The setting could not have been more romantic. Ernie’s restaurant, one of the premier San Francisco eateries, all decked out for Valentines Day. I had been leading up to proposing for weeks. Our trip to San Francisco was special time for us both and what better day to pop the question than that most romantic of days, February 14th?
Sitting there, my heart thumping, I waited for the perfect moment. The drinks had arrived, the waiter had taken our order and left.
Now was the moment of truth. I mustered all the courage I could. In my first book, Handbook to a Happier Life, I taught people to know what they want and go for it, so I said in my most seductive voice, “Will you marry me?”
At the very same instant a waiter, carrying a tray containing a huge lobster, walked past our table. Being distracted and not having heard me my lovely lady replied, “Look at the lobster!”
In a weak, trembling voice, I asked if she had heard what I said and what her answer was.
“Oh! I’m sorry, yes, of course. I love you and want to be your wife. But did you see the size of that lobster?” We celebrated out 19th wedding anniversary this past October.
Last night, I had the pleasure of sharing my “Best Life Seminar” with the Huntingdon Valley Rotary group. As always, I had a great time, met some terrific people, had a nice meal (always a good thing) and got to share ideas with the group. Here’s what the group had to say:
“Tonight our guest speaker was Jim Donovan who lives in Upper Bucks County and is a best-selling author and inspiring motivational speaker.
Jim spoke about his recent book titled, “Don’t let an Old Person move into Your Body” which shares the recipe for living a long purpose filled life. Jim shared numerous real life people who started new careers while in their 80’s, 90’s and even at 106 years young.
Jim cites the importance that passion plays in beginning a new career or life regardless of one’s age. Jim discussed the simple things one can do each day to help yourself feel better spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. We found him to be informative and motivating. Please visit our website to learn more about our club and community experiences.
Georgia and I have three cats, Frosty, Bentley, and Missy. Not only are they great to be around, providing companionship and entertainment, but they can also serve as great teachers.
It has been said that in Ancient Egypt cats were considered gods and treated as such. Cats have not forgotten this.
One of the lessons that I learned recently from my youngest, Bentley, our Himalayan, was quit simple and valuable, something that we can all learn from.
What Bentley taught me was “when you’re the least bit stressed, go lie in the sun, and stretch out”. He had been resting on the couch, something cats do in between eating and sleeping, and when I sat down near him I guess it somehow interfered with his rest, so rather than be stressed in any way, he got up, walked over to a sunny spot in the room and stretched out.
What if we were to do the same whenever our world was disturbed? What if, instead of getting stressed out, raising our blood pressure and endangering our health, we were to just find something that would feel even better and do it?
By the way, Bentley, of course, has his own Web site, Himalayan Cat
It’s been said that an actor should not play scenes with animals or small children because they’ll steal the scene. Well, I’m not an actor so I thought I was safe.
I was asked to see if I could inspire a dog – not just any dog but “Todd,” the star of It’sTodd Show, to change his bad habits.
Well, as you’ll see in this video, he’s a tough nut to crack. The segment with me starts about 1:45 into it, right after the “Bark Hollywood” segment which I think you’ll enjoy too.
I’m not discouraged though. They promised me another shot and next time, I’ll be ready for him. This dog’s tougher than he looks.
I realize that, for many people affirming this can be a real challenge, however, it’s really important if you want to improve your situation. The key to having more of what you want, whether it’s more prosperity, health, time, fun, love, or anything else, is to first acknowledge that which you already have and then, to share it.
By appreciating and acknowledging what you have you evoke the power of the Law of Attraction, which as you probably already know, teaches us that “like attracts like.”
Put another way, we attract more of what we focus upon or hold in our hearts. By “hold in our heart,” I’m referring to the feelings we have for they, even more than what we say, are what attracts our experience. Remember, “As a man (or woman) thinks in his heart, so he is.”
By appreciating and acknowledging for example, the health you already have, you are putting your attention on health, which is the only way to attract it. You cannot focus, as so many people do, on illness and attract health. It violates the laws of our universe.
So you first exercise, should you choose to play, is to choose those areas in your life you’d like to improve. Health, of course, is a great place to begin for without it everything else suffers.
You may also want to include love, career, and, yes, money for they too are important. Ideally we want to achieve a balanced life that is prosperous in all areas.
Take each heading and make a list of everything you appreciate about it as it stands now. This activity will align you with attracting more of the same.
After doing this, in health for example, you may notice you are making better food choices, exercising or any number of other activities that will have a positive impact on your health.
When you begin to appreciate the wealth in your life, don’t be surprised if you begin receiving more, sometimes from totally unexpected channels. I’ve stopped trying to understand just why this occurs. I just let it in and give thanks.
The second part of the process is to share, with others, whatever it is you’d like more of in your own life. This evokes the Law of Reciprocity, another universal law, which teaches us that it is impossible to give without receiving.
