Limiting Beliefs

A belief is nothing more that a thought that we continually think about. It becomes comfortable. We feel that it is the truth. The problem is that many of our beliefs are limiting. We constantly tell ourselves that we can't do this or we can't do that. Who says so? We say so. And because we tell ourselves over and over, we begin to believe that it is true.

Start to pay attention and notice when a limiting thought shows up in your head. Ask yourself, "What if the opposite were true?" Picture yourself in your mind's eye doing what your thought told you that you can't do. Wow, maybe I can get my degree, or, maybe I can look for a more fulfilling job, or, maybe I can lose those pounds, or, maybe I can read a book every month. Start living up to your untapped potential.

We can change our beliefs. Imagine your life if you got rid of even one limiting belief. What are you waiting for? Simple Happiness is waiting just around that limiting belief.

Christmas is Just Around the Corner

Christmas is just around the corner. Can you believe it? Christmas falling on a Friday gives us a chance to really experience the Love of the season, no matter what your faith. Soon all the hustle and bustle will be behind us. Gifts given and received. It's really the thought that counts.

Take some private time every day and consider what this time of year means to you. Don't let this holiday season pass you buy in a blur. Express the love you feel to family, friends and strangers. Let this coming weekend be the start of something good.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all my friends.

With much love,
Jim

Drug Court Graduation

I was invited to give the graduation address at Suffolk County Drug Court a week ago. It was an interesting experience. There were about 20 graduates present but the room was filled. There were well over 100 people, family, friends, counselors, and support team members. The 20 graduates had the choice of jail or getting clean. These graduates succeeded in meeting all the requirements necessary to graduate. They showed up in front of the Judge, Honorable Jerry Asher of Huntington, NY, every week. They got tested and received counseling every week. They may have received counseling more than once a week, I'm not sure.

The diplomas were handed out by the probation officers who dealt with each of the graduates. The three probation officers spoke personally and with pride of each grad. Some toed the line right from the outset, others needed more prodding. There was a real love for the graduates expressed by the probation officers.

My talk was well received. I felt honored to be part of the rehab of these 20. My prayers go out to them for their continued success on the road which will certainly not be any easier than what they've already been through.

I am truly happy and feel blessed that my own children have escaped this side of life.

The Hudson River

I've lived in New York State all my life but I know very little about the Hudson River and the Hudson River Valley. My wife read an article in the Martha Stewart Living magazine last week. It was a pictorial article about Boscabel, a Mansion that was built originally in the early 1800's and later rebuilt and moved in the 1950's to its current spot overlooking the mighty Hudson River.
We got in the car this morning, map in hand, and made our way to Cold Spring, NY just north of Boscabel. What a glorious fall day. The sky was blue, the air crisp and the crowds were small. On the way, we passed through Fhanestock State Park and saw groups of hikers out enjoying God's breathtaking landscapes. Wow! hiking! Talk about getting close to nature without great expense.
I think what I want to say is that there is such natural beauty and grandeur within a two hour drive that we never even contemplate experiencing. So often we put things off and stick around home, not really doing anything of much import.
Today, standing on the bank of the Hudson River right across from the US Military Academy at West Point gave me a real thrill. I was in awe of that river. It's just so wide. I just stood there imagining the first European explorers sailing up the river wondering what was around the next bend.
Oh yea, the Boscabel mansion was great too.
Get off your block and spend a day exploring.

I Feel Inspired

I feel particularly inspired this morning. I'm just about finished reading Wayne Dyer's new book Excuses Begone. He has a real ability to lay things out in a very understandable way. I feel very relaxed and confident in what I am doing. It's not about me and my success as a speaker or author. It's about my aligning with my life's purpose. My job here is to open people's minds to the possibilities of living a life of joy and fulfillment. It is to help folks see that this kind of life is available to everyone, not just a few.
This is a feeling that I would love to experience over and over again. It energizes me. It makes all my cares and worries dissapear as I venture into today. There is a lot to do and my joy lies in the doing. I don't feel any pressure as I am aligned with my Divine Source.
It's enough to be on your way.
I wonder what good will come my way today. I wonder whose life I can make a little bit better today.
To all with much love,
Jim

