It’s not a coincidence that we are confronted with annoying people and situations day-in and day-out. That’s life, and it follows us everywhere, like someone stepping on your heels. When we allow these outside factors to keep us from enjoying our lives, they quickly manifest themselves as our inner conflicts.
Make no doubt about it, those inner conflicts represent lessons we need to learn. When we learn them we become more confident and at peace in our surroundings. Our lives become easier when we view our challenges not as burdens that bring us down, but as opportunities to evolve. We can only stay down by choosing to respond in a way that doesn’t accept the problem as a task that will make us better. In my view, that’s a key to being successful in all levels of life.
Among my biggest challenges has been learning patience and to control my anger. Since these are things I still need to learn, I often find myself in traffic jams, red lights and waiting at the back of long lines. This last one seems to be especially true. No matter what line I carefully choose for optimal speed, factoring in the number of standees, the number of their items and whether or not they look like they have someplace else to be, something always comes up in the way of a price check, changing the cash drawer, a dysfunctional computer (or person), or a declined credit card.
What really ticks me off are the ones that only have two items (usually something like a roll of toilet paper and tooth paste) and then write out a check for two dollars and thirty seven cents. (I guess we should realize that it’s just not safe to carry all of that cash around with you!) This is a maddening situation for me, and until I can finally accept that I can’t move lines any faster with my mind, it will continue that way.
I can’t tell you how many times I had to be somewhere at an appointed time and broke a shoelace, or noticed a stain on my shirt, or couldn’t find my car keys, and of course, noticed the gas gauge was pointing to empty. Boy, sometimes life seems like it’s out to get me!
If I allow even one these annoying moments to try my patience, it could set me off for the rest of the day. In the end, all it takes is one annoyance to set yourself up for another one, and then another, and so on. This domino effect can be devastating, but if I can recognize it for what it is and say to myself, “This is a test, and I will pass it and learn form this.” I can then shift my perspective, calm down and feel like I’ve learned something. By learning the lesson, I am setting up for a happier, more productive day.
In Part 2 you will learn how humor can be a real difference maker and help you learn the lesson that life is trying to teach you.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Thoughts are Good, but just That!
Thoughts are good, but just that.
You need to take action or they never go anywhere.
You need to take action or they never go anywhere.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Beliefs & Choices of the Past
Like it or not, where you are at this point in your life is based on the beliefs you had & the choices you made in the past.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Humor is a GIFT!
Humor is a Gift! Find time to allow yourself to use Humor on a daily basis.
You will Thank Yourself!
You will Thank Yourself!
Monday, July 25, 2011
Have A GREAT DAY, Laugh!
Having a GREAT day should ALWAYS be in the plan, Steve Rizzo
http://youtu.be/kuQPCS9r8Lc
http://youtu.be/kuQPCS9r8Lc
Friday, July 8, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Learn To Dance in the Rain
Last week I spent four wonderful days at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kona Hawaii, where I had the pleasure of speaking to a wonderful group of Top Sales Performers and spouses of Ameritus Financial.
My job was to give them the tools they need to embrace the changes and intense growth they were currently experiencing and will inevitably continue to experience in the coming years. I knew the tension was high, but I was prepared.
One morning, two hours before my speech, I was having breakfast at a restaurant with a captivating view of the ocean. As the waitress was pouring my coffee, I asked, “Why is it that no matter where they are, or what they are doing, Hawaiian people always seem to be happy and at peace with themselves? Is there some kind of secret that I should know about? And if there is, can you please tell me?”
She laughed and looked around as if to make sure that no one was listening and in a low voice she replied, “Mr. Rizzo today is your lucky day. For today I will tell you the secret that most Hawaiian people live by”. She sat down in the chair next to me, motioned me to get closer and whispered in my ear. “We learn to dance in the rain”.
Before I had a chance to respond, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a laminated card and handed it to me and said “This is for you. It really is a secret that should be shared with everyone.” “Don’t wait for the storms of your life to pass. Learn to dance in the rain”.
Read that again my friend. That statement is a touchstone for living a successful, happier life, especially when you are experiencing intense change and growth of any kind. That in part is the message I shared with the wonderful people of Ameritus Financial.
