Thought For The Day - Challenge Yourself

" The measurement of a personality is not in conditions of comfort but in conditions of challenge."

Sept 11 - 2001 - Never Forget

Sept 11, 2001, My city New York and my country America was attacked. I took it personal as I believe many of us did. It changed me forever. I came back to New York City and visited Ground Zero that December and I felt the incredible loss and pain but also saw the strength and resilience of my fellow New Yorkers. Hard to believe it has been seven years ago......
I will never forget and hope we always remember....

Tribute to all the victims of 9/11

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video -# 2 Down in the River to Pray

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video -# 1 Paul Simon

Be World Class - Robin Shawma

Thought For The Day - Keep Learning - Keep Growing

"Keep Learning - Keep Growing"
JD
Watching my daughter standing excited outside her school this morning waiting for the gate to open I thought about my experience as a kid. I wasn't as excited about school when I was her age. It took some hard knocks some growing up and some changing before I gained my passion for learning that i am lucky to have passed on to her. So it's never too late to keep learning and keep growing.

Thought For The Day - Never Give Up

"Never Give Up"
Dr. Ben Carson

Hope is knowing your best days are still ahead of you. So never ever give up.

Thought For the Day - Hang with Winners

"Who you hang around and who you learn from will have a profound affect on your life."

Promotion - Paul Jackson - Production Designer

It's always good to promote the work of others who do great work. I highly recommend him.

If you are looking for a Production Designer for a feature film, commercial, music video etc check out Paul Jackson's web page


http://www.pauljacksondesign.com

Thought For the Day - Masterpiece

"Make Your Life a Masterpiece"
Anthony Robbins

Thought For the Day - Aim High

"Most people don't fail in life because they aim to high and miss, but because they aim too low and hit."
Les Brown

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - # 2 - A Man's World

James Brown & Pavorotti

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - # 1 - You Raise Me Up

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - # 2 - Lesson's Learned

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video - # 1 - Mercy

Duffy

Heaven and Earth

I gave my friend Cookie this cassette when she was very sick. She told me she played it all the time and it made her forget her pain and it made her feel like she was flying in the Heavens...........

It's been a long time since she passed on. She'll always be missed and I hope she is flying in the Heavens....

Goodbye My Friend - Cookie

Dedicated to Nilsa "Cookie"..... 1990

Your life was too short. I know you have a special place in heaven. There's a book that's entitled "The Five People You'll Meet in Heaven", Cookie will be one of them. I'll always remember her and what she taught me about appreciating life.



This is line I wrote for a performance called "Goodbye My Friend". I acted out the story of Cookie's life and mine in a play called "Real Life" and also performed it for runaways at Covenant House in Hollywood.

From the play, Cookie speaking to God....."What's with the harp music. Put on some salsa, this is heaven ain't it?......

Thought For the Day - Leadership

"Enlarging others makes you larger"
John C. Maxwell

Happy Birthday My Little / Big Angel Sofia

I still remember the day you were born and I held you in my arms in the hospital. My life changed for ever that day. It was the greatest thing that ever happened to me and it helped me grow, mature and step up in every way. You always tell me I am the greatest dad in the world and those words from you are my greatest success in life and I will always attempt to live up to those words. Every day I say thank you for having you as my daughter and I wish you a Happy Birthday and may all your dreams come true and always know I will always love you.

Thought For the Day - Get It Right

"Life is like a parachute jump, you got to get it right the first time"
Eleanor Roosevelt

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video's # 2 - Eminem - Lose Yourself

Sundays Eclectic Music Video - # 1 - Many Rivers to Cross

Jimmy Cliff

Back from Ireland

I just returned from another family reunion in Ireland. Excellent trip, fantastic country, great relatives, lots of craic (fun) but limited Internet service. So my blogs has been dark during those two weeks. I'm back and will be blogging about Leadership this week. Just finished reading "21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership" by John Maxwell on the plane ride to and from Ireland. I highly recommend this book.....