Old Music

I was just listening to and watching some music from my youth which still excites me. I typed in John Stewart on YouTube and found the guy I was looking for, not the tv talk show host/comedian. This John Stewart was a member of the Kingston Trio way back when folk music was getting rolling.
When I was 10 or 11 years old my older brother had some Kingston Trio records (331/3). We had no record player but every once in a while he would borrow one from a friend. When he played those songs something stirred inside me . The guitars, the harmonies, the stories just lifted me up. I was excited to the core of my being. I'll never forget that feeling, sitting on the floor of our living room in Schenectady, NY.
It was in the summer before my junior year of high school. I was working as a busboy in a snack bar at a rest stop along the NYS Thruway. I was working with all girls, mostly college kids. One night the boyfriend of one of them came along with an old guitar. We were sitting at the picnic table out back taking a break. I remember, he took a plastic spoon and broke it in half to use as a pick to play the guitar. He sang those same songs that had stirred me so right from the beginning.
It was that night that I decided that I would learn to play the guitar. I made a deal with the guy that night, trading my older brother's bongo drums for that old guitar. When I told my brother about the deal I had made he admonished me, "Ok, you can trade my bongo drums for the guitar but just promise me that you won't let the guitar sit around like I've done with my bongo drums." The rest is history. I ended up quitting my summer job because it got in the way of my learning to play that unforgettable guitar. My fingers bled from holding down those metal strings, but it was totally worth it.
That fall I made my first appearance singing in my high school's hootenany. Teaching myself to play the guitar is the best thing I've ever done in my life. (that's a slight exageration but it's right up there.)
To be continued...

Live With Passion

Be passionate about something. Be enthousiastic about something. Get excited about your life. The word enthousiasm comes from the Greek, en theos, which means with God. When you do something with enthousiasm you are getting in touch with your higher self. You are experiencing life the way it was meant to be lived. Abraham Lincoln said that it's not the years of you life that are important but the life in your years. Someone else said that it's not the number of breaths that you take that is important but the experiences that take your breath away that matter.
What makes you feel most alive? What activity that you engage in makes time fly by making you wonder where the time went? Find that activity. Make time to engage in it. Don't let weak excuses get in the way of your living the life that you were meant to live.
At the end of life people don't regret what they did, but they regret what they didn't do.
The difinition of old age is when regrets take the place of dreams. How about it? What are you waiting for?

Argue for Your Limitations and They Are Yours

Listen to your self talk. Pay attention to what thoughts you think about yourself. Many of you spend a lot of time telling yourselves reasons why you shouldn't try this or do that. You tell yourself that you want something but then go ahead and figure out why you can't get it or do it or be it. You stop yourself before you even get started. Listen to the excuses you make up: it's too hard, I'm too old, I don't have the proper training and on and on and on.
When you notice yourself focusing on your limitations, say to yourself, "Oops, there I go again". That's the time to tell yourself a different story . Stop resisting. Stop saying why you can't. Start thinking how worthy you are to have what you want. Start thinking about who you really are. You were put on this earth to be a joyfull, fulfilled, loving person. You were put here to develop your talents, whatever they are. You were put here to be the best you you can be and have fun being your best.
Start spending time every day picturing your perfect life. Feel how good it feels picturing your success. Feel the empowerment deep inside when you stop focusing on what might go wrong. Who cares what someone else might say. This is your life. Be the one who inspires others. Start today. Release the resistance and start having fun.

Feed Your Mind

I've been teaching a course in personal development in our local jail system for almost ten years now. I go there first thing on Tuesday morning. It is probably the most fulfilling time of the week for me. What an opportunity I have to experience living my life's purpose. There is no question that I get as much or more out of those 45-50 minutes than anyone in the class.
This morning we watched the first half of "The Secret". All eyes were rivoted on the tv. I have seen the movie at least ten times but every time I view it I pick up new things. It reinforces patterns of thought. It tells me again that I must continue to feed my mind daily. It's a hopeful message with specific instructions on how to fashion your life the way you want it to be. Great lessons to be had. All we have to do is seek.
Feed your mind every day.

How Amazing is Science?

Yesterday I was going on and on about how everything science has proven has eventually been overturned. Well last night the science was correct. Scientists predicted that there would be a meteor shower last night between 1:00 and 6:00 am with the heaviest concentration occuring just before 6:00 am. Sure enough, when I got up this morning at 5:40, got dressed and went outside there is was... a meteor shower. Actually I wouldn't call it a shower. It was more like one meteor every two minutes.

