Thursday, December 30, 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

As 2010 comes to an end (thankfully), we all have some experiences I am certain we would like to throw in a basket and toss out like the garbage, just as the ball drops in Times Square.

Well, let's do just that!!!

Toss them out to the curb today!!!

Take all the negative experiences and events that occurred in 2010, or even prior, and wrap them up tight in a symbolic garbage bag or barrel, and toss them out for good as 2011 approaches!!!

We do not need them!!

They do not define us or affect us unless we keep them hanging around!!

Bad things happen to everyone from time to time  but they do so in order for us to learn from them, to grow as people,  NOT for us to dwell on them and re-live them and suffer endlessly as a result of them!

Time to move on ....time to change our outlook and views on things that cause us worry, anxiety, fear, and trepidation!!

Heart broken?  Forgive and move on!!

Betrayed?  Forgive and move on!!!

Feeling down or disappointed?  Move on!!

This is not the way to lead our lives!!

2011 is my self-proclaimed "Year of Faith and Belief"!!!

Resolve to have Faith that you are "where you are meant to be right now" and pray that you will be guided down a path of happiness, joy, peace and love!!

Because that is where we all will arrive if we learn to leave the driving and guiding to a greater Power than our own minds and actions!!

2011 WILL be all you pray and wish for if you Believe it!!!!

Go out and seize this opportunity to make the change today and to claim what God has given you already- peace, joy and love!!

It is your gift and the ONLY thing stopping us from attaining it is our own minds, negative thoughts, and doubts!!

Well guess what...that is the old you, and 2011 is the jumping off point for all of our happiness and peace!!

There is nothing impeding us that cannot be overcome by four simple words:

"This... is..... my...... Time!!!"

Go out and serve each other, and in doing so you will be served all you wish and desire!!!

This so called " Reality" we are in is a mere illusion and we must make 2011 the excuse to break free and capture what we have been given and have merely not accepted!!

I am with you on this journey, and I pray you take this opportunity to make your life all that it was intended to be!

I know you will!! And so will I!!

Thank you all for your love and support all year ... it has not gone unnoticed and always makes a difference!!!!  More than you will ever know!!!

God Bless and Stay Strong!!!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

You Never Know from where your Source of Happiness will come today!


This is a true story but it could truly be used as a metaphorical anecdote indeed!

My train commute started out as usual, save for several open parking spots and the tons of snow all over the lot!

I found my favorite seat and began my normal morning routine - check and respond to new emails, send daily horoscopes to my wife and brother in law, find a Daily Inspirational quote to shoot off to people I believe will benefit from reading it on any given day, and then browse the WSJ, Financial Times, NY Post (of course) and NY Times on my Droid phone.

The doors opened at the first stop after I got on the train and I suddenly heard "May I sit in this seat, Sir"?

I said "of course" and the response was "AWESOME. Thank you so much!"

I was seated in a 5 seater with three on one side and two on the other and this young man of ten years old with glasses and the most colorful scarf quickly jumped into the seat next to me.  His Mom quickly followed behind and got him unbundled!

Before she could even get to the hood of his coat, he introduced himself to me so politely I was blown away.

"Hello, Sir. My name is Sebastian. Nice to meet you. What is your name?"  he reached his hand out for a shake.

" My name is Douglas. Nice to meet you Sebastian."  and we shook on it!

Over the course of the next 40 minutes, young Sebastian (speaking in French to his Mom as she tried to focus his attention on reading and not "disturbing" the quiet, reading commuters with small talk) owned that section of this MetroNorth Train with his sheer enthusiasm, politeness, anecdotes, and natural positive personality.

When the female train conductor stopped at our seats for collection Sebastian asked her if she could make Tinkerbell out of the ticket (apparently done for him before by a very creative conductor), she told him she could not and seemed not to notice just who she was dealing with this lovely morning.

Sebastian looked at her through his glasses and merely said in response:

"That is ok. You are the most beautiful conductor I have ever seen in my life".  This brought laughs from everyone around us and smiles from ear to ear on every single commuter in earshot!

Even the business-like conductor melted and said:  "Why thank you and you are a mighty handsome young man.  You certainly made my day!"

And he certainly did... but Sebastian's work was not done just yet!

