People go to comedy clubs because they want to laugh. Why do they want to laugh? The same reason they have sex. It makes them feel good. That's the bottom line. Laughter simply makes you feel good. It charges your inner battery and helps you to cope with tough times. When you laugh, your body releases endorphins. Endorphins are manufactured by the body to relieve pain and reduce stress. Usually produced during periods of extreme stress, endorphins naturally block pain signals produced by the nervous system.
I know what stress is. I fly over 300,000 miles a year. Yes, that's a lot of flying. Sometimes I'm in 7 cities in 10 days. Sometimes I have a half day seminar to give and my butt is dragging. You know the feeling. The one thing that gives me more positive energy, more than anything else is when I turn my Humor Being loose in a public setting. I am known for doing or saying out of the ordinary things in front of complete strangers that totally takes them by surprise. What cracks me up are the people that don't get it or don't know how to respond. Here's an example.
I'm in hotels a great part of my life. And I'm always having fun with hotel staff. Once when I was at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, maid service knocked on my door; when I opened the door the woman said, “Mr. Rizzo can I turn down your bed?” I looked at her and said, “Why, is it too loud?” She didn't get it. You should have seen the look on her face as she walked away mumbling and confused. After she walked away I left my room. When I returned later that night I noticed that they did turn down my bed. I think turn-down-service is a wonderful service, but for the life of me I will never understand the little piece of chocolate that's placed on your pillow. Let's think about this shall we. You're supposed to consume the chocolate before you go to sleep. Hmmm, I started thinking. “Why don't hotel people know what the rest of us know? Chocolate does not help you sleep!” In fact, it has the complete opposite effect! Laughing at the absurdity of this ritual, the comedian in me decided to have a little fun. I called the front desk the next morning. This is the conversation took place.
Front desk person: “How can I be of service this morning, Mr. Rizzo?”
Me: “I'm just calling to thank you for the chocolate that was on my pillow last night. It really helped me sleep.”
Front desk person: “You are most welcome. I'm glad you slept well, Mr. Rizzo. Is there anything else we can do for you sir?”
Me: “Yes, as a matter of fact, there is. I was wondering, maybe tonight, if you could put a vile of crack and a pot of coffee on my pillow. I think that will help me sleep!” Wait until you hear the response I got.
Front desk person: “Oh, I don't think we can do that! First of all crack is illegal! And as far as the coffee goes, all you need to do is call room service before you retire!”
Yep; that's right, another one just didn't get it. But just because they don't get it doesn't mean I can't have fun. I can't stress to you enough how turning my Humor Being loose and laughing at situations I create lifts my spirits. And it's even an extra boost when others are laughing along with me.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Scars can remind us of where we've been, they don't have to dictate where we're going! Happy New Year, it's yours to put to good use!!
Monday, December 28, 2009
IF YOU CAN FIND HUMOR IN ANYTHING...
Years ago, I was watching a television news special. Dan Rather was interviewing Bill Cosby only weeks after his son was murdered. After sharing his grief over his son's death, the comedian was asked what I thought was a very difficult, if not unfair, question. “Now that Bill Cosby's son is no longer with us,” said Rather “what is Bill Cosby going to do with the rest of his life?” Cosby contemplated the question for a few seconds and confidently said, “I think it’s time for me to tell the people that we have to laugh. We've got to laugh. You can turn painful situations around through laughter. If you can find humor in anything...you can survive it.” I think that about says it all!!!!!
