Years ago, I attended the wake and funeral services of a friend who was killed in a car crash. He was loved by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. I have been to many wakes, viewings, funeral services and memorials throughout the course of my life, but there was something special about this one in particular. An awareness came over me that caused me to view the losses in my life from a different perspective.
When the funeral service was over, a group of us met at a relatives house. As you can imagine, people were wiping away tears and consoling one another. Some were understandably having difficulty accepting the unfair twist of fate that life had thrust upon him. We all were.
From across the room, I overheard an acquaintance telling part of a story that I was familiar with about our friend when he was in high school. I noticed that a few people were laughing along with it. Then someone else joined in on the conversation and offered an anecdote about the dearly departed's affinity for football. Before long, everyone in the room was laughing and reminiscing about the good times they had. In the midst of all the laughter, I had a strange, uplifting feeling come to me. This feeling can best be described as a smile from within. I realized I was no longer grieving over my friend.
My energy immediately shifted and I was temporarily delivered from my pain. At that moment, I think we all felt a special connection to him. In fact, his wife said, "You know I miss him and always will, but right now, I feel like a part of him is with us and always will be." Then she paused and said, "It's as if he's saying to all of us, It's okay. I'm okay. Everything is as it should be and I will always be with you."
Of course, we all started crying again, but this time, they were tears of hope. At that given moment his death was not the point of focus. The only thing that mattered was the powerful feeling we were all experiencing. We were celebrating and embracing the spirit of our love for him. It was our ability to laugh and reminisce about the good times that ignited that powerful sense of his spirit. In such a short time, our Humor Beings took us from a place of pain and uncertainty to a place of inner peace and hope. Laughter made us realize that, throughout our life journey there are no goodbyes, only good memories. The spirit moves on, and we all move on, in turn, in life. We all felt the smile from within that day. I believe laughter derives from the spirit. It has a magical way of breaking down barriers that make us feel like we are alone and reminds us that somehow we are all connected. We all have fear and pain to deal with. It's part of life, period. Laughter has a way, though of smoothing out the wrinkles and gives us enough hope and peace to move on.
Suffering may not be unavoidable, but just plain suffering can be avoided. Finding the laughter in between the tough times is essential to living a happier life. It's your Humor Being, urging you and reminding you that life still goes on, regardless of whether you like the way it goes or not. There will be good times and bad times, but in the end, all you'll really leave behind are memories. So you might as well attempt to enjoy them all!!!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
UNLEASH THE POWER OF YOUR "HUMOR BEING"
We're living in a world that's moving incredibly fast. On top of our personal problems and everyday pressures, we read the newspapers and watch the evening newscasts to learn that corporations are being forced to downsize and massive technological advancements in the workplace are causing people to drastically change their lives. Cell phones, Blackberry's, e-mails, text messages, and even micro-communication applications like Twitter are clogging our minds with an overwhelming amount of information, leaving us with little or no time to relax, unwind, and focus our attention on the big picture.
To compound this, political unrest, crime, disease, prejudice, and violence are running rampant, as they have done for decades on end. The divorce rate is at an all time high and war seems to be the only answer to remedy differences between nations. It's really no wonder why so many of us have to be medicated in some way or another in order to cope with the madness we have created!
We all need something to reduce the tension, the fast pace that we are subjected to everyday. I honestly believe that our ability to occasionally laugh off the major and minor tensions in our lives is crucial in order for us to survive the insanity. I'm not suggesting, I'm telling you that we have to take time out each day and laugh. Why do you think that people go to the comedy clubs? Because they want to laugh. Why do they want laugh? The same reason they have sex, it simply makes them feel good. A physiological and mental reaction takes place when you laugh. Laughter charges your inner battery and helps you to cope with the tough times. Even if you are having a really bad day, when you laugh life doesn't seem that bad after all.
This is why I urge you to unleash the power of your Humor Being on a daily basis. Right now you're probably wondering, "Great Steve, but what is a "Humor Being?" That, I can explain. Let me start off by saying that I believe that everyone on this planet is born with a Humor Being within them. Unfortunately some people live their entire lives without ever knowing they have the power to change their attitude by laughing, let alone how to tap into it and make it work for them.
