Think Bold Pray Bold

Last week Gina and I took a 4 hour drive to my brother Michael's summer home in up-state New York. We both needed some time off, away from the usual hustle and bustle. The drive up was very relaxing. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. I already sensed that 3 days away from work was exactly what I needed.

I was working diligently on a number of projects; finalizing the last chapter of my book, creating the format for my new television special and adding the finishing touches to my cameo commercials. There was a great deal of time and effort put into these projects and I was having some doubts as to weather I was making the right decisions that would lead to a successful outcome.

The following morning I woke up at 4:47 am. I decided to get dressed and walk down to the lake, which is only 25 yards from the house. The view was captivating, equaled only by the silence. Unfortunately, the uncertainties of my projects were still lingering in my mind. I sat down on a rock and said a little prayer.

“I just want to know if I'm making the right decisions regarding my book, television special, and my cameo commercials. And I want to know if they will lead to the success I desire? I'm going to be bold and ask for a specific sign. If the answer to these questions is yes, then I want to see an Eagle soaring by sometime this morning."

When I finished the prayer I didn't have any expectations at all. I simply let it go and sat there in silence. Within 2 minutes the most beautiful Bald Eagle soared down about 20 yards in front of me. It skimmed the lake twice and then landed in a tree to my left. With a smile on my face, I looked up at the messenger to my prayer and said, "Thank you."

Taking Time Off Is Not A Waste Of Time

Lately, I've been hearing a lot people complaining that they are overwhelmed and stressed out over their jobs. One way to remedy work-related stress and overwhelm is to simply take some time off, even for just a short while, and do something that lifts you spirit. Why not? You deserve it!

Unfortunately, there are those who insist that they can't afford to spend time outside of the realm of their jobs and careers. In actuality, when you think of the consequences, you really can't afford not to. Taking time off is not a waste of time. It's a recharging of your inner battery.

This year I've been working diligently on a variety of new projects. These past few weeks I noticed I was feeling very anxious and my optimistic attitude was dissipating. I felt like I wasn't reaping the fruits of my labor fast enough and I had serious doubts they I ever would. It was obvious to me that the door to the "Negative Zone" was wide open and I was about to walk in. I wasn't going to let that happen.

I decided to take a four day weekend off from work, free from e-mails, cell phones, and text messages. In other words, I was putting my career on temporary hold. I promised myself that I would not take my job home with me and I would not make any decisions regarding my new projects. My only goal was to engage in activities that would make me feel good. That's exactly what I did.

Within those four days I read a book, spent quality time with my wife and family members, (4 Labs and 6 Exotic Birds) invited some friends for dinner and laughed my butt off!! These are the very things that nourish my soul and connect me to spirit. Somewhere along the way I lost site of that.

Taking time off was very refreshing to say the least. It made me realize that I was blowing most of my concerns out of proportion. I simply got caught up. We all do from time to time. This special time-out gave me the positive energy I needed to move forward with clarity and confidence.

I'm not asking you to run away from your problems at work. I'm suggesting that you simply step away. When you step away from the worry and chaos that so often comes with success, you are not quitting. You're energizing your spirit. And don't be surprised when you go back to work with solutions to problems and new insights on the very things that were causing you to feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Enjoy The Roses Outside Your Window Today

I just read something from Dale Carnegie and I want to share it with you. "One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon--instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today."

Read that again. I believe this is the main reason why so many people are unhappy today. Waiting for something in the future to make you happy and focusing on what you don't have in the present, will always keep you from enjoying your life now.

I am constantly amazed by the ways that people manage to deny themselves the chance at present happiness. Instead, they fall pray to dangerous mindsets that decrease their potential for happiness. They put their happiness on hold when they repeat and internalize statements like. "I'll be happy when I'm able to retire." or "I would be happy if I made more money." or "When I can finally by a house, I'll be less stressed and I can enjoy myself."

Statements that focus on what you lack in the present or predicate happiness on a future event, assassinate chances at enjoyment as they happen in the moment.

The good news is fresh opportunities to be happy are like a Grand Central Station of life enjoyment. Wait for it...Ah. There's one now, right on time, right in front of you.

The opportunity to be happy has already arrived. It's been there the whole time, right in front of you. For whatever reason, you have been unable to shift your focus and way of thinking to notice it, bless it and appreciate it.

Regardless of what you don't have and no matter what is transpiring to you or around you, there is always something to be grateful for in the moment! ALWAYS!!! Hold on to that something and feel it with your heart and soul. Then notice how much better you feel.

A Change In Direction

Last week I was attending a National Speakers Association conference at The Marriott World Hotel in Orlando FL. On Sunday Evening a group of us were sitting in the lobby area telling stories, laughing and having fun. Then someone said, "Hey Steve, why did you quit stand-up-comedy? I always thought you were one of the best and I was a big fan."

Everyone was staring and waiting for my response. I paused for a few moments, thanked him for the compliment and then I answered his question. "I never quit stand-up-comedy. I simply changed directions. I guess you could say I had a calling to do something else."

That wasn't the first time I was asked that question. I know it won't be the last. There have been times when I wondered where I would be today had I continued to pursue my comedy career. But one thing is certain; I have no regrets. I made the right decision.

Yes, I did walk away from a promising career as stand-up-comedian. No, it wasn't easy. In fact it was very difficult. One thing I learned throughout this entire process is that just because you're very good at something, doesn't mean it's what you're supposed to do.

I now offer a unique and insightful perspective on the journey that brought me to where I stand today. My quest to remove the boundaries that were keeping me from the life I truly desired has brought my work full circle. I now understand that all of my past experiences were necessary to prepare me for my true calling. To help people learn how to be happy and successful, no matter what their circumstances are.