“Dancing in the rain” is an attitude that truly happy and successful people live by and few dancers come by it naturally. Can you learn to dance in the rain when the storms of change and misfortune are pouring down on you? I believe the answer is yes. It’s a matter of shifting your focus and way of thinking when times are tough that makes the difference.
That is to say, when the storms of life are pouring down on you, you can muster up enough courage to dance and bless the things that life has given you, or you can drown as you curse your challenges and unfortunate circumstances. I don’t know
My job was to give them the tools they need to embrace the changes and intense growth they were currently experiencing and will inevitably continue to experience in the coming years. I knew the tension was high, but I was prepared.
One morning, two hours before my speech, I was having breakfast at a restaurant with a captivating view of the ocean. As the waitress was pouring my coffee, I asked, “Why is it that no matter where they are, or what they are doing, Hawaiian people always seem to be happy and at peace with themselves? Is there some kind of secret that I should know about? And if there is, can you please tell me?”
She laughed and looked around as if to make sure that no one was listening and in a low voice she replied, “Mr. Rizzo today is your lucky day. For today I will tell you the secret that most Hawaiian people live by”. She sat down in the chair next to me, motioned me to get closer and whispered in my ear. “We learn to dance in the rain”.
Before I had a chance to respond, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a laminated card and handed it to me and said “This is for you. It really is a secret that should be shared with everyone.” “Don’t wait for the storms of your life to pass. Learn to dance in the rain”.
Read that again my friend. That statement is a touchstone for living a successful, happier life, especially when you are experiencing intense change and growth of any kind. That in part is the message I shared with the wonderful people of Ameritus Financial.
“Dancing in the rain” is an attitude that truly happy and successful people live by and few dancers come by it naturally. Can you learn to dance in the rain when the storms of change and misfortune are pouring down on you? I believe the answer is yes. It’s a matter of shifting your focus and way of thinking when times are tough that makes the difference.
That is to say, when the storms of life are pouring down on you, you can muster up enough courage to dance and bless the things that life has given you, or you can drown as you curse your challenges and unfortunate circumstances. I don’t know
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Experiencing True Happiness
I would like to get something off my chest. As many of you know, my mission in life is to show people how to be happy and successful, regardless what their circumstances are. Let me make this perfectly clear! I am in no way expecting anyone to be happy 24-7, 365 days a year. Give me a break! Better yet, give yourself a break!
To expect to be happy all the time is to set yourself up for disappointment and failure. Furthermore, if you were happy all of the time, its meaning would be completely lost because you would have nothing to compare it with.
Experiencing true happiness invariably involves emotional discomfort and difficult experiences along the way. In fact, it depends on them. Our challenges build our character and self esteem. How we approach and respond to these challenges is what determines the quality of our happiness. A happy person can experience highs and lows throughout their life while maintaining a positive outlook on their life as a whole.
The goal isn’t to be in a perpetual state of Pollyannaish happiness. Rather, the goal is to realize that if you stay conscious of your ability to shift into a feel good state of mind and allow it to, happiness will come around more often than not.
To expect to be happy all the time is to set yourself up for disappointment and failure. Furthermore, if you were happy all of the time, its meaning would be completely lost because you would have nothing to compare it with.
Experiencing true happiness invariably involves emotional discomfort and difficult experiences along the way. In fact, it depends on them. Our challenges build our character and self esteem. How we approach and respond to these challenges is what determines the quality of our happiness. A happy person can experience highs and lows throughout their life while maintaining a positive outlook on their life as a whole.
The goal isn’t to be in a perpetual state of Pollyannaish happiness. Rather, the goal is to realize that if you stay conscious of your ability to shift into a feel good state of mind and allow it to, happiness will come around more often than not.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Attitude of Gratitude by Steve Rizzo
On May 31st I spoke to a wonderful group of people at Northrop Grumman Corporation in Connecticut. On the way home the Limo driver asked me what I did for a living. I told him that I speak to groups all over the world on how to be happy and successful regardless of what their circumstances are. I knew I hit a soft spot because he let out a big laugh and said, “I always start my day in a good mood! Do you want to know the secret is?” Before I could answer he said, “Gratitude! I always start my day with an attitude of gratitude!”