Laugh It Off Productions, Rizz's Biz
http://www.steverizzo.com
steve@steverizzo.com
http://twitter.com/AttitudeAdj
Laugh It Off Productions, Rizz's Biz
http://www.steverizzo.com
steve@steverizzo.com
http://twitter.com/AttitudeAdj
Friday, December 18, 2009
Failing At Something
Failing at something doesn't matter - It's how You Deal with it that does! http://www.steverizzo.com/SteveRizzosSecretMinuteToSuccess.aspx?vid=2
Thursday, December 17, 2009
NEVER LOSE HOPE
Never lose Hope - Even the smallest Light Shines in the darkness.
http://www.steverizzo.com/SteveRizzosSecretMinuteToSuccess.aspx?vid=1
http://www.steverizzo.com/SteveRizzosSecretMinuteToSuccess.aspx?vid=1
Thursday, December 10, 2009
For Those Who Are Still Waiting
Time
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way
Tired of lying in the sunshine, staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run and you run, to catch up with the sun, but it’s sinking
And racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you’re older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
The above words were written by musician and song writer, Roger Waters. I believe everyone should have a copy of these lyrics hanging somewhere in their home or office as a reminder to take advantage of the time we have on this planet.
Time is something most of us take for granted. Especially the young, they have so much of it to spare. But as we become older we are acutely aware that we are using up yet another day, another season, another year. Misuse of our time is a major reason for so much of our unhappiness.
Our lives are based on choices. If we want to fulfill our dreams and desires we must take responsibility, choose accordingly and then take the appropriate action to achieve them. A lot of people have dreams and ideas for success, but only a few decide to do something about them. There are steps to be taken. There is always a process involved. That process, whatever it is always begins with you. If you are serious about making your life a meaningful journey then you simply must take action.
It is of extreme importance that you remember that your thoughts lead to every action you take. If you are continually creating thoughts that limit your ability or stifle your self esteem you will not be taking action with the attitude you need to succeed. In fact, habitual negative thinking can stop you from taking action all together.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or what you’ve done with your life up until this point. It makes no difference how much time you feel you’ve wasted or how many opportunities you have allowed to pass you by or how many heartaches and disappointments you’ve had. What really matters is what you are willing to do with your life from this point on. Not tomorrow. Not next week, but today. Right now you have an opportunity to turn your life around. You can take advantage and choose to utilize time to work for you. It is possible for you to achieve the things you desire. All it takes is a commitment on your part to take that necessary first step.
If you’ve been procrastinating over a career move make up your mind and take the necessary first step. Perhaps your desire is to lose weight or to sop smoking. Don’t put it off any longer. Stop the excuses. Make up your mind and do it. Maybe you’ve been longing to ask someone for forgiveness or to tell someone how much you care. Do it today; for tomorrow may never come. This list can go on and on, but I think you get the point.
If you are unsatisfied with any aspect of your life, know that you have the power to change. But also know that all change requires movement. Your dreams will always remain dreams unless you take action that is driven by passion. There is always one guarantee when it comes to success. If you don’t try, you will not succeed. Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” I say, “Your life won’t happen until you move.” Waiting for life to shower you with material or spiritual treasures is the slowest most painful of all suicides. Waiting leads to hopelessness. Hopelessness breeds victims.
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day
You fritter and waste the hours in an off hand way
Kicking around on a piece of ground in your home town
Waiting for someone or something to show you the way
Tired of lying in the sunshine, staying home to watch the rain
You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun
And you run and you run, to catch up with the sun, but it’s sinking
And racing around to come up behind you again
The sun is the same in a relative way, but you’re older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death
The above words were written by musician and song writer, Roger Waters. I believe everyone should have a copy of these lyrics hanging somewhere in their home or office as a reminder to take advantage of the time we have on this planet.
Time is something most of us take for granted. Especially the young, they have so much of it to spare. But as we become older we are acutely aware that we are using up yet another day, another season, another year. Misuse of our time is a major reason for so much of our unhappiness.
Our lives are based on choices. If we want to fulfill our dreams and desires we must take responsibility, choose accordingly and then take the appropriate action to achieve them. A lot of people have dreams and ideas for success, but only a few decide to do something about them. There are steps to be taken. There is always a process involved. That process, whatever it is always begins with you. If you are serious about making your life a meaningful journey then you simply must take action.
