Sunrise

Yesterday morning I got up at 5:15, got dressed and drove to Robert Moses State Park
which is an Atlantic ocean beach on the south shore of Long Island. I stopped at Dunkin Donuts and got a delicious cup of coffee. I found out that they open up at 4:30.am. Good to know.
I drove a half an hour in the dark to the beach. I parked the car and found my way over the dunes to the beach lit only by starlight. I had checked the weather forcast and was happy to see that it was correct as I gazed up at the stars on a clear dark sky. One or two boats lit up the far away horizon out in the ocean
I got there a bit early but was able to experience the entire dawning experience. At first the stars were fully visible, the sun having no effect on the night sky. It really is darkest just before dawn. In time the eastern sky began to become less dark but only by a little. Slowly the sun's light began to have it's way. From left to right the sky became less and less dark. Only the brightest stars could hold their own in the face of the still unrisen sun. I was alone the whole time waiting in darkness. Not even a sea gull squawking to disturb the gentil roar of the surf.
Songs with morning themes came into my head, "Morning Has Broken" by Cat Stevens, "Early in the Mornin" by Peter Paul and Mary, and several others that have more to do with waking with your lover than experiencing the beauty of the raw sunrise.
I took it all in and was rewarded with a glimpse of red, a bright orange slit of fire just above the ocean. Little by little it grew, brighter and brighter as it quickly showed its full brilliance in the east. At first I could look directly at it, but in a few minutes I had to look away quickly, unable to hold my glance more than a few seconds, blinded by the brilliance.
March is a good time to experience the sunrise here on Long Island. Cold, but not freezing and the position of the sun is still low enough in the sky so it rises out of the ocean and not over land as it will later in Spring and Summer. What a morning. I stand in awe of the earth's Creator. It was a real "Aha Moment" - A moment of "Simple Happiness". What a joy to bask in the wonders of creation.

PIPER Conference

Yesterday I gave a presentation at the second annual PIPER (People Improving Peer Empowerment Recovery) Conference. It was held at Touro Law School in Central Islip, NY. My presentation on Simple Happiness - Eight Characteristics of Happy People was very well attended and very well received. However it was far from the highlight of the day.

Deb Damone, founder of PIPER and who is recovering from mental illness herself, told her story at the end of the morning session. It was unlike any life's experience I had ever heard. Her's is a story of survival. She has survived traumatic experiences of her youth and has turned a severe mental condition into a story of hope and inspiration for anyone who suffers from mental illness.

Through PIPER, Deb uses her considerable skills and talents to bring hope and practical ideas to those who partake in her program. She encourages her students to become advocates for others who struggle daily with the issues of mental illness. She brings in speakers from far and wide to enhance the learning experience of her students. Deb continues to develop new programs to challenge her students to continually reach higher in their efforts to overcome their sometimes deep seated disabilities.

You never really know what is going on inside a person's head. You never know what struggles a person could be dealing with in their daily life. Yesterday was a lesson in love, compassion and inspiration and determination. Thanks you Deb.

Deb will be appearing at the Book Revue in Huntington at 7:00 pm on April 6, 2010. She will be giving a talk and signing copies of her book, "The Ominous Betrayal: Memoir of a Child of Hope". If you are suffering from any mental illness or know someone who is, you must attend this event and get her book.
Contact Deb @ deb_damone@yahoo.com

A Step Forward

Today I installed in my computer a client contact system called ACT. It will make my business life more organized. I am always a bit late to the technology game, but as they say, "When the student is ready the teacher will appear." I am ready. All my speaking contacts will be in one place. My notes and follow-ups will be organized and efficient. There will be no more ,"Oops, I forgot to call that guy!"'s. I'm looking forward to loading up all my info. I feel good.
Just another step along the way to a life of Simple Happiness.

Meditation

Everyone can derive benefits from meditation. You don't have to be a Buddhist monk or live far away in the wilderness. Meditation is available to us all. Even Olympians meditate. Gold medal winning snowboarder Shawn White attributes much of his success to the practice of meditation.
You need no special outfit. It's actually free, although some enjoy taking classes to insure getting off on the right foot.
Meditation is simply quieting the mind, simply being. All you need to do is be quiet and breathe. The real benefit is derived from doing it on a regular basis. Make it part of your day. Start slowly, maybe five minutes. Sit quietly in a comfortable position and breathe. Pay attention to the physical aspect of your breathing. A thought will come in to your head. Notice it as a thought, let it go and return to your conscious breathing. Like anything you will get better with time. The more you practice the better you get.
Let me know how you do.
It's another simple step you can take along your way to a life of simple happiness.

Accountability For Your Happiness

This morning, as I do every Tuesday morning, I went to the DWI Alternative Facility in Yaphank, NY, to teach my class in personal development to the men there. This morning’s topic was the eight characteristics of happy people. The men, as usual, were attentive and engaged. We spent the most time on the second characteristic, accountability. That is, happy people realize that they are responsible for their own happiness. They don’t play the blame game: no blaming divorced parents, birth order or alcoholism or anything else for that matter.

Happy people say, “I am the person I am standing here today as a result of every choice that I’ve ever made in my life.” Now, as scary as that thought is, if you can buy into that concept, it can be just as empowering. If my choices are what make my life what it is, all I have to do is start making different choices. This only can happen with much introspection.

Helen Keller said it best, “Self pity is our worst enemy. If we yield to it we can never do anything wise in this world.” Sure, we all feel sorry for ourselves from time to time. Now is the time to start paying attention to our thoughts, especially the dis-empowering ones. Now is the time to stop hanging on to thoughts of self pity as we realize that self pity gets us nowhere. The next time you notice yourself feeling sorry for yourself, let go of that thought and replace it with a thought of gratitude. Be accountable. Taking responsibility for your own well being is a major step on your way to a life of Simple Happiness.

Jim Ryan's Aha #103 - Testimonial Dinner

Jim Ryan's Aha #103

Get together with your neighbors
and give a testimonial dinner to
your oldest neighbor, if they deserve it.
It will be an event that will never be forgotten.

To receive your personal copy of Jim Ryan's Aha Moments every Wednesday, go to www.jimryantalks.com to subscribe. You'll be glad you did!

Cheer Up, It'll Help with Your Heart

A recent study conducted by researchers at Columbia University found that happy people are less likely to have heart problems than those who are not so happy. So if you are a tee-totaling non smoker but are a grump, beware. That grumpiness could be what gets you.

Cheer up, lighten up. Stop taking yourself so seriously. These positive attributes will not only make your life more fun, they could make your life longer and healthier as well.

I wish you all life of Simple Happiness.