I sat on a lawn chair in my driveway where I had a wide view of the sky and watched, eyes wide open, looking pretty much straight ahead. Here and there appeared a quick, darting light, lasting just a split second. There was no denying it; the scientists were right on the money this time.

I watched for about 15 minutes then went inside to make my morning coffee. I felt satisfied that, if I had to report to my Creator, I would be able to give Him a blow by blow account of the meteor shower. I certainly was enjoying His Creation. The only thing missing was someone to share it with. It's always more fun when you can share the oooohs, and the aaaaahs. Maybe next time.

Is Science Wrong Again?

Pretty much everything we've ever thought was scientifically true has been eventually proven false.
1. The sun revolves around the earth
2. The world is flat
3. Bleeding the patient cures him
4. Eggs are bad for you
5. Nuclear physics

It's just a matter of time until science catches up with some new discovery which supercedes past truisms. It's not that science is wrong, it's just that man's understanding of the universe continues to develop and evolve.

I've been telling my audiences that "psychological studies show" that about 50% of our happiness quotient is based on our genetic make-up; about 10% of our happiness quotient is derived from our life situation; and the remaining 40% is up to us, that is, what do we decide to do the the other 60%.

In his new book, Excuses, Begone!, Wayne Dyer contends that we can override our genetic make-up by changing our beliefs. What an exciting idea! Outer space is still on the frontier of scientific exploration, but close on its heels is the study of the mind and human potential. You'll see.
What will the world look like as more and more of us tap into our limitless potential for good?

If Necessary, Use Words

This morning while reading the paper I came across a quote that I have prominantly displayed near the front of my book, Simple Happiness. It is a quote from St. Francis of Assisi. To me it is a quote that embodies the total message of Christianity. It even completes what Jesus taught when asked what were the two greatest Commandments. Jesus said the first and greatest commandment was to love God with your whole mind your whole heart and your whole soul and the second greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself.

A song comes to mind that we used to sing in church -" They will know we are Christians by our Love, by our Love. They will know we are
Christians by our Love." How simple is that.

Back to the quote from St. Francis.
In medieval times the followers of St. Francis wanted to know what to do when they took to the streets. "Tell everyone about the Love of God", St. Francis advised. "If necessary, use words."

A Physical Crossroad

My son and daughter in law were visiting from Boston two weeks ago to attend a family wedding. It was a great weekend. The wedding was on Sunday, my son and daughter in law arrived Friday night so we had all day Saturday to have fun. My son and I played 9 holes of golf and got home at about 10:30 just in time to enjoy a bountiful breakfast prepared by my wife. We chatted about many things one of which was tennis. I suggested that we go to the local high school courts and hit a bit. The three of us hit the courts - my son on one side and my daughter in law and I on the other.
What an eye opening experience for me. Granted I haven't played tennis in about one year, but I used to be a pretty decent player. I couldn't move at all. I could only return the ball if it was hit right back to me. I was embarrassed by my poor play. They were both outplaying me. I struggled for about an hour before calling it quits.
I realized that I was at a physical crossroads. I had a choice to make. Either I could forget about playing tennis for the rest of my life and just stick to golf... Or I could make an effort to get back into some kind of shape that would allow me not to embarrass myself of the courts. All of my children play tennis and now even my grandaughter is beginning to take lessons. This could be a very pleasant family activity that I would love to participate in.
Certainly I would only be able to participate if I could get my legs and wind back. I have been walking two miles about five mornings a week, but that has done nothing for my quickness and ability to move to get to the tennis ball.
So I decided. I'm not ready to give up on tennis just yet. I have begun a conditioning regimen which now includes jogging along with the walking. My goal is to build up to jogging one mile without stopping. I've been out every morning that it hasn't been raining. It's going to happen. That is my intention.

Watch Less TV

Comedian Groucho Marx said,"Television can be very educational. Every time someone turns it on I go into another room and read a good book."
There are so many good books to read. We claim that we have no time to read. Keep track of how many hours you are in from of the tv each day. Fill one hour with a more productive activity: read a book, take a walk, ride your bike, play cards with your kids, tinker in your workshop, learn to play a musical instrument, write a poem. In short, use that one hour to follow your bliss.