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video #2 - Falling Slowly

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video #1 - Carry You Home

Thought For the Day - Pain is Weakness Leaving the Body

I saw this slogan on a USMC T shirt on my shoot in Quantico, VA. Maybe a little extreme but it contains a truth especially in the area of fitness. Sometimes we allow minor pain or weakness to hold us back from pushing past it to achieve what we are capable of. Of course we should not ignore real pain or injuries but like the slogan " No Pain, No Gain" it points us in the direction of pushing beyond what we think we are capable of.

Thought For the Day - Give 100%, Get a 100%

This is a real simple one. You get back from life what you give. Give a 10% effort get a 10% return. Give a 100% effort get a 100% reward. Life rewards those who play full out.........

Thought For the Day - Be a Team Player

Everybody wants to ride in the wagon but no one wants to pull it..
Be a team player and pitch in and do whatever it takes. Life is a Team Sport.

Thought For the Day - A Goal with a Plan

"A goal without a plan is just a wish"
--Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Thought For the Day - Empowering Metaphors

What is the Metaphor for your life? Have you ever thought about it? Metaphors can be empowering or disempowering depending on the one you choose. If your metaphor is "Life sucks and then you die", chances are you have a pretty messed up life. I have adopted a few different metaphors for my life at different times to propel my self forward. My metaphor for life is summed up in my blog "The Glass is 3/4's Full". Looking at the world that way focuses my on the opportunities not the problems or challenges.
I look at my life as one of " Walking through New Doors' and " Turning Many Corners". I see the story of my life as either
a " Running Against the Wind" story or the image of the "Phoenix Rising out of the Flames." story combined with the music of "Against All Odds".
We are all the creators and story tellers of our own lives. I suggest you choose to create empowering metaphors and tell stories of victory not victimhood.

John Duffy

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2 - Linda Ronstadt

Blue Bayou

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1 - Phil Collins

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Inspiration - I Cannot Be Who I Am Not. I Can Only Be Who I Am

I've seen him on the 3rd St Promenade in Santa Monica painting and always watched him with amazement as he painted with his nose. Yesterday I was taking my daughter for a haircut and his paintings were for sale on a greeting cards. I bought a couple and read his story, went to his web site and share his story with you. He puts life in perspective and challenges us to rise up to the greatness that we have inside us. Enjoy his story, get inspired, buy his art, and create the masterpiece that is your life.......




Gille Legacy was born in Bathurst, NB, Canada.
He was the sixth of eleven children. Afflicted with
cerebral palsy since birth (his doctors performed
last rites at that time), Gille has no use of his
arms or legs.

What he does have is an incredibly talented nose.

When he was eight years old, Gille noticed some
paints and a coloring book a sister had left
open in his room. He scooted over to
the paints and started to dab his nose into
the various colors and onto the paper.
To his delight, he soon realized there
was red paint on his nose, and a
painting of a bird in the coloring book.

The artist inside Gille had emerged!

For over forty years, Gille has created beautiful
impressionistic paintings using the tip of that
very talented nose. He has painted with oils, acrylics
and water colors. He originally painted on canvas,
but the surface was too rough on his nose.
He now paints on ultra-smooth masonite surfaces
of various sizes. Smoooth.

Gille's work has gained international recognition.
He exhibited in 2004-2005 at the Heron Bay Gallery,
Shediac, Chemin du Monde (Acadie 400)
Nova Scotia, Moncton Public Library, St. John Arts Center
and the McCainGallery in Florenceville, Canada.

Gille was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow Award in
January, 2005, Rotary's highest honor, for his work
with school children.

Gille has also written and published four books
of poetry and short stories. They are all typed
on his computer. With his nose.

In mid-2005, Gille moved to Santa Monica with
his Muse and soon-to-be wife, Sandi. They established
the "Nose Boutique Gallery." It is open to visitors who
make advance reservations at gille@manwhopaints.com
Gille also demonstrates his nose painting skills and exhibits
his work on Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Contact Gille at his email address for the dates and times
of his appearances.