Your Humor Being is one facet of your higher self. It's the part of you that brings out the best when times get tough. What your Humor Being can give you more than anything else is emotional stability and peace of mind.
I want you to take a few moments right now and think of the challenges you are faced with every day, personally and professionally. Now I want you to focus on a particular problem you may have at home or at work: health issues, financial problems, divorce, job security, or anything that is a current cause for concern. Pay particular attention to the emotions you are feeling as a result, such as worry, anxiety, anger or fear and notice how difficult it is not to take your problems from home to work and vice-a-versa. Not only is it important to know you have a Humor Being within you, it is essential that you use it everyday throughout your entire life. Your Humor Being will save you from despair time and time again, and before you know it, you won't need saving quite as often. Invoking your Humor Being as a habit will turn you into a better person with a brighter outlook. We go through our lives and we allow unfortunate situations, unlucky circumstances, and foul people to suck the energy right out of us, because we don't know that we have the tools that can help us cope well or even heal ourselves after bad encounters. One such tool in your Humor Being. Those who live in harmony with their Humor Being always see the brighter alternative to a negative situation. They embrace change more easily and make conscious choices to enjoy themselves during the process. Your natural state is that of joy and inner peace. It's your responsibility to stay connected to that state each and every day throughout your entire life. It's your Humor Being's job to help you stay connected.
To compound this, political unrest, crime, disease, prejudice, and violence are running rampant, as they have done for decades on end. The divorce rate is at an all time high and war seems to be the only answer to remedy differences between nations. It's really no wonder why so many of us have to be medicated in some way or another in order to cope with the madness we have created!
We all need something to reduce the tension, the fast pace that we are subjected to everyday. I honestly believe that our ability to occasionally laugh off the major and minor tensions in our lives is crucial in order for us to survive the insanity. I'm not suggesting, I'm telling you that we have to take time out each day and laugh. Why do you think that people go to the comedy clubs? Because they want to laugh. Why do they want laugh? The same reason they have sex, it simply makes them feel good. A physiological and mental reaction takes place when you laugh. Laughter charges your inner battery and helps you to cope with the tough times. Even if you are having a really bad day, when you laugh life doesn't seem that bad after all.
This is why I urge you to unleash the power of your Humor Being on a daily basis. Right now you're probably wondering, "Great Steve, but what is a "Humor Being?" That, I can explain. Let me start off by saying that I believe that everyone on this planet is born with a Humor Being within them. Unfortunately some people live their entire lives without ever knowing they have the power to change their attitude by laughing, let alone how to tap into it and make it work for them.
Your Humor Being is one facet of your higher self. It's the part of you that brings out the best when times get tough. What your Humor Being can give you more than anything else is emotional stability and peace of mind.
I want you to take a few moments right now and think of the challenges you are faced with every day, personally and professionally. Now I want you to focus on a particular problem you may have at home or at work: health issues, financial problems, divorce, job security, or anything that is a current cause for concern. Pay particular attention to the emotions you are feeling as a result, such as worry, anxiety, anger or fear and notice how difficult it is not to take your problems from home to work and vice-a-versa. Not only is it important to know you have a Humor Being within you, it is essential that you use it everyday throughout your entire life. Your Humor Being will save you from despair time and time again, and before you know it, you won't need saving quite as often. Invoking your Humor Being as a habit will turn you into a better person with a brighter outlook. We go through our lives and we allow unfortunate situations, unlucky circumstances, and foul people to suck the energy right out of us, because we don't know that we have the tools that can help us cope well or even heal ourselves after bad encounters. One such tool in your Humor Being. Those who live in harmony with their Humor Being always see the brighter alternative to a negative situation. They embrace change more easily and make conscious choices to enjoy themselves during the process. Your natural state is that of joy and inner peace. It's your responsibility to stay connected to that state each and every day throughout your entire life. It's your Humor Being's job to help you stay connected.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Speak Words that Empower You
Thoughts are one thing. Sometimes, you can even convince yourself that you're not being very negative, especially when the situation really calls for some good old fashioned angst. Words are an entirely different and often times more powerful animal. We need to be especially careful about the words we speak out loud when things aren't going the way we want. Yes, it's true that what you think is what you get, but what you say out loud in the midst of troubling times has even greater impact on how long you stay in those situations and how deeply you are affected by the situation. If you're always describing your problems with defeatist language, don't be surprised if you live in constant turmoil and you feel like you are constantly saying, "I never get a break", "I'm not lucky", and "Good things never happen to me". What do you expect? These words are not only self defeating in the moment, but they keep you from seeing possibilities to a brighter outcome or finding solutions to problems.