There’s More There than Meets the Eye

I went to Dunkin Donuts tonight to get a cup of coffee as I often do. I feel that the caffeine helps me stay awake so I can do some reading or writing. I also just love Dunkin Donuts coffee. Usually either Jorge or Rich is there to serve me. Jorge always has my coffee ready for me as soon as I walk in. Medium, milk, one sugar. He always makes me feel good. He works hard, sometimes six or seven 14 hour days per week. I have much respect for him.

Tonight Rich was there. He always takes an interest in my talks, asking me where I’ve been recently. He is very well read. One area of interest is Eastern Religions. I mentioned to him that I had just finished a small book by Thich Nhat Hanh which was given to me by a friend. Rich knew all about him having read many of his books. He even promised me that he will bring one of his books in next week for me to borrow.

I love getting to know people who work in service businesses. So often when you engage them in conversation they reveal much more going on inside them than we might at first give them credit for. It happens over and over to me. Don’t be too quick to make judgments about people because they might work serving coffee in Dunkin Donuts. Be sure that more often than not, there’s more there than meets the eye.

P.S. I hope you had a chance to check out the moon tonight – absolutely glorious.

A Full Moon

I hope you had a chance to check out the sky on Sunday night. There was a beautiful full moon shining brilliantly illuminating the sky.

When I die and meet my maker and when He asks me, “How did you enjoy me Creation?” I’m going to tell Him that every night before going to bed I checked out the sky. I enjoyed gazing at the stars on cloudless nights and at times the beautiful full, half or crescent moons. I don’t know much about astronomy, just that God created a huge wonderful universe for all of us to enjoy, both night and day. Thanks. I am in awe of it all.

Criminal Justice Class

Last evening I gave a guest lecture to a criminal justice class at Nassau Community College. I was invited by my friend Rene Fiechter, an assistant district attorney in Nassau County, who teaches the class. I arrived in a timely manner and at the appropriate time I stood to address the class. It has been a long time since I stood in front of a class full of students (I’m a former junior high school French and Italian teacher). I was a bit nervous looking into the blank stares of about thirty 18-20 year olds.

I gave it my best, opening up with a song I (which met with mild approval) and continuing for an hour or so. There were some smiles at the funny parts but for the most part they seemed detached. One young man raised his hand at one point and suggested that my message would be great for an AA meeting. I took that to be a positive contribution. I closed with a song which was followed my more polite applause mostly at the urging of Rene, my friend.

I encouraged them to fill out an evaluation paper, while I sang my last song, grading me and asking them for feedback. The evaluation also gives them the opportunity to sign up for my email list. I felt good when at the end of my portion of the class before they took a break several young people came to me asking to purchase a copy of my book, Simple Happiness, 52 Easy Ways to Lighten Up.

When I got home I sat down to read the evaluations. A broad smile took over my face as I read their feedback:

“This talk will really affect my outlook on life and keep a positive outlook on life and to be unafraid of failure and pursue my passions to obtain true happiness.”

“I liked the whole message and the songs. Thank you for coming to speak to us”

“Jim is good at expressing points, establishing appreciation, getting the audience to listen and think”

“I loved the speech and especially the quotes.”

“It was good, I was able to learn a lot.”

“I learned a lot about compassion. Your talk reminded me a lot of the book, The Secret.”

"I really enjoyed the whole thing. It was very inspiring."

It’s a real lesson for me to not assume anything about the audience just by observing their body language. It’s up to me to maintain my energy despite what might seem to be in the minds of the audience. There’s always more there than meets the eye.

Enjoy Creation

I’ve been enjoying the National Park special that has been airing on PBS. I visited many of them years ago with a good friend when I was in my twenties. What majesty, what grandeur. It is truly a spiritual experience to be in the presence of such natural beauty.

Before going to bed tonight I walked outside to check out the nighttime sky, as I often do. Tonight the sight was a real beauty. A nearly full moon light up the sky, its brightness lessening the effect of the stars. The wispy white clouds passing by couldn’t dim the moon’s magnificence.

An old friend of mine who is a Christian Brother sent me a Christmas card a few years ago that he had made himself on his computer. It was a simple design with a message on the inside.