It is of extreme importance that you remember that your thoughts lead to every action you take. If you are continually creating thoughts that limit your ability or stifle your self esteem you will not be taking action with the attitude you need to succeed. In fact, habitual negative thinking can stop you from taking action all together.
It doesn’t matter how old you are or what you’ve done with your life up until this point. It makes no difference how much time you feel you’ve wasted or how many opportunities you have allowed to pass you by or how many heartaches and disappointments you’ve had. What really matters is what you are willing to do with your life from this point on. Not tomorrow. Not next week, but today. Right now you have an opportunity to turn your life around. You can take advantage and choose to utilize time to work for you. It is possible for you to achieve the things you desire. All it takes is a commitment on your part to take that necessary first step.
If you’ve been procrastinating over a career move make up your mind and take the necessary first step. Perhaps your desire is to lose weight or to sop smoking. Don’t put it off any longer. Stop the excuses. Make up your mind and do it. Maybe you’ve been longing to ask someone for forgiveness or to tell someone how much you care. Do it today; for tomorrow may never come. This list can go on and on, but I think you get the point.
If you are unsatisfied with any aspect of your life, know that you have the power to change. But also know that all change requires movement. Your dreams will always remain dreams unless you take action that is driven by passion. There is always one guarantee when it comes to success. If you don’t try, you will not succeed. Albert Einstein said, “Nothing happens until something moves.” I say, “Your life won’t happen until you move.” Waiting for life to shower you with material or spiritual treasures is the slowest most painful of all suicides. Waiting leads to hopelessness. Hopelessness breeds victims.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Better Left to Chance
Holding you, I held everything
For a moment, wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say , you know I might have changed it all
And now I”m glad I didn't know
The way it all would end, the way it all would go
Our lives, are better left in chance, I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to missed the dance
The above lyrics, are from a song called “The Dance,” sung by Garth Brooks. This song simply and beautifully states that it's not the outcome or what happens to us that validates our lives, but rather; it's what we do and how we feel along the way that gives our lives meaning. We will never know who we are or what splendor life has to offer unless we jump in and participate in the dance. Yes, you may be entering unknown territory, but that's where the adventure is. You may be on top one day and suddenly fall the next but think about this. Isn't it better to fall than not to try at all?
We can strategically plan our lives, make careful use of our choices and take what we think are the appropriate actions to fulfill the ideal life we want, but there is absolutely no way of knowing with certainty what will happen. There are just too many variables and unexpected twists and turns that come into play. There is no sure way of knowing how our lives will wind up. Well guess what? We're not supposed to. If we did, the thrill of life would cease to exist.
As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” Ironically, as you know the unexpected did happen to him. After years of inner turmoil and isolation from fame and the music business, John Lennon got his life together and came out of seclusion. He was making a huge comeback when he was suddenly killed by a crazed fan. This happened within weeks after his new album – ironically entitled - “Starting Over” - hit the top of the charts.
I can't help but wonder; what if John Lennon somehow knew that his life would be taken by an assassin's bullet? How would he have lived the rest of his life? Would he have come out of seclusion and into limelight again? Or would he have stopped dancing to the song in his heart and suppressed his potential, he's creativity, his soul and the very essence of who he was?
Our lives are better in chance simply because if we knew the outcome we would be tempted to override the gifts of choice and free will. ( No, not Free Willy. Free will.) If we altered our lives because we knew of our fate beforehand we would never know our true potential. Our experiences would be limited for fear of moving forward.
If we possessed the magical power to see into the future and know the outcome of a particular road we chose to follow, our lives would be boring – to say the least. We would be unchallenged to discover our essence. We would be robbing ourselves of the events that cause us to grow. It is the combination of our victories, successes, and happy moments – as well as our disappointments, failures and heartaches that make up the ingredients to the recipe of our lives. It's in the not-knowing - the uncertainty that makes our lives worthwhile.