Now I didn’t know this guy personally, but I could tell by that one statement that he embraced a most profound secret about happiness; GRATITUDE! It is essential that as soon as you open your eyes to start your day you put your attention on something or someone you are truly grateful for. And for those of you who are mumbling that you don’t have anything to be grateful for; WRONG!!!!!!
I cannot stress this enough, but I’ll try. There is always, always, always, always, and always something to be grateful for. Always! Sometimes you have to dig deep, but it’s worth digging for. When you discover it, feel it with your with everything you’ve got and then build from there. This is especially important at the beginning of your day. Feeling grateful and appreciative is the fastest way to turn your life around.
Gratitude is the most powerful connection you have to your higher self, God, the divine, Bob or whatever you want to call it. The point is you always want to keep your connection to this higher part of yourself. The stronger your connection, the better you feel. The better you feel the more creative and productive you are. The more creative and productive you are, the better you feel.
When you fully appreciate what you have in the moment, good things come into your life. Why? Because the gratitude bone is connected to the happiness bone, and it’s this fun little cycle that eventually acts as a magnet to attract the things you desire most, whatever they might be into your life.
Now I didn’t know this guy personally, but I could tell by that one statement that he embraced a most profound secret about happiness; GRATITUDE! It is essential that as soon as you open your eyes to start your day you put your attention on something or someone you are truly grateful for. And for those of you who are mumbling that you don’t have anything to be grateful for; WRONG!!!!!!
I cannot stress this enough, but I’ll try. There is always, always, always, always, and always something to be grateful for. Always! Sometimes you have to dig deep, but it’s worth digging for. When you discover it, feel it with your with everything you’ve got and then build from there. This is especially important at the beginning of your day. Feeling grateful and appreciative is the fastest way to turn your life around.
Gratitude is the most powerful connection you have to your higher self, God, the divine, Bob or whatever you want to call it. The point is you always want to keep your connection to this higher part of yourself. The stronger your connection, the better you feel. The better you feel the more creative and productive you are. The more creative and productive you are, the better you feel.
When you fully appreciate what you have in the moment, good things come into your life. Why? Because the gratitude bone is connected to the happiness bone, and it’s this fun little cycle that eventually acts as a magnet to attract the things you desire most, whatever they might be into your life.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Choose to be Happy Now
Choose to be happy now, no matter what is happening around you. If you wait for something else to change first, you don't stand a chance at happiness.
How's that for delivering the truth?
How's that for delivering the truth?
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Your Higher Self
The real purpose of frustration isn’t to frustrate you.
It’s to push you to align with your higher-self, Steve Rizzo.
http://bit.ly/kaDw4M
It’s to push you to align with your higher-self, Steve Rizzo.
http://bit.ly/kaDw4M
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Which One Are You Feeding
Recently I was on a flight from New York to Portland Oregon. This doesn’t happen too often, but the service was exceptionally good. There was one flight attendant in particular who stood out from the rest. His smile was genuine. What I mean is that I had a sense that he smiled because he wanted to, not because it was expected of him. Believe me I can tell the difference.
What really impressed me was the manner in which he introduced himself to everyone as they were entering the first class cabin. “Hi, my name is Jeff and I will be serving you this morning. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Throughout the entire flight he went out of his way to make sure that everyone’s needs were taken care of. At the end of the flight, he approached each row and said, “Thank you for flying with us today. It was a pleasure serving you.”
As everyone was deplaning, I approached Jeff and thanked him for the great service. His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “You really love what you do, don’t you?” I said. His reply, “Mr. Rizzo I’ve been doing this for over a year now and I can honestly say that I couldn’t be happier. I love to travel, I love people and I love to serve.
He went on to tell me that before he was a flight attendant he was a Tax Attorney. “The money was great.” He said, “But I was miserable.” Now I wake up every morning with a smile on my face. Now I honestly believe I’m fulfilling my purpose.
Here’s my point dear reader. Sometimes what we think we want in life isn’t what we really need to be truly happy and successful. More often than not, what you want feeds the Ego. When you fulfill your needs, you feed your Soul. Which one are you feeding?
What really impressed me was the manner in which he introduced himself to everyone as they were entering the first class cabin. “Hi, my name is Jeff and I will be serving you this morning. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Throughout the entire flight he went out of his way to make sure that everyone’s needs were taken care of. At the end of the flight, he approached each row and said, “Thank you for flying with us today. It was a pleasure serving you.”