When we die and go to heaven to meet our Maker, one of the questions that Almighty God will ask us is, "How have you enjoyed my Creation."

It’s a good question to ask ourselves now, while we still have an opportunity to do something about it.

Mindfulness

A dear friend let me borrow a book yesterday--Be Free Where You Are-- written by a Vietnamese Buddhist monk named Thich Nhat Hanh. I read the first few pages this morning and was struck with the simplicity of his message--"we are all capable of living mindfully." The only requirement is to pay attention to what you are doing while you are doing it.

If you have never experienced doing something mindfully you can start right now. By living mindfully your days will be filled with the fullness of life.

You will begin to appreciate the simple activity of drinking a glass of water. Don’t just drink the glass of water so you can get done with it. Experience the drinking in its totality. Be there while you are drinking.

Practice walking mindfully. Enjoy each step in your journey to pick up the morning paper from your driveway. Enjoy each step you take as you carry the dishes from the dinner table to the sink. What a blessing to be able to walk freely and effortlessly.

You can practice mindfulness when you eat. Before you start, look at your food. Smile at it. This food is what sustains your bodily health. As you pick up and eat your sting beans, consider the color, texture and taste. Realize that this sting bean has grown from a tiny seed. How many tasty string beans have grown from a single seed placed in the ground. Be grateful for the sunshine the soil and the rain that have all contributed to the maturation of this single bean.

Start with the practice of mindfulness when drinking, walking and eating. Cultivate the habit of mindfulness in these areas and see how you feel. You don’t watch a movie with the goal of getting to the end. You watch a movie with the goal of enjoying every aspect of it – the scenery, the dialogue, the special effects, the story, the actors, the intrigue – everything.

Start treating each day with that same mindfulness. Enjoy it all. It’s all good.

Shower the People You Love With Love

Sometimes we're so caught up in our day to day activities we forget about those closest to us. We often take them for granted. Hug your wife (husband, lover). Give your kids a kiss. Kid around with them. Spend time with them focusing on what's important to them.
Call your mother, your father or your brothers and sisters.
Tell your kids that you're proud of them.
Thank your wife for making a great dinner.
Thank your wife for doing the laundry.
Tell her she looks beautiful today.
Think up ways to make those around you feel good.

Federation of Organizations

I'm excited about giving a talk today at the Federation of Organizations Annual Appreciation Luncheon. This is a national organization which coordinates senior volunteers. I believe it's mostly or totally a women's group. They either participate in helping little kids learn to read (surragate grandparents) or they visit shut-ins.
They must be a very positive group of people. I can't wait to share my insights on happiness with them. No doubt the energy in the room will be palpable. I'll let you know how it goes.
I am so blessed to be in a position to empower and inspire folks.
I'm sure I will learn a ton today.
Lord, how may I serve?

The Shift

I went to the Book Expo America at the Javits Center in New York City last Saturday. It was a valuable experience for me in my search to determine the best course of action for me is to get my book, Simple Happiness, published.
Perhaps the best thing that happened was getting my hands on Wayne Dyer's new movie, The Shift. It's a full length movie that really gets to the heart of the true meaning of what The Secret was trying to get across. Wayne explains things in terms that we can all understand. The various subplots portray real life for the most part.
Wayne explains that we attract into our lives things that line up with who we are, not necessarily with what we want. In simple terms he explains how critical our relationship with our Divine Source is. He uses the biblical quote, "With God ALL things are possible" What part of "ALL" don't you understand? he poionts out throughout the movie.
For me it was a very emotional experience. It opened my eyes again to the possibilities of complete joy that exist for us here on earth. I hope everyone has the opportunity to experience this movie. Wayne Dyer is truly a blessing.

Hauppauge Industrial Association Trade Show

Last Thursday, May 21,2009, I participated in the Hauppauge Industrial Association Trade Show. It is one of the largest, if not the largest, trade shows on Long Island. It was a full day of meeting and chatting with folks from all over. I took advantage of this marketing opportunity to meet hundreds of new prospects. Some had an interest in my Simple Happiness talks and some had an interest in my best selling book, Simple Happiness, 52 Easy Ways to Lighten Up.

Just seeing the book brings a smile to your face; the bright yellow cover and the catchy title always produce a smile even from those sporting long faces.