Gille and Sandi have given motivational presentations to
various groups and organizations, including schools in
Canada, and most recently, at the Coachella Valley
Rescue Mission in Indio, California

A great deal of artwork is made by hand.

Few are made by nose.

http://manwhopaints.com/

Saturday Story - Tom Hill's Eaglezine

One day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help."

A creative publicist was walking by him and stopped to observe that he only had a few coins in his hat. He dropped a few more coins in his hat and without asking for his permission took the sign, turned it around, and wrote another announcement. He placed the sign by his feet and left.

That afternoon the creative publicist returned by the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins. The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was him who had re-written his sign and he wanted to know what he wrote on it?

The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true, I just rewrote your sign differently."

He smiled and went on his way. The blind man never knew, but his new sign read: "TODAY IS SPRING AND I CANNOT SEE IT".

Change your strategy when something does not go your way and it will probably be for the best. Have faith that every change is best for our lives.
From Tom Hill's Eaglezine....

http://www.tomhillwebsite.com/

Thought For the Day - Leadership Is Influence

"He who thinks he leads, but has no followers, is only taking a walk". If you can't influence people then they will not follow you. And if people won't follow, then you are not a leader. That's the Law of Influence. No matter what anyone else may tell you, remember that leadership is influence - nothing more, nothing less.
John Maxwell

Thought For the Day - No Limitations

A 71 year old woman in Oregon showed us that the only limitations are the ones we set for ourself.

Kazuko Renes of Creswell decided she wasn't going to let her age or handicap get in the way of completing a lifelong dream of skydiving.

Renes lost her sight when she was in her 20s, and while her blindness used to discourage her, that's not the case anymore.

"I want to prove to everybody, handicapped people and old people, if you start thinking positively -- everything, you can do anything, even if a blind, handicapped forever," she said.

Renes jumped and made a perfect landing.

What are you capable of?

Thought For the day - Personal Development

Personal development challenges you to make decisions based on the person you seek to become. "The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get for it, but what they become by it."
John Ruskin, 1869.

Thought For the day - My Philosophy # 1 Daily Improvement (DI)

"Commit to Daily Improvement (DI)"

John Duffy

I have adopted the philosophy of Daily improvement (DI). I first started to apply it in my workouts. I track and monitor my workouts and challenge myself daily to increase the weight or repetitions every time I work out. I came up with the concept of DI as acronym for my internal "Drill Instructor". I also attempt to apply the philosophy of DI to all the key areas of my life:

1. Fitness/Health
2. Relationships/Family
3. Finances
4. Career
5. Contribution/Social involvement
6. Growth/Stretch/Improvement

Little Miracles

Today I am praying for a big miracle for someone very dear in my life.

Thought For The Day - Words Matter

Words matter. The words you use determine the way you feel. Call some condition a "disaster" and that will create a completely different emotional response that defining it as a "learning opportunity."

Every word creates a consequence (whether you realize it or not).

Do you speak like a victim? Is your daily language the Language of Blame. Do you suffer from the dreaded disease of victimitis excusitis? :)

Or do you speak like a Leader Without Title. Whose words inspire and energize and help people move from where they now are to where they've always dreamed of being?

Robin Sharma

Choose your words to empower yourself and others......

.

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2- Bob Marley

Books I'm Reading - July 12th 08 - Leadership

Just returned from filming a project with the U.S. Marines in Virginia. Spent a week observing the training of leaders in the context of the USMC officer's training program. I met some impressive leaders and some college student candidates committed to becoming leaders. My experience this week feeds into my passion for studying and improving my leadership skills.

I've been a student of leadership for the last fifteen years so I picked up another book on leadership on my return. The book,
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John Maxwell will make another contribution to my study of leadership

I"m also finishing up two other books on influence and leadership "Influencer" and "Predictably Irrational". I will be writing reviews of all three books in the next couple of weeks.