Awhile back I was watching The Super Bowl at a hotel I was staying at. There were well over 100 people in the lounge area. Everyone was yelling and cheering for their team to win. It was an incredibly close game. Every time a team scored or made a great play, fans would jump out of their seats and cheer them on. It was obvious that everyone was excited and enjoying themselves. But that excitement and enjoyment was coming from the anticipation of not knowing which team was going to prove to be victorious.
My question to you, dear reader, is this – what would be the point in watching The Super Bowl or any other sporting event if we knew beforehand which team would win? Who could deny that it's in the not-knowing that makes it exciting? It's the same with our lives which have often been referred to as a game. Unlike any other game however; the goal in the game of life is not to win or to be the best, but rather it's to follow our hearts and to experience, learn, grow and become.
For a moment, wasn't I the king
But if I'd only known how the king would fall
Hey who's to say , you know I might have changed it all
And now I”m glad I didn't know
The way it all would end, the way it all would go
Our lives, are better left in chance, I could have missed the pain
But I'd of had to missed the dance
The above lyrics, are from a song called “The Dance,” sung by Garth Brooks. This song simply and beautifully states that it's not the outcome or what happens to us that validates our lives, but rather; it's what we do and how we feel along the way that gives our lives meaning. We will never know who we are or what splendor life has to offer unless we jump in and participate in the dance. Yes, you may be entering unknown territory, but that's where the adventure is. You may be on top one day and suddenly fall the next but think about this. Isn't it better to fall than not to try at all?
We can strategically plan our lives, make careful use of our choices and take what we think are the appropriate actions to fulfill the ideal life we want, but there is absolutely no way of knowing with certainty what will happen. There are just too many variables and unexpected twists and turns that come into play. There is no sure way of knowing how our lives will wind up. Well guess what? We're not supposed to. If we did, the thrill of life would cease to exist.
As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.” Ironically, as you know the unexpected did happen to him. After years of inner turmoil and isolation from fame and the music business, John Lennon got his life together and came out of seclusion. He was making a huge comeback when he was suddenly killed by a crazed fan. This happened within weeks after his new album – ironically entitled - “Starting Over” - hit the top of the charts.
I can't help but wonder; what if John Lennon somehow knew that his life would be taken by an assassin's bullet? How would he have lived the rest of his life? Would he have come out of seclusion and into limelight again? Or would he have stopped dancing to the song in his heart and suppressed his potential, he's creativity, his soul and the very essence of who he was?
Our lives are better in chance simply because if we knew the outcome we would be tempted to override the gifts of choice and free will. ( No, not Free Willy. Free will.) If we altered our lives because we knew of our fate beforehand we would never know our true potential. Our experiences would be limited for fear of moving forward.
If we possessed the magical power to see into the future and know the outcome of a particular road we chose to follow, our lives would be boring – to say the least. We would be unchallenged to discover our essence. We would be robbing ourselves of the events that cause us to grow. It is the combination of our victories, successes, and happy moments – as well as our disappointments, failures and heartaches that make up the ingredients to the recipe of our lives. It's in the not-knowing - the uncertainty that makes our lives worthwhile.
Awhile back I was watching The Super Bowl at a hotel I was staying at. There were well over 100 people in the lounge area. Everyone was yelling and cheering for their team to win. It was an incredibly close game. Every time a team scored or made a great play, fans would jump out of their seats and cheer them on. It was obvious that everyone was excited and enjoying themselves. But that excitement and enjoyment was coming from the anticipation of not knowing which team was going to prove to be victorious.
My question to you, dear reader, is this – what would be the point in watching The Super Bowl or any other sporting event if we knew beforehand which team would win? Who could deny that it's in the not-knowing that makes it exciting? It's the same with our lives which have often been referred to as a game. Unlike any other game however; the goal in the game of life is not to win or to be the best, but rather it's to follow our hearts and to experience, learn, grow and become.
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