In the afternoon, I had the opportunity to meet one of my fellow exhibitors, George Bouklas, Ph.D., of Bouklas Group. At the urging of another fellow exhibitor, Paula Parish, George stopped by and began to stir things up. His booming voice and contageous energy caused an instant storm of interest in my book and talks. "This man (me) is a genius" he bellowed. "How can you pass up the opportunity to grab this life-changing book! He's practically giving it away! Simple Happiness for only twelve bucks!" And people stopped to check it out. And they bought it. They walked away happy that they had made an investment in themselves. George was happy to bring attention to my efforts. I was certainly happy to sell more books which will spread the word. Most of all I was happy to meet George.

Opportunities show up in all kinds of different ways. I met all kinds of people at the Trade Show, but I have a sneaking suspicion that meeting George Bouklas, PhD will turn out to be the most meaningful result of my Trade Show efforts.

Mother's Day

We had a really nice Mother's Day today. The family was here. Mom had a break from cooking - bagels for breakfast, terrific sushi for dinner (Mom actually did make some penne a la vodka for those who may not have been crazy for the sushi). My son Lou and I managed to remove an old refridgerator and an old freezer from the basement (that was Mom's best gift). Gina brought some quality gifts, Lou and Colleen brought a beautiful rose plant and Joe called this morning and had a nice chat with his Mom. Mom was very happy all day. Love was present in all the conversations and comments.
Why not make every day Mother's Day, or Father's Day or family day. The love expressed by laughter and joking as a family is a joy to experience. It's so great to experience a fun Mother's Day. Let's bring those warm loving feelings to mind as we go about our day tomorrow and the next day and the next and...
Listen to each other. Support each other. Feel the energy of Unconditional Love that is available to us all.

WOW-AWESOME-HUMBLING

I went to a Women's Business Expo today. I met a woman who just made my day. She had read my book, "Simple Happiness, 52 Easy Ways to Lighten Up" and has been enjoying my weekly "Aha Moments" for quite some time. When I introduced myself to her, her face completely lit up. She was genuinely thrilled to meet me. She went on to tell me that she had given a copy of my book to someone in FL (I can't remember if it was her sister, a relative or a friend). That person had been experiencing some difficulties in her life. She related to me that reading my book had changed her life.
How's that for a validating experience!
It filled me with such joy to realize that my work is able to have such an effect on people. At that moment I don't think I could have felt any happier. It was a truly blissful moment. To me it was like a glimpse of heaven. What an awesome, humbling experience. I am so blessed.

Say "YES" to Opportunities

I was invited to be on fundraising committee to raise money for two events scheduled to take place on the east end of Long Island. Ann Liguori, a client/friend of mine invited me. These past few years I been saying "Yes" to opportunities, so I went. Ann aked me to say a few words and sing a couple of songs to close out the meeting.
Ann is a wonderful woman who is a sports radio personality and a pioneer in women's sports broadcasting. She and her committee have raised millions over the past ten years or so, mostly for the AmericanCancer Society. She is now focusing her efforts mostly on raising money for charities which deal with local children. I was very impressed by the people at the meeting; good, regular people quietly doing good. People using their time and talents so that others lives might be better.
If you are ever invited to take part in a local fundraising effort, I suggest that you strongly consider getting involved. It will bring out the best in you and who knows where it might lead you. When someone opens a door for you, walk through and enjoy the experience.

Find What You Love to Do and Do It

I get so excited every time I apply for a speaking job. I just feel so confident that if I am hired I will deliver a memorable program that will inspire and empower the audience.
I've been giving talks in the public for the past six years and every time I stand in front of a group my energy level soars. I love connecting with the audience. The challenge is to customize the talk to each specific audience. That has been my focus for the past two years now. Preparation really pays off.
I feel so blessed to be in this position.
Find what you love to do and do it.

Do What YOU Love

What makes you happy?

What do you love to do?

Find out what it is…then arrange your life so you can do more of it.

Jim Ryan

P.S. If you're on Long Island or the NYC area, check out my upcoming workshop "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life" on April 25, 2009.

Aha Moment #18 - Your Perspective Matters

Here's a story to consider:

Two sneaker companies each send a marketing representative to a small African country to assess the prospects of business expansion.