I have spent much of my life learning how to pursue and achieve my own definition of success. That definition has evolved to include showing others my blueprint for realizing their dreams; achieving personal and professional excellence, regardless of the labels they are currently wearing. Yes I'm still funny, but if they laugh while they learn, then that's just an added bonus.

Lessons Learned

If you've been following my blog, you know that my dad passed away a few weeks ago. Since then I've been doing a lot of thinking and I have come to this conclusion. The greatest gift our parent’s give us are lessens we choose to learn along the way. Guess what? It is your responsibility to discover what your parents taught you.

I believe we are not only the physical creation of our parents; we are also here on a spiritual journey to learn from them. You were born to these people and weather you know or not their lives had an irrevocable effect on who you are, what you do and how you live your life.

The only way you can truly learn from your parents is to become aware and embrace both their positive qualities and negative traits. For example, a few of my father's greatest qualities were his integrity, sense of humor and the unconditional love he gave to his family and friends. Through the years I have both consciously or unconsciously learned these qualities and in turn incorporated them into my life. I believe I am a better person as a result.

More importantly, I believe it is crucial that you learn from your parents negative traits. The only way you can do this is to identify what about their lives you didn't like or perhaps even despised. Then ask yourself what about their lives could have been done differently or better. What you would have changed is part of what you need to learn.

I would have to say that my dad's biggest negative trait was his lack of self-worth. I don't believe he ever knew how talented and gifted he was. I also believe this was the cause of so much anger that derived from deep-rooted, fear based, past experiences. Learning from this particular negative trait from my dad has been a tremendous blessing in my life.

Our path is about discovering the truth of who we really are. Our parent’s positive qualities and negative traits can be an invaluable source of information to help us grow. If we don't learn the lessons our parents are always trying to teach us, we run the great risk of carrying their pain into our lives.

Humor Being To The Rescue

A few years ago, I was speaking in the Midwest. I needed to stock up on writing accessories, so I drove to a nearby K-Mart. As I proceeded to purchase my goods, I noticed there was only one register open, so I took my place at the end of a long line. While waiting, I heard the people in the line mumbling something about the attitude of the young woman working the register. As I proceeded closer to the register, I understood what everyone was talking about. This woman did have a major attitude problem. What amazed me the most was how everyone was making it their problem. The guy in back of me apparently found the need to add more fuel to the fire by venting loud enough for everyone to hear, “Who does she think she is? I’m going to go over there and give her a piece of my mind!” I’m thinking, “Oh this is great. Somebody with no mind at all is going to give somebody else a piece of it.” At that point, I noticed that everyone was feeding off of everyone else’s negativity.

Now I guess my sense of humor was at an all time high that day. Because right in the middle of this negative frenzy, I took off my shoe, put it by my ear, and said (in a voice like Maxwell Smart from the old television series, “Get Smart”) “Hello Chief. (Everyone in line just stared at me) Yes, this is Max. Well, I’m at K-Mart and apparently the woman behind the register is a spy. How can I tell? She has a bug up her butt!” There wasn’t a person in that line that wasn’t filled with tears of laughter. In fact, the guy behind me said, “Hey, can I use your shoe? I have to call my wife!”

What an amazing turn of events. One moment everyone was wallowing in negativity. The next they were all laughing. The woman behind the counter, she didn’t get it at all. In fact, she was more upset then she was before. She looked at me and said, “That is so stupid! A grown man talking to his shoe. There’s no phone in there!”

I learned a very important lesson that day. Some people take their jobs and their lives too seriously. The refuse to acknowledge they have a sense of humor.

That's What Humor Does

Last week I was on my way to Kona, Hawaii to give a keynote speech to over one thousand people. I called home during my connection in Los Angeles and my wife told me my father passed away. I made a decision to continue on to Kona. My plan was to give my speech the next day and then fly back home in time for the wake and funeral services. The following morning I was at the hotel restaurant having breakfast. My thoughts were on my father and all the wonderful memories we shared. I felt a wave of emotions building up. The one thing I didn't want to do, was to loose it at a restaurant. But it was too late, my emotions got the best of me and the tears began to fall. Just then I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was my waitress. "Mr. Rizzo, she said, is everything alright?" Without missing a beat, I turned around in my seat, looked her straight in the face and said, "No it's not. This is the worst omelet I’ve ever had!" There was a slight pause and somehow she sensed the need for a quick comeback. "Well," she said, "I've had people complain about the food, but I’ve never seen anyone cry over it!" We both started laughing. The laughter instantly relieved the tension and I was able to explain the situation about my dad. Two hours later I was ready and focused to give a speech to a group of wonderful people. That's why I say humor is the instant-mind-shift. It gives you the emotional fortitude you need to move on with your life, even if you're hurting.

Like many other families, my family has had its share of difficult times, sadness and heartache. But somehow we always managed to pull through. I asked myself how we were able to survive so many of life's calamities. The answer was obvious----LOVE! It was always the spirit of Love that pulled us through. But it was our sense of humor and the power of laughter that kept us from falling apart.

I believe one of the greatest qualities of humor, is that it makes us all realize we are all the same in the universal scheme of things. We all have fears, concerns, pain, heartaches and problems to deal with. We just have our own unique stories to tell. It doesn't matter who you are, what you do, or how much money you make. It doesn't matter if you're black or white, male or female, rich or poor, conservative or liberal, gay or straight. We all make mistakes. We all have our successes and failures. And we all have good times and hard times. Humor simply helps us embrace who we really are and gives us enough peace to live with it.
That's What Humor Does.