My takeway is to step up in life as a Leader and an Influencer and be a student of both,

Thought For The Day - Give Credit to Others

"Credit is infinitely divisible. Give it away every chance you get, and there's always plenty left for you"
Dr. Don Berwick

Thought For The Day - Commitment

"There can be no great results without great commitment."
Robin Shawma

Thought For The Day - Health is Wealth

Health is Wealth. Be Thankful to Have Your Health.
Lou Ferrigno

Thought For The Day - Hard Work

Hard works Pays Off in the Future, Laziness Pays Off Now, But the Size of the Payoff is Different.....

Thought For The Day - Power of Gratitude

"Learning to Be Thankful is the Greatest Secret of Success"
Charlie " Tremendous" Jones

Blessed - Can You Feel the Love

Yesterday I was packing for a week long trip to VA for a filming project. I walked out of the bedroom and when I walked back in my 10 year daughter was inside my luggage. She didn't want me to go and she cried and I tried to cheer her up. I took some pictures of her in my luggage and tried to make her laugh. It's never easy leaving even for a week. She cried again this morning when I left. She gave me a book to take with me to read to her on Ichat. She gave me a piece of gum to chew at the same moment she was chewing hers right after calling her from the plane. So she created a magical ritual to link us. I feel so blessed to be loved that much by her. I'll always try to live up to that love in her eyes and am so touched by the sensitivity she has. I am truly blessed and I know it.....

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2- Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Another selection from my daughter. I really like this.... Funny it reminds me of both Ireland and Hawaii two of my favorite places. What a journey my life has been.....Who would ever think a boy from the South Bronx would be listening to this.

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1 Wild Horses

Today selections are my daughters two favorite songs. She turned me on to them....

Books I'm Reading - July 5th 08

I just picked up two new books and started reading them. Both of them deal with similar subjects but from different vantage points. The books are:

Influencer

Predictably Irrational

I have been studying persuasion, influence, change, behavior, psychology, marketing and transformation for over 15 years and feel these books will expand my understanding on these topics. I will write reviews of them when I am finished and share my takeaways from them.

One sentance in "Influencer" is an immediate takeaway. Choose to be an Influencer in life. I would add that we all are unconcious Influencer to all family, friends, community etc but we need to step up and be conscious Influencer's and study how to be effective in this crucial area of our lives.....

Life Comes at You Fast

Today, three billion out of the world’s population of 5.5 billion people carry a mobile communications device.

Real American Stories

Check it Out.... Rediscover the greatness of America again.....

http://www.realamericanstories.com/

Freedom Baby!!!!!


And What Kind of World Do You Want


http://www.whatkindofworlddoyouwant.com/

Thought For The Day - Lead From The Front

I just got back from a location scout at the Marine's OCS Officer Candidate School in Quantico, VA. I am going to be headed back for a few weeks of filming there. We met some dynamic and inspirational leaders there and got to learn about their leadership training for their lieutenant candidates.

They stressed their 5 Pillars of Leadership
1. Mindset
2. Martial Spirit
3. Mental Agility
4. Physical Fitness
5. Tenets of Leadership

My take away lessons:

Lead From The Front
Be a Servant Leader
Lead By Example
Be Exemplary
Be Courageous
Be Ethical
Be Honorable
Be Noble
No Better friend, No Worse Enemy

The Marines provide an example of exemplary leadership in uniform and in life as they move into other careers.

Below is a video of boot camp graduation at San Diego Camp Pendelton. I was there last year as part of an educators workshop and we had a chance to film the training and graduation of the recruits as well as following the educators as they learned about the Marines. A special form of leadership to learn from this 4th of July

The video below is a posting from someone on YOUTUBE

Thought For The Day - A Classic... Seed of a Great Benefit

"Every adversity, every failure and every heartache carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit".
Napoleon Hill

Thought For The Day - Use Pain To Motivate Change

"Nothing changes until the pain of remaining the same is greater than the pain of changing.".

This principle is called getting leverage to make a change.

Thought For the Day - Be Like Tigger not Eyeore

The Last Lecture



A truly inspirational talk.