One representative sends back an e-mail saying, "It's a dead end; everyone is barefoot."

The other representative sends back his e-mail saying, "The sky is the limit; everyone is barefoot!"

Free yourself from your old, limiting attitudes. Embrace the exhilarating freedom that is yours as you shed your negativity for something better, much better.

Why not? It's all made up anyway!

Jim Ryan

http://www.jimryantalks.com/

Aha Moment #17 When You Change the Way You Look at People, the People You Look at Change

By changing the way you look at people, the people you look at change. Remind yourself of their good qualities. See the divine side in everyone.
Blessings,
Jim Ryan

There's More Than Meets the Eye

Today as you go about your day take note of your reaction to people who cross your path. What do you think of them? Do you decide what they are like by their looks, by their clothes, by their gait? Many of us do.
Today when a person crosses your path ascribe positive qualities to him. Say to yourself, "He's probably very intelligent"; "He's probably a loving father"; "I'll bet she has a kind word for everyone"; "She could be a very spiritual person"; "He could know more about world affairs that I do"; "She's probably someone's best friend" and on and on. Try changing your toughts in this small exercise. See how you feel. It will be a step in the right direction.
Blessings,
Jim Ryan

Winter and Spring, The Recession and the Recovery

It’s been a cold Winter. Sometimes it seems that Spring will never come. But guess what! It’s on its way. Notice the days growing longer as the sun rises a little further north in the eastern sky every morning. We can mope around complaining or we can enjoy the final days of Winter and rejoice in the anticipation of Spring.We face a similar choice in dealing with today’s economy. So far we have recovered from every recession we’ve ever experienced. We can’t deny the pain some are experiencing, however we don’t have to spread gloom wherever we go either. Be the one at work who lightens things up, who lifts the spirits of those who work with us. Let your focus be on what folks are doing to get us out of this mess. Even better, focus on what you can do. Be part of the solution.
Blessings,
Jim Ryan

Aha Moment # 16 Stop Taking Yourself so Seriously

Stop taking yourself so seriously. It’s okay for you to be wrong. Catch someone doing something right

Aha Moment #15 Live a Life of Purpose

Today is the day to begin to live a life of purpose (if you haven’t so far). Decide what you want your legacy to be.

Positive Energy

We all have things that bring us down from time to time. Sometimes they are real concerns, ie. children, finances, health, employment to name a few. In today's world there is certainly enough bad news to latch on to. Sometimes the worries can be vague, and sometimes they can be concrete. These issues can really sap the energy from our psyche and slow down our momentum.

What's the answer? One answer for sure is to have a positive friend to turn to. A friend who views you and the world in a bright, positive light, one who reminds you that these circumstances are just that, circumstances. They are not the essence of your life, they are not the essence of who you really are. It's great to have a person to lift you up, to help get you back on track. It's a blessing to have a friend who can spark your energy and light your fire again.

One final thought... As great as it is to have a friend you can turn to in time of low energy...it's just as great to BE that kind of friend.

Aha Moment #14 Love Your Grown Children

If you have grown children your main job is to love them. The circle of life continues to go around. New generations are born. Roles change. Tell your kids how proud you are of them. Love them more then ever and leave it at that.

I'm Here and I'm Ready

I just listened to an audio cassette that I bought on www.Amazon.com, entitled I'm Here and I'm Ready by Dr. John Pelizza. It was really good. I knew everything he was talking about, but hearing it from a different perspective, in a different style, is valuable. As I listened I thought to myself how effective he was with his live audience. Then I realized that I can't be him. I have to be myself to be authentic. I can take some of his perspectives and add them to my message, but the delivery and style has to be mine, so my message comes across as honest and real. Keep searching. Keep learning. Keep striving to get Better at whatever it is that you do.

Aha Moment #13 Low Moods

Notice when you are in a low mood, everything gets serious. This is not the time to get to the bottom of things. It’s time to be still. Your low mood will pass and all will be well.

The Shack, a Best Seller

I finished a book yesterday called The Shack, written by William Young. It's currently a best seller. I recommend it highly. It took me a while to get really interested in it, but as I read on I began to really appreciate the message. It explores our relationship with God and gives a fresh look at religion. It does so in a different way which gives an interesting perspective and answers many profound questions.
The two things I more clearly understand now are God's presence with us and the absolute power of love and forgiveness. It's a powerful book. I'm aware of and experiencing God's love and His presence right now.
If you can begin to experience God's love and presence in yourself you'll begin to see His love and presence in others.