As everyone was deplaning, I approached Jeff and thanked him for the great service. His eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. “You really love what you do, don’t you?” I said. His reply, “Mr. Rizzo I’ve been doing this for over a year now and I can honestly say that I couldn’t be happier. I love to travel, I love people and I love to serve.
He went on to tell me that before he was a flight attendant he was a Tax Attorney. “The money was great.” He said, “But I was miserable.” Now I wake up every morning with a smile on my face. Now I honestly believe I’m fulfilling my purpose.
Here’s my point dear reader. Sometimes what we think we want in life isn’t what we really need to be truly happy and successful. More often than not, what you want feeds the Ego. When you fulfill your needs, you feed your Soul. Which one are you feeding?
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
America’s Collective Humor Being
A few weeks after 9/11, I experienced an inward glow when I witnessed America’s collective Humor Being helping us to shift our focus away from the pain. Not only was Osama Bin Laden being bombarded by air strikes, but also by punch lines. Late night television hosts like Jay Leno led the attack and helped us all to laugh off the fear. Osama goes to a fortune teller to find out how long he has to live. The fortune-teller informs him that he will die on a famous American holiday. "Which one?" Bin Laden asks. "Whatever day you die will be a famous American holiday," the fortune-teller replies. The healing of America began to flourish the day we adjusted our attitudes and made the shift to laugh off the fear. ”
Yes, Osama Bin Laden is now dead and the entire country is celebrating. But let us not forget that we are still at the mercy of a group of religious fanatics, who have no regard for human life, including their own. And whose mission in life is to instill fear. On top of all of this we are in harsh economic times, political change and a news media that constantly reminds us how bad and dangerous things are. Yes, we are all being forced to live a new normal. The ones who will ultimately prevail are the ones who will deal with the fear factor and adapt. I guarantee you; those who do adapt are the ones that make conscious choices to shift their focus, their beliefs and their way of thinking. Guess what? Humor can help us to make the shifts that are necessary to move forward with hope and confidence.
Terrorists everywhere need to know that they can knock down our buildings, but they cannot kill the SPIRIT that constitutes who we are. THE SPIRIT LIVES ON!! If we don’t allow ourselves to laugh off the fear, terror always wins, no matter what guise it comes in. We all have a Humor Being within us. Your Humor Being is of your higher self, it is the part of you that brings out the best in you, especially when times are tough. Use it and live free.
Yes, Osama Bin Laden is now dead and the entire country is celebrating. But let us not forget that we are still at the mercy of a group of religious fanatics, who have no regard for human life, including their own. And whose mission in life is to instill fear. On top of all of this we are in harsh economic times, political change and a news media that constantly reminds us how bad and dangerous things are. Yes, we are all being forced to live a new normal. The ones who will ultimately prevail are the ones who will deal with the fear factor and adapt. I guarantee you; those who do adapt are the ones that make conscious choices to shift their focus, their beliefs and their way of thinking. Guess what? Humor can help us to make the shifts that are necessary to move forward with hope and confidence.
Terrorists everywhere need to know that they can knock down our buildings, but they cannot kill the SPIRIT that constitutes who we are. THE SPIRIT LIVES ON!! If we don’t allow ourselves to laugh off the fear, terror always wins, no matter what guise it comes in. We all have a Humor Being within us. Your Humor Being is of your higher self, it is the part of you that brings out the best in you, especially when times are tough. Use it and live free.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE LAUGHTER
There is nothing like laughter that can instantly shift your mind into a good mood and help you to bounce back to enjoy the day.
Not even sex has the same power- and this is coming from someone of the male gender. What I mean is that, to most men sex is like pizza. When it's hot, it's great. When it's cold....it's still great.
Not even sex has the same power- and this is coming from someone of the male gender. What I mean is that, to most men sex is like pizza. When it's hot, it's great. When it's cold....it's still great.
Monday, April 4, 2011
A Salute to Nurses Everywhere - Worth Repeating
The Happiest people don't always have the best of everything: they just make the most of everything that comes along.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The Goal is Just a Gift
For those of you who think that achieving the goal is the most important attribute to success, you are wrong.