The inevitability that your words will affect your attitude and thus your situation, is spiritual law that always works to perfection, whether what you are saying is positive or negative. The moment you open up your mouth to say something, you ignite the beginning stages that lead to enormous creative power. You can create your own reality with your words, ultimately building high walls that keep you trapped in or bridges that can help you escape your situation gracefully. Again, the choice is yours, but do understand this: You will never be able to see the escape from a hole of negativity by voicing more of the same. Either wallow in it or give yourself a fighting chance to get out.
The inevitability that your words will affect your attitude and thus your situation, is spiritual law that always works to perfection, whether what you are saying is positive or negative. The moment you open up your mouth to say something, you ignite the beginning stages that lead to enormous creative power. You can create your own reality with your words, ultimately building high walls that keep you trapped in or bridges that can help you escape your situation gracefully. Again, the choice is yours, but do understand this: You will never be able to see the escape from a hole of negativity by voicing more of the same. Either wallow in it or give yourself a fighting chance to get out.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
What It Means To Be Positive
Anyone can tell you that one key to living a happy, successful life is having a positive attitude, especially during adverse times. I know that sometimes there just isn't justification for all the unfortunate things that happen to us. But I also know that we all have what it takes to deal with misfortune when it occurs. This is what acquiring a positive attitude is all about. It's about fortifying yourself for a fight with a very real enemy: Your own negativity.
I know this is much easier-said-than-done. I know that sometimes it seems impossible to stand tall and be positive when it feels like your world is falling apart around you. Yet this is something that can be achieved, and it's an attitude that's worth acquiring and keeping sharp. Who knows? Your life may depend on it some day.
The word "positive" seems to frustrate a lot of people. I hear people say, "How do you expect me to be positive when nothing in my life is working?" Or, "It's easy for you to be positive and feel blessed. You didn't lose someone you love."
Maybe we should consider a more realistic interpretation of what it means to be positive. Being positive isn't always a Disney movie. I have learned that being positive isn't always about feeling good. Oddly, it's healthy to feel bad sometimes. That's a good thing. That means you're not a robot. Are you with me? And being positive doesn't mean we never make mistakes. True positivism is knowing that we learn from making these mistakes and move forward with an optimism that we are better people for having made them, richer, deeper, and more resilient than before. Being positive doesn't mean that we should always smile and enjoy every moment of our lives. Give me a break! It's knowing that sometimes it's okay to cry, mourn, and feel sad. You don't always have to be in control of your emotions. Sometimes it's okay to get angry and lose your temper. Don't worry, your positivity license won't be revoked.
People who are generally positive have problems just like everyone else. What separates the chronically positive from everyone else is that they know that their problems are simply part of the process of life. After, and sometimes during, a crisis positive people respond to a habitual mechanism that enables them to pay attention to parts of their lives that don't make them want to spontaneously burst into tears in the middles of the produce aisle. They find a way to shift their perspective and hold on to only the things that bring them joy. This is the quality that keeps them from feeling victimized. Pain is unavoidable, but to a person with a positive attitude, that's all it is: Pain, simple, temporary and uncompounded by doubt and comparisons to past experience.
Positive people instinctively know that adversity is necessary in order for them to grow. We are here on Earth to experience, learn, grow, and become the person we are meant to become. It can't be stressed enough that the filter through which you view experience ultimately determines who you become. How we choose to experience what happens to us, be it good or bad, will determine what we learn. What we learn determines how we grow, and this continued growth is what shapes who and what we become. If we can comprehend this, it will help free us from feeling victimized when times are tough, and just maybe help you to compare a challenging situation with a pop quiz in Life: 101, rather than , say, the apocalypse.