Aha Moment #12 Being Prepared is Half the Battle

Plan for bumps in the road... Don’t be surprised when yesterday’s unsolved issue re-appears. Plan a response that will make you feel a little bit better then you did last time. Being prepared is half the battle

Aha Moment #11 Are you a Human Doing or a Human Being?

Are you a human doing or a human being? Slow down, pay attention. Spend some time “being” instead of constantly doing. The consciousness arrived at by being, will enhance all your experiences.

I Hope You Dance

The Hauppague Industrial Association--a grass-roots, pro-active 30- year old business organization that focuses on the economic health and well-being of its member companies and that of the entire Long Island business community--held a talent content last month.

As a member of the association and a "ham" when it comes to getting in front of an audience, you might have already guessed that I happily participated. It was hosted by David Weiss of WLNY-TV 55 at the Sheraton LI Hotel. The distinguished panel of Judges included HIA co-founder and Chairman Jack Kulka and board members Tony Leteri of Leteri Waste Management and Rita DiStefano of Portnoy, Messinger, Pearl & Associates.

As indicated in the HIA Reporter, their monthly newsletter, my performance "delivered a skillful rendition of the Eagles’ 1973 classic 'Peaceful Easy Feeling'." One of six competitors, I was pleased to walk away in second place with a score of 10, 10 and 9, a very large trophy and my own peaceful, easy feeling!

When life comes at you with opportunities that may intimidate you, feel the fear and then do it anyway. You are likely to be pleasantly surprised with a memorable experience.

I share with you words of wisdom from a song by Lee Ann Womack that I sing at many of my motivational talks -- "And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance... I hope you dance!"

Jim

The Science of Getting Rich

A dear friend gave me a book a couple of years ago, "The Science of Getting Rich", by Wallace Wattles. It was written in 1910 and is the basis for the movie and book, "The Secret". It is a short, easy to read book. I read it while on vacation in PA. The book had little effect on me.

Last week a woman whom I coach and who has been having some difficulty with visualization emailed me and asked if we could discuss this book at our next session. I had forgotten that I had the book sitting in my bookcase. Once I realized I had it I picked it up and devoured it immediately. The effect it had on me was totally different this reading. I began to really understand the point of how our thoughts create our lives. I began to understand what a dominant thought is. I now understand why it's so important to be rich. I'm glad I read this book so early in 2009. It will be the basis for my getting truly rich. It's all about the Law of Attraction. I am a different person today than I was two years ago when I first read this book. I was ready this time to receive the book's message.

Read it and read it again - The Science of Getting Rich.

Aha Moment #10 Jump Aboard, Start Living Life

If you feel that life is passing you by, then it possibly is. You can fret about lost opportunities chastising yourself for living a life of little consequence. You can live each day going through the motions in a joyless fashion, thinking up excuses for why your life has turned out the way it has, or you can listen to the wake up call! Make choices that move you in the direction of a more fulfilling life. Jump aboard “the passing life” and start living it.

Aha Moment #9 The Golden Years

The golden years can truly be golden. Seek out opportunities to brighten the lives of others, even as your own light fades. Rise above the challenges of aging; deflect your conversation away from complaints. Shine the light on others as you age, and you will see the joy of living a long life.

Aha Moment #8 Practice Compassion

Practice compassion. Let others be who they want to be without giving into the need to judge them

REFLECTIONS TAKING US FORWARD

As 2008 comes to a close, what a wonderful opportunity to take time in reflection of your successes of this past year.

Write down five or more things that you feel good about accomplishing. You have probably done more than you had originally thought. Go through the year, month by month, and give yourself credit. So often we beat ourselves up over what we have messed up. Now is the time to focus on the plus side.

Let's make 2009 our best year ever! Let's make it a year of personal growth. Let's make it a year in which we come closer to understand who we really are – children of God. We are not just lowly humans destined to struggle every day. We are divine beings meant to live lives filled with Joy and Abundance!

If that's not the life you're living, wouldn't NOW be a good time to start?

Happy New Year to all!