My take aways:

Be Like Tigger - Not Eyeore - Choose to Be Happy
Don't Whine
Be Humble
Choose to Go For Your Dreams
Make Lemonade out of Life's Lemons
Be a Role Model For Your Kids

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2- Sade

Smooth Operator

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1 - Thank You

Retro Time - Sly & The Family Stone

Thought For The Day - Take a Moment to Notice the Progress

In the US, since 1960, real per capita income has increased 143 percent, life expectancy has increased by seven years, infant mortality has declined 74 percent, deaths from heart disease have been halved, childhood leukemia has stopped being a death sentence, depression has become a treatable disease, air and water pollution have been drastically reduced, the number of women earning a bachelor's degree has more than doubled, the rate of homeownership has increased 10.2 percent, the size of the average American home has doubled, the percentage of homes with air conditioning has risen from 12 to 77, the portion of Americans who own shares of stock has quintupled.

Progress happens......

Thought For The Day - Create Magic Moments

Years ago I adopted the practice of creating Magic Moments for people in my lives. I've especially created many magic moments in the life of my daughter. Today's thought for the day is also a reminder for myself to step up this practice. I suggest you adopt it as well.....

Thought For The Day - Teach Entrepreneurship

"Kids ought to have two bicycles, one to ride and one to rent."
Jim Rohn

Thought For Day - IBD 10 Secrets to Success

Investor's Business Daily

1. How you Think is Everything
2. Decide Upon Your True Dreams and Goals
3. Take Action
4. Never Stop learning
5. Be persistent and Work Hard
6. Learn to Analyze Details
7. Focus Your Time and Money
8. Don't Be Afraid to Innovate, Be Different
9. Deal and Communicate with People Effectively
10. Be Honest and Dependable, Take Responsibility

Thought For The Day - Financial Independence

"...if no changes were necessary for you to achieve financial independence, you'd already be there."
— John Cummuta

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2- I Will Get There

Sunday's Eclectic Music Video #1 - Amy Grant

Life Comes at You Fast

According to last week’s New York Times, the world has 1.4 billion plugged-in internet users and that number is growing by 250million a year. There are three billion mobile phones in the world with another billion coming in the next three years.

Ten hours of video are being uploaded on YouTube every minute of every day.

Now more than ever you have to keep up with the changes..... Technology and entrepreneurs are changing the world. We are more connected than ever.

A Story To Share - Pass It On

I received this and I'm passing it on....

THE STORY OF CARING AND LIFE

It will take just 37 seconds to read this and change your thinking.

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window.

The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite details, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene .

One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade passing by.

Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind s eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days, weeks and months passed.

One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep.

She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside.

He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window.

The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, ’Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.’

Epilogue:

There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can’t buy.

’Today is a gift, that is why it is called The Present.’

Thought For The Day -The Curve is Always Going Up

"Life is full of peaks and valleys but the thing to remember is the curve is always going up."

Dr Thomas Frist Sr

Thought For The Day - Do Good Not look Good

The Goal is to Do Good, Not Just Look or Feel Good. It's Action and Results. It's not about how you feel or how you look.....

Thought For The Day - Why We Resist Personal Change

One of the reasons we resist change,unconsciously at least, is that it invalidates years of earlier behaviour.

Alan Deutschman

Thought For The Day - Road to Wealth

"Rich people start off as poor people. The
difference is they take the nickels and dimes and
they invest it — they didn’t spend it all at the mall."

— Ric Edelman: author of "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Wealth," financial guru.

Thought For The Day - Create an Extraordinary Life

A mentor in my life - Anthony Robbins

Father's Day - In Honor of My Dad

In 1928 he traveled from Cookstown, Northern Ireland to Ellis Island, New York City. It was a six week boat ride. He worked as a butcher in a meat plant "Plymouth Rock" in the South Bronx. He became a US citizen and in 1942 joined the US Army and left for the Philippines to serve in WW II. He married my mother weeks before leaving. He returned to the US in 1946 and went back to work in the meat plant. Ten years later he died of Pneumonia. I didn't get to know him well but I know this; he was brave enough to come to America to make a better life for himself, he was brave enough to choose to join the Army and serve, I know he was a hard working man and I know he gave me a better life.