I know this is much easier-said-than-done. I know that sometimes it seems impossible to stand tall and be positive when it feels like your world is falling apart around you. Yet this is something that can be achieved, and it's an attitude that's worth acquiring and keeping sharp. Who knows? Your life may depend on it some day.
The word "positive" seems to frustrate a lot of people. I hear people say, "How do you expect me to be positive when nothing in my life is working?" Or, "It's easy for you to be positive and feel blessed. You didn't lose someone you love."
Maybe we should consider a more realistic interpretation of what it means to be positive. Being positive isn't always a Disney movie. I have learned that being positive isn't always about feeling good. Oddly, it's healthy to feel bad sometimes. That's a good thing. That means you're not a robot. Are you with me? And being positive doesn't mean we never make mistakes. True positivism is knowing that we learn from making these mistakes and move forward with an optimism that we are better people for having made them, richer, deeper, and more resilient than before. Being positive doesn't mean that we should always smile and enjoy every moment of our lives. Give me a break! It's knowing that sometimes it's okay to cry, mourn, and feel sad. You don't always have to be in control of your emotions. Sometimes it's okay to get angry and lose your temper. Don't worry, your positivity license won't be revoked.
People who are generally positive have problems just like everyone else. What separates the chronically positive from everyone else is that they know that their problems are simply part of the process of life. After, and sometimes during, a crisis positive people respond to a habitual mechanism that enables them to pay attention to parts of their lives that don't make them want to spontaneously burst into tears in the middles of the produce aisle. They find a way to shift their perspective and hold on to only the things that bring them joy. This is the quality that keeps them from feeling victimized. Pain is unavoidable, but to a person with a positive attitude, that's all it is: Pain, simple, temporary and uncompounded by doubt and comparisons to past experience.
Positive people instinctively know that adversity is necessary in order for them to grow. We are here on Earth to experience, learn, grow, and become the person we are meant to become. It can't be stressed enough that the filter through which you view experience ultimately determines who you become. How we choose to experience what happens to us, be it good or bad, will determine what we learn. What we learn determines how we grow, and this continued growth is what shapes who and what we become. If we can comprehend this, it will help free us from feeling victimized when times are tough, and just maybe help you to compare a challenging situation with a pop quiz in Life: 101, rather than , say, the apocalypse.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
What You Think Is What You Get
I find it absolutely amazing that some people seem to have every advantage within their reach and still manage to destroy their lives and sabotage their success and happiness. Then there are those who seem to have every disadvantage thrown their way and choose to move forward and refuse to go down. They take what appears to be the greatest of challenges and somehow manage to make their lives work and enjoy the process.
It has always been my experience that those who choose the latter alternative somehow, consciously or unconsciously, direct their thoughts to create an empowering belief system that eventually steers them to a brighter outcome.
If there is one thing I would love for you to walk away with more that anything else after reading this article, it would be for you to understand that you have the power to experience any challenge in your life from a healthier perspective. Notice I didn't say some challenges, I said any challenge. How you experience your challenges are by the thoughts that you continually program into your brain day in and day out.
Contrary to what most people believe, it's not the situation, it's not the event, and it's not the circumstance in and of themselves that determine your quality of life. Rather it's the way you think about life's hard times that will minimize or maximize the impact they have on you. Each and every thought that you have can be appraised as to whether it strengthens you or weakens you.
People who are successful and attract wealth into their lives consciously or unconsciously think successful thoughts. Whether they are aware of it or not, they create predominant thoughts of wealth and abundance on a consistent basis. They don't allow negative thoughts of lack and failure to blossom and take over their minds. You can see evidence of this in the people you come in contact with everyday.
Haven't you noticed that those who are always talking about their ailments are always ill. Those who speak about prosperity are prosperous. Those who always talk about how wonderful life is are always happy and so on.