Over the course of the trip I learned the following from this special young boy:

"His Mom's coat was real leopard"
"His friend was on the train as well."
"He has a boy who is his enemy who tries to punch his mom (in the breasts no less)
" He and his friend are training to be Super Heroes and he showed me the results of his training on his biceps"
"He was going to his Mom's work where she is the Boss - and she likes bossing everyone around"
" He liked my name because it is the same name as our President"
"He asked me if I was a President and when I said 'No' he said I should be because 'I looked like a President'
"He asked me why I was not wearing a tie and I told him because work is slow and it was ok to not wear one this week, he said I really should wear a tie".  I promised him I would starting tomorrow.
"He felt I was a 'really nice Man' and he thought I should be our President."

He marveled at the snow out the window, told me when we were going into tunnels, and pointed out things on our neighboring commuter's newspaper that he found fascinating - especially "American Football".

All the while calling me "Douglas" each time and beaming with the rare, genuine excitement that we all probably once held as youngsters, but has since been washed away from us over times, struggles, and human interactions.

At first his Mom tried to keep him quiet and distracted, but she quickly realized that neither I nor my fellow 5-seater commuter companion minded his banter and questions, and observations in the least.

In fact it was thoroughly enjoyable, refreshing and welcomed!!!

The trip culminated quicker than any commute into work I believe I ever had and the "piece de resistance" came when Sebastian told me how nice I was to speak with him and leaned over to give me a peck on my cheek! 

"Keep up the good work, Douglas", he told me as he re-bundled and got ready to de-train.

As we left the train - he and his Mom heading to work to boss some people around, and me to the subway, i heard him calling "Douglas", "Douglas" behind me from the crowded platform. I stopped and waited for them to catch up in the crowd. Sebastian once again thanked me for our chat and told me "You really need to be President, Douglas."

It was an amazingly rejuvenative commute, all brought on by a special young 10 year old who sees life as we all should see it -- through the eyes of the grateful, the eyes of wonder and enthusiasm, the eyes of the present moment! 

Filled with kindness, gentleness, and love!

This young man and his Mom have a long road ahead of them, but I am certain that the special gift that God has given him will take him places, and accomplish things that we do not even measure on our daily scales of success!

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to sit next to Sebastian!  Merci Beaucoup, mon petit jeune garcon!

My day has been made and for that I am grateful as well!!!

Just remember, you never know from where your source of happiness will come today!

Stay Strong!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Great photo of Blizzard aftermath in Brooklyn NY




Christmas Blessing!! Please read!!

There are 12 months/ 12 disciples/ 12 tribes of Israel / Jesus' birth celebrated in the 12th month.

There is nothing attached.

Just send this to twelve others.

Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive. There is no cost, just a lot of reward. Make sure you pray, and pray believing God will answer.
May today be all you need it to be.

May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit restore your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears.

May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced.

May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered.

I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged. I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.

Now send this to 12 people within 5 minutes and remember to send this back..... I count as 2, you'll see why.

(Suggestion: copy and paste rather than forward)

Have a blessed Christmas season and thank you for being such a major blessing in my life !!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Daily Inspiration - Hellen Keller

PHOTO COURTESY OF KRISTEN OSTERMAN

When one door closes another opens. But often we look so long, so regretfully, upon the closed door, that we fail to see the one that is opened for us.
----Helen Keller

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. -Helen Keller

Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world. -Helen Keller

There is opportunity in every trouble.

http://www.dreamthisday.com/

Thursday, December 16, 2010

My wish and prayer for you today and EVERY DAY!!

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you,
a moonbeam to charm you,
a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.
Laughter to cheer you.
Faithful friends near you.
And whenever you pray,
Heaven to hear you.

-Irish Blessing

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

How to Stay Positive - How to Think Positive

I apologize for the lack of writing lately, but I have become re-invigorated from a little break and I am ready to resume the journey with you all!!  However, today I must share the following link on "How to Stay Positive"!!! 

It is a great piece and tremendous reminder of how important it is to keep the negative thoughts from cascading and drowning us!!! We often struggle with this constant battle and this article gives some great tips on how to stay on top of it all!!

Enjoy!!!

http://www.dreamthisday.com/how-to-stay-positive/