Achievement does not make the person. The goal is just a gift. It's how you've lived and what you've done to achieve the goal that brings value to it. It's the challenges that dare you to learn and grow that make you who you are.
It's the people you meet and the relationships you make along the way. When you choose to adhere to this creed, then you will have no problem appreciating and enjoying what you have, because you will be fully aware of how you earned it.
Achievement does not make the person. The goal is just a gift. It's how you've lived and what you've done to achieve the goal that brings value to it. It's the challenges that dare you to learn and grow that make you who you are.
It's the people you meet and the relationships you make along the way. When you choose to adhere to this creed, then you will have no problem appreciating and enjoying what you have, because you will be fully aware of how you earned it.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Don't Relinquish Your Control
Too many people relinquish control of their lives and accept their circumstances for what they might seem to be. Why? They don't know they have a choice, the tools, the power, or the know-how to confront their fears and challenges head on.
I am telling you that you do. You always have a choice, you may not be able to control what happens to you, but you can always choose how to respond. You can always choose the state of mind that you need to be in when times get tough. Even if you do loose control, you can always choose at some point to bounce back.
If you say that you don't have a choice - that is your choice.
~by Steve Rizzo
I am telling you that you do. You always have a choice, you may not be able to control what happens to you, but you can always choose how to respond. You can always choose the state of mind that you need to be in when times get tough. Even if you do loose control, you can always choose at some point to bounce back.
If you say that you don't have a choice - that is your choice.
~by Steve Rizzo
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
I Believe In Miracles
Someone asked me the other day if I believed in miracles and divine intervention.
Without missing a beat I said, “Yes.” I also believe that when times are tough, especially when the odds are against us, we all have opportunities to perform our own miracles.
It's a matter of how you perceive and meet the challenge.
Without missing a beat I said, “Yes.” I also believe that when times are tough, especially when the odds are against us, we all have opportunities to perform our own miracles.
It's a matter of how you perceive and meet the challenge.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
For Your Sake
For your sake, especially during though times get into the habit of choosing positive thoughts and speaking empowering words.
Focus on hope, gratitude and seeing the good during adverse times, and you will discover a brighter day, regardless of what is happening to you.
Focus on hope, gratitude and seeing the good during adverse times, and you will discover a brighter day, regardless of what is happening to you.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Nothing In Life Is Wasted
On of the most valuable lessons I've learned is that nothing in life is wasted if I view it as a lesson learned. I needed every experience to help me grow. And I mean every single experience; the good and the bad, the successes and the failures, the pain and the glory.
I now understand that every step I took, whether forward or backward, was necessary to prepare me to recognize and receive whatever gift was given to me at the time.
Yes, sometimes life is a big pain in the ass. But if you learn the lessons along the way, eventually the pain will not only dissipate, but it can become a great blessing.
I now understand that every step I took, whether forward or backward, was necessary to prepare me to recognize and receive whatever gift was given to me at the time.
Yes, sometimes life is a big pain in the ass. But if you learn the lessons along the way, eventually the pain will not only dissipate, but it can become a great blessing.
Friday, February 11, 2011
About Positive People
For those of you who think otherwise; Positive people do not get a free pass from life's pain. They simply have ways of feeling the pain, recognizing the situation calls for a new viewpoint, and shifting their perspective. When the tears are gone they choose to seek the joy that the world still has to offer. Guess what? We all have the power to do this!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Resilience & Bouncing Back
The path towards the goal is where your life unfolds and happiness becomes truyly meaningful. ~Steve Rizzo
Thursday, January 20, 2011
When Shift Happens
Life is an ongoing obstacle course, always challenging you to be the best you can be. Each obstacle, no matter how big or small, is an opportunity for you to make the choice to shift your perspective and view it through the eyes of hope and peace.
This is what acquiring a positive attitude is all about. This is what builds your character and enables you to grow. This is also why some of your biggest challenges can be blessings in disguise. When shift happen, your life changes. Understanding this is the pathway to success and happiness.
This is what acquiring a positive attitude is all about. This is what builds your character and enables you to grow. This is also why some of your biggest challenges can be blessings in disguise. When shift happen, your life changes. Understanding this is the pathway to success and happiness.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Breaking Negative Beliefs
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
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