There is no getting away from the fact that the more dominant your thoughts on any subject in your life, the more you solidify your life experience. Whatever you habitually think about or focus on the most will appear in your life.
The Bible says, "As a man thinketh so shall he be". Many people refer to this as the Law of Attraction. Some have come to know it as "The Secret". I'm from New York and I say "What you think is what you get". (Leave it to a New Yorker to tell it like it is!) It really doesn't matter what you call it. All you need to know is that this spiritual law does not know good from bad, right from wrong, or true from false. It does not judge and it doesn't excuse negative thinking. It simply works in accordance to what you're thinking. Like I said, "What you think is what you get". Get it! You need to understand that this powerful law can either make you or break you.
The great poet Milton said, "The mind is its own place and it can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven". What a powerful statement and how true it is. The mind is its own place, but it's important that you understand that your thoughts feed your mind. Those very thoughts are the determining factors that make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven in your life.
It has always been my experience that those who choose the latter alternative somehow, consciously or unconsciously, direct their thoughts to create an empowering belief system that eventually steers them to a brighter outcome.
If there is one thing I would love for you to walk away with more that anything else after reading this article, it would be for you to understand that you have the power to experience any challenge in your life from a healthier perspective. Notice I didn't say some challenges, I said any challenge. How you experience your challenges are by the thoughts that you continually program into your brain day in and day out.
Contrary to what most people believe, it's not the situation, it's not the event, and it's not the circumstance in and of themselves that determine your quality of life. Rather it's the way you think about life's hard times that will minimize or maximize the impact they have on you. Each and every thought that you have can be appraised as to whether it strengthens you or weakens you.
People who are successful and attract wealth into their lives consciously or unconsciously think successful thoughts. Whether they are aware of it or not, they create predominant thoughts of wealth and abundance on a consistent basis. They don't allow negative thoughts of lack and failure to blossom and take over their minds. You can see evidence of this in the people you come in contact with everyday.
Haven't you noticed that those who are always talking about their ailments are always ill. Those who speak about prosperity are prosperous. Those who always talk about how wonderful life is are always happy and so on.
There is no getting away from the fact that the more dominant your thoughts on any subject in your life, the more you solidify your life experience. Whatever you habitually think about or focus on the most will appear in your life.
The Bible says, "As a man thinketh so shall he be". Many people refer to this as the Law of Attraction. Some have come to know it as "The Secret". I'm from New York and I say "What you think is what you get". (Leave it to a New Yorker to tell it like it is!) It really doesn't matter what you call it. All you need to know is that this spiritual law does not know good from bad, right from wrong, or true from false. It does not judge and it doesn't excuse negative thinking. It simply works in accordance to what you're thinking. Like I said, "What you think is what you get". Get it! You need to understand that this powerful law can either make you or break you.
The great poet Milton said, "The mind is its own place and it can make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven". What a powerful statement and how true it is. The mind is its own place, but it's important that you understand that your thoughts feed your mind. Those very thoughts are the determining factors that make a heaven of hell or a hell of heaven in your life.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Hello Fellow Bloggers,
Just thought I would keep you up to date on what's happening in "Rizzo World". I am very proud and excited to announce the launching of a new addition to my Website. It's called Rizzo's Comedy Cellar. Or as my friend Jeffery Gitomer says "Comedy Seller".
Here you can purchase vintage comedy performances from some of my TV and club appearances. The cool thing is that you can down load them in 2 formats MP-2-DVD or I-pod. The choice is yours. Either way I am certain that you will totally enjoy watching and listening to my unbridled sense of humor. Each item has a 20 second preview.
Be warned, some of the material in the Comedy Cellar is rated R and then some. In fact there is a disclaimer before you enter. I also want to make it very clear that I DO NOT use any of the material used in The Comedy Cellar in my speaking programs.
Also for your convenience and listening pleasure, I have created my own voice mail message and ring-tone service. Here you can download Three Stooges, Bullwinkle, Elmer Fudd, an irate Brooklyn guy, and many more. Preview and choose any one you want or several. Have fun with this, that's why it's there.