So I honor him this Father's Day and remember him. Thanks Pops.......

Father's Day - Books Worth Reading as a Parent

Here are two books that I found useful. The first one" Going Places" I read with my daughter every night for bedtime when she was younger. We would read one story every night. The subtitle of the book " How America's Best and Brightest Got Started Down the Road of Life" sums it up.



The second book "Strong Father's, Strong Daughters" is a reminder of the responsibilities of fatherhood. I recommend reading both books.

Father's Day - Dad's Teach Lessons

Man up, it's Father's Day

Today my family will celebrate Father's Day and treat me a little special. And I say thanks. It's also a day for me to think about what it means to be a father. I only had my dad for the first four years of my life. He died young so I really never got to know him. This year I got a special gift when I traveled to Ireland and walked in the rundown house my dad lived in as a youth in Cookstown, Northern Ireland. I felt I finally reconnected with him. It was a very special experience.

Losing my father at the age of four left an impression in my life that created a fear of fatherhood in me. So when a little over ten years ago when my daughter was born my life changed in ways I could never expect. It was the greatest thing that ever happened. I made a commitment to myself to be the best dad I could be and I believe I've walked my talk in this area. Being a excellent parent and dad has been one of the greatest success's in my life.

So on this Father's Day I feel grateful to be blessed with a great wife and a fantastic daughter and look forward to all the continuing magic moments in our life. I feel grateful that I have been lucky enough and made the right decisions to be there for all the significant moments in my daughters life.

This Father's Day we lost a great journalist Tim Russert who wrote a great book about his dad. One thing that stands out from an interview with Tim Russert is him saying "Dad's teach lessons". He told a story about his dad saying "put your worries in this little book and we'll come back and look at in two weeks and when they did the worries weren't significant anymore".

So I approach parenthood and being a dad by looking forward and thinking about what lessons am I teaching my daughter to help her grow into the woman she will become, what lessons am i teaching her on becoming a parent, what lessons am i teaching her by my actions not just my words? Hopefully I will role model what a man, a dad, a partner, a husband, a parent should be.

I would like to share with my daughter on this Father's Day my feelings and beliefs; love learning, be honest, be strong, be responsible, take risks, shoot for the stars, strive for greatness, laugh often, be compassionate, be grateful, be a leader, make a difference, don't be a complainer or whiner, be a contributor, give a 100%, be a giver not a taker, never quit, be happy, stand on my shoulders and make it to the next level and let her know that I always will love her...........


Read Tim Russert's Book.....

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2- Father's Day

Paul Simon - Father and Daughter

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1- Father's Day

Luther Vandross - Dance with My Father Again

Tim Russert - Rest In Peace

"In a profession that has become tarnished by partisanship and cheap shots, Tim Russert stood apart. He was fair to all sides, did his homework, reported honestly, and was always a gentleman"
Ronald Kessler

Thought For Day - Sing Your Song - Live Your Life

Robin Sharma

Congratulations Sofia

I celebrate your successful completion of another year of school and another milestone in your life. Keep up the great work. Keep your great spirit, your curiosity, your creativity, your passion and especially your laughter. Success awaits you in everything you do. You start out everyday a 10 and finish it as a 10. I am so proud of you.

All my love,

Dad

Thought For The Day - Dare To Dream

“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” —Teddy Roosevelt


http://www.successmagazine.com/article?articleId=123&taxonomyId=211

Thought for the Day - Know When To Hold Them

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
--Randy Pausch

Thought for the Day - Breakthru Your Limitations

MAUREEN Armstrong stood out among the sea of women who thronged the streets of the capital yesterday.

At 83 years of age, the mother-of-seven and grandmother of 21 children was among the oldest, if not the oldest, of more than 40,000 women who took part in the charity run through Dublin city centre.
While most of her younger counterparts sprinted as fast as they could to raise an estimated €15m for charity, Maureen walked the route at a relatively brisk pace after dozens of red balloons floated into the sunny blue sky at precisely 3pm, signalling the start of the 10km race.

