking about all the possible topics I might dive into on Friday’s P&L Statement on The Patrick Lalley Show.

As you know, I spend a fair amount of time looking into politics and policy, from health care to international trade deals or the mayor’s race.

So I was ticking through the list of topics as I rode south toward the KSOO studios here in bustling southwest Sioux Falls. There was a nice northwest breeze pushing me gently through the streets, up from downtown through midtown, finally hitting the trail system at 41st Street and on to the station.

The sun was warm, but not too hot.

I spent the morning in great conversation about books and politics and world travel.

You’ll hear those interviews fed the show later in the day.

Then it struck me – it’s good to be alive.

Without getting too personal, it’s been a tumultuous year in my life personally.

The Independence Day weekend was a marker of sorts, which made take some stock.

We all go through trying times. Ups and downs. There are days where it all seems to be for naught. That no matter what you do, you can’t get ahead, you can’t solve whatever problem is facing you, there doesn’t seem to be a way through the fog.

That’s where I was in the last year. Everything in my life changed.

So it’s good to be alive.

Friday marked three full weeks as host of The Patrick Lalley Show.

The people here at 1140 KSOO and Results Radio have welcomed me beyond what I could have hoped. But work is only one element of our lives.

It’s important to remember how good life can be, when it seems otherwise.

This is a great city to live in.

  • Even when things seem bad in the public discourse, like decreasing sales tax revenue, it ain’t that bad. Things will be OK.
  • Even if you think the world is going to hell because of our current president, or the previous president, or the one before that, it’s better than most places.
  • Even if you think the existential crisis of climate change, or nuclear proliferation, doom the planet, you can’t let it take you down.
  • Life is – for all its faults – pretty good. This is the greatest period of human history, without question.

I’ll be downtown tonight for First Friday, watching music and taking it all in.

I’ll be back next week with plenty to be upset about.

But this weekend, just enjoy yourselves. It’s a beautiful day, in a wonderful place.

Be nice to each other. Smile. Love the people who love you.

Thanks for being here.

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