MOTIVATE THIS:
Contrary to what most people believe, it's not the situation, it's not the event, and it's not our circumstances in and of themselves that determines our quality of life. Rather; it's the way we think about life's hard times that will either minimize or maximize the impact they have on us. Each and every thought that you have can be appraised as to whether it strengthens or weakens you.
Just thought I would keep you up to date on what's happening in "Rizzo World". I am very proud and excited to announce the launching of a new addition to my Website. It's called Rizzo's Comedy Cellar. Or as my friend Jeffery Gitomer says "Comedy Seller".
Here you can purchase vintage comedy performances from some of my TV and club appearances. The cool thing is that you can down load them in 2 formats MP-2-DVD or I-pod. The choice is yours. Either way I am certain that you will totally enjoy watching and listening to my unbridled sense of humor. Each item has a 20 second preview.
Be warned, some of the material in the Comedy Cellar is rated R and then some. In fact there is a disclaimer before you enter. I also want to make it very clear that I DO NOT use any of the material used in The Comedy Cellar in my speaking programs.
Also for your convenience and listening pleasure, I have created my own voice mail message and ring-tone service. Here you can download Three Stooges, Bullwinkle, Elmer Fudd, an irate Brooklyn guy, and many more. Preview and choose any one you want or several. Have fun with this, that's why it's there.
MOTIVATE THIS:
Contrary to what most people believe, it's not the situation, it's not the event, and it's not our circumstances in and of themselves that determines our quality of life. Rather; it's the way we think about life's hard times that will either minimize or maximize the impact they have on us. Each and every thought that you have can be appraised as to whether it strengthens or weakens you.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch July 21, 2008
On July 21, 2008 I was a guest on "The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch on CNBC. The segment title was called, Inside the minds of those who have achieved the American Dream. Other guests included Erin Brockovich, famous for the Academy Award winning movie "Erin Brockovich". Famous Dave Anderson, entrepreneur and multi-millionaire and Paul Stanley former lead singer of the rock group "KISS".
In part the show was about how to become successful, even if you were labeled "Least likely to succeed in high school". The entire experience was a blast and very informative.
One of the producers of CNBC asked me to write a BLOG about my insights on negative labels and this is what I wrote:
OUR LABELS
Our labels, whether positive or negative, derive from the beliefs we have about ourselves and our surrounding world. They start to formulate when we are children and for the most part they are bestowed upon us by our parents, teachers, religious groups, authority figures, peers, etc. All of the beliefs we have about our surrounding world as adults were formulated and programmed from what we learned from our past experiences.
Our success and happiness depends on the intensity of our thoughts. In time, our thoughts create beliefs and labels that reside in our unconscious mind. These labels mold our lives and govern how we react to life's situations. They attract to us the exact results that they represent. We literally create our own reality based on our individual labels.
You might have a label that signifies that you are talented, lucky and good things will always come your way. Or you might have a negative label that signifies that dreams are for more fortunate people and your not one of them. Here's the hard-core reality. Either one of these labels will represent who you think you are. They are the determining factors for the choices you make and the actions you take.
In part the show was about how to become successful, even if you were labeled "Least likely to succeed in high school". The entire experience was a blast and very informative.
One of the producers of CNBC asked me to write a BLOG about my insights on negative labels and this is what I wrote:
OUR LABELS
Our labels, whether positive or negative, derive from the beliefs we have about ourselves and our surrounding world. They start to formulate when we are children and for the most part they are bestowed upon us by our parents, teachers, religious groups, authority figures, peers, etc. All of the beliefs we have about our surrounding world as adults were formulated and programmed from what we learned from our past experiences.
Our success and happiness depends on the intensity of our thoughts. In time, our thoughts create beliefs and labels that reside in our unconscious mind. These labels mold our lives and govern how we react to life's situations. They attract to us the exact results that they represent. We literally create our own reality based on our individual labels.
You might have a label that signifies that you are talented, lucky and good things will always come your way. Or you might have a negative label that signifies that dreams are for more fortunate people and your not one of them. Here's the hard-core reality. Either one of these labels will represent who you think you are. They are the determining factors for the choices you make and the actions you take.
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