It was the 14th time that Maureen, from Thurles, Tipperary, has taken part in the marathon. And the determined pensioner has vowed it won't be her last.

"I enjoyed every bit of it," she said at the finish line yesterday, where she was given a hero's welcome by a group of supporters from Thurles who came up for the day to cheer her on.
"It was brilliant. It was great all together and I'm delighted to be the oldest one," she told the Irish Independent.
Maureen said her key to success is "just a walk, nice and easy" as she says her daily prayers.
And she has no plans of slowing down any time soon.
"I'll keep going as long as I can. I'm ever-ready, I'm not a bit tired," she said with a smile.

- Allison Bray- Independent .IE

Thought for the Day - TGIM

Thank God It's Monday
JD

Remember when it was TGIF? Well if you don't feel TGIM then you don't love what you do and you need to make a change.

Success Magazine Interview - Paul Zane Pilzer

I just listened to an excellent interview with Paul Zane Pilzer ( an economist, entrepreneur, college professor and the author of seven best selling books), on the CD that comes with Success Magazine. A couple of points he made stand out, he predicted that in the next ten years 10 million new millionaires will be created in America. The latest research states that:"according to this 2005 article from MarketWatch, 8.9% of Americans are millionaires. That translates to roughly 2.6 million people.". His thinking on this is developed in his book "The Next Millionaires".

He also addressed the nature or nurture argument in achieving personal success and puts forward the idea that it is 10% nature,10% nurture and 80% the choices you make it life. I think that is a dead on observation.

Check out the latest "Success Magazine" and his book.

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2- It's a Beautiful Life

Ace of Base

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1- Inspirational

Whitney Houston

Economic Optimism - Big Picture

Just like in our personal lives it is important to keep perspective during the difficult patches. Regarding the economy it's important to look at the long term trends to see both the present economic reality and to see the future possibilities for world economic growth.

Below are just some examples of the significant growth of different countries economies over time. So while any snapshot in time may be less optimistic the overall trend remains positive and supports a point of view of optimism for the growth of wealth in the world.

Russia
Russia's economy grew nearly five-fold, from about 7 trillion rubles in 2000 to almost 33 trillion rubles in the last eight years. The country is basking in a boom fuelled by high oil and natural gas prices

Ireland
When Ireland first joined the EU in 1973, per capita GDP stood at just 63% of the EU average. By 2002, the nation had made such huge strides that it actually ranked among the richest countries in the EU, sporting a GDP of about 120% of the EU average.

United States
In the 20th century, the real standard of living in the United States went up seven for one.

Eastern Europe
On May 1, 2004 European re-unification became a reality when 10 countries in all, 8 from central and eastern Europe, joined the European Union (EU). Latvia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Hungary and Lithuania all formally joined the EU on that date. On top of this, two additional members, Romania and Bulgaria, are scheduled to join the Union in May, 2007.
On average, the new Member States posted GDP growth of +3.7% in 2003, a whopping ten times the pace logged for the rest of the EU. In some smaller countries that have seen particularly high foreign investment, the growth rate is even higher.

India
It is one of the fastest growing economy in the world. Indian Economy experienced a GDP growth of 9.0 percent during 2005-06 to 9.4 percent during 2006-07. By 2025 the India's economy is projected to be about 60 per cent the size of the US economy. The transformation into a tri-polar economy will be complete by 2035, with the Indian economy only a little smaller than the US economy but larger than that of Western Europe. By 2035, India is likely to be a larger growth driver than the six largest countries in the EU, though its impact will be a little over half that of the US.
India, which is now the fourth largest economy in terms of purchasing power parity, will overtake Japan and become third major economic power within 10 years.

Books I'm Reading - June 08

I'm working my way through two books right now. One I read before and I'm rereading it .

Rule # 1 - Phil Town

Good in a Room - Stephanie Palmer

The first is about investing and the second is about selling your ideas, projects. and products. So far I'm enjoying and learning new ideas from both books. Reviews will follow.

Thought for the Day - Be Unstoppable

Create an Unstoppable Mindset and Spirit

Thought for the Day - Power of the Human Spirit

I received this from my cousin Sharon

When we change the way we see the world, we change the world.”

That was the message at the heart of Warren MacDonald’s inspirational presentation at the Esplanade last night.

There are few who understand the powers of perception and positive attitude more than MacDonald. In 1997, MacDonald was climbing Mount Bowen on Australia’s Hinchinbrook Island when a massive slab of rock sheared off the side of the mountain, pinning him beneath it. For two days, he lay trapped under that rock while his climbing partner — a man he had only known for a day — hiked out to get help.

“I knew I was staring down the barrel of my ultimate test,” recalled MacDonald. While he had always enjoyed pushing the limits of his comfort zone through travel and adventure, MacDonald had no idea just how far he would have to push his limits in the months ahead.

While he was eventually rescued off the mountain, MacDonald had to have both his legs amputated above the knee to save his life. He recounted to the Esplanade audience the gut-wrenching feeling he had as the doctor told him the news.

“I cried myself to sleep and woke up the next day to a whole new world,” MacDonald said.

But even though MacDonald’s life changed in that moment, he refused to accept defeat. He began an intensive course of rehabilitation, and before long he was swimming again. He graduated from swimming to hiking in his wheelchair and 10 months after his accident, he climbed Australia’s Cradle Mountain. In 2003, six years after his accident, MacDonald became the first double amputee to climb Africa’s tallest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro.

As an image of himself standing on a mountain peak flashed before the audience, MacDonald said he is still amazed by what humans are capable of when they set their mind to it.

“It absolutely blows me away that someone could go through something like that (his accident), and 10 months later be in a position like that,” he said.

He added if you wait until you have 100 per cent confidence in your ability to do something, you’ll never do it.

“I go by the 70 per cent rule — by the time you’re 70 per cent certain of something, start moving, because it’s only when you start moving that the other 30 per cent falls into place,” he said.

From Med Hat news
http://www.mdhnews.com

Thought for the Day - Do What You Love

"Doing something I really loved served my career more than anything else, except for my wife and family"

Stephen J Cannell - Writer / Producer

I couldn't agree more. I had the pleasure of working with Stephen on two films and he's truly a great guy who walks his talk.

Thought for the Day - Be Grateful

Sunday I took a walk on Venice Beach and stopped and took some time to appreciate the beauty of the ocean. I feel grateful to be here. I remember many years ago when I visited the Santa Monica Pier. It was cold January back in my hometown of New York and everyone was lying on the beach. I made a decision in that moment that I would live here. A few years later I moved to California. I feel grateful for that decision and all that has expanded in my life. I try to make the time every day to say thanks for all the blessings in my life. I find it to be a very helpful ritual.....

Big Ideas - Futurist Ray Kurzweil - # 2

Singularity Summit - Artificial Intelligence

Thought for the Day - Life's Not a Fairy Tale

Expect the Best but Prepare For the Worst.

Robin Sharma

Im my line of work I always expect the best and aim for it but I always have a plan B, C, D and many more. Life rarely goes as planned so we need to be flexible and be prepared to shift gears on a dime.

Welcome to The Future # 2 - Avatars For Web Marketing

Here is another cutting edge tool for your web site, marketing and...

http://walkontechnologies.com/

Welcome to The Future - Holographic Technology

Amazing new emerging technologies. Check this out......

Cisco On-Stage TelePresence Holographic Video Conferencing
World’s first Live Holographic Video Feed from California, USA to Bangalore, India

http://www.musion.co.uk/Cisco_TelePresence.html

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 2 - Jimi Hendrix

A Jimi Hendrix Sunday

This one is for you Paul J....

Sunday's Eclectic Music Videos # 1- French - Isabelle Boulay - Je t'oublierai