If you want more love and affection, be more loving and affectionate to the people you encounter. I’m not suggesting you start hugging total strangers . . . maybe.
My friend, the late Charlie Tremendous Jones, made a habit of hugging everyone he met and it served him well throughout his life. Everyone I know loved Charlie.
It goes without saying that if you want more money, giving some away will help you attract more. I realize how difficult this may seem, especially if you’re struggling to make ends meet, but give it a try anyway. You may be pleasantly amazed at what happens.
Even if you can only afford to give a little it will leave you feeling better about yourself and more prosperous. And, for sure, there are many, many charities and organizations who always need your help.
Making a daily practice of writing what you appreciate in your life is a powerful activity that will produce astounding results and it’s something you can start right away.
Tonight, before you go to sleep, write 5 things you appreciate from the previous day. Do this for 30 days and then decide for yourself if it’s something you want to continue. My guess is, once you start seeing the powerful changes taking place in your life, you’ll want to make it a regular habit.
As this classic song from the Broadway hit, Porgy and Bess, reminds us, summertime is a time to relax, rest, rejuvenate and reward yourself for all the hard work you’ve been doing. As they say, all work and no play makes Jack & Jill a very dull boy & girl. We all need time to relax and just “play.”
No matter how much you truly love and enjoy your work, it is necessary, from time to time, to get away from it all. This may mean going on a trip, even if only for a day or two, or an extended vacation of several weeks. Perhaps, for some, it means staying right where you are but taking time away from your day-to-day work to get out and see what’s around you.
Believe it or not, doing this can be the best strategy you have, especially if you’re in a rut. Removing yourself from the daily routines associated with running your business or household not only helps clear your mind and opens you to new ideas and possibilities, but it will also take you out of your patterned behavior and stimulates your creativity by presenting new experiences, sights and stimuli.
Being away from your everyday environment gives you the opportunity to see what life is like for other people in other locations. Whenever I travel, I make a point of observing what local businesses are doing. I usually talk to one or two business people in the town or city I’m visiting. This gives me a totally new perspective on things and opens my thinking to new possibilities.
Simply being in an unfamiliar location causes us to think and act differently. It takes us out of our routines, moves us away from our comfort zone and literally bombards our creative minds with new and exciting sights and sensations.
Take time to play. Not only will you return more relaxed and rested, you’ll surely have new ideas and renewed enthusiasm for your life and your work.
Can’t get away right now?
Why not give yourself a Self-care Day? When was the last time you took a day just for yourself? If you’re like most people, your answer is probably never. Essentially a Self-care Day is a 24-hour period where you take care of yourself. You do no work at all. I know, I can hear your protest. I protested too when I first heard this idea “But you don’t understand, I have to check my voicemail, I have to return phone calls, I have to answer my emails and on and on.” I protested in my very best entrepreneurial voice. The truth is any of us can take a day for ourselves without consequence. Believe it or not, the world will keep spinning. Calls will wait as will email.
This is a day just for you. If you normally do the cooking, on your Self-Care Day, you will refrain from making meals. Trust me your family will not starve. Obviously if there are small children or infants that depend on you, you would have to modify this. Overall try to do nothing that is related to your normal work. This is a pampering day just for you.
The first time I did this, I discovered just how my work relates to things that I do on any given day. Most of my reading was centered on business topics. Being an entrepreneur and self-employed, I was convinced I had to be working all the time. I was wrong. Kicking and screaming, I embarked on my Self-Care Day. I took a walk, read part of a novel, took a luxurious bath in our soaking tub (something I never used to do) and just hung out and took care of myself. What a concept!
It’s been some time now and my Self-Care Day has become an integral part of my life. I not only feel better, and am having more fun, I have my life back. Doing this regularly has enabled me to put my work back into perspective. I no longer work seven days a week and I no longer do email throughout the day.
The interesting thing is that because of my taking this time to nurture myself, I’m actually more productive. Because I’m taking better care of myself I have more clarity and I’m able to better focus on the task on hand. Because I am taking better care of myself, I am more creative and productive. Most of all, because I am taking better care of myself, I feel better and have more balance and happiness, after all isn’t that what it’s all about?
Action step
Schedule one 24-hour period, sometime within the next 10 days, when you can give yourself a Self-Care Day and then go and do it. Once you’ve done this, see how you might be able to do this weekly and when you feel really ready, schedule an Self-Care Day for what would have been a normal work day.
How many times have you said, “All I want is to be happy?” So many of us get caught up in looking outside of ourselves for happiness when, in fact, happiness is something that you can choose at any time. The old saying “Happiness is an inside job” does not refer to working indoors. It means that it is we who choose whether or not we are happy.
Our society has, in the past, been obsessed with using “things” in a never ending attempt to find happiness only to realize that it does not work.
Most of us just want to be happy. A Course In Miracles, says that not only should you be happy but that you should make yourself happy.
In any given situation, you can choose how you represent what is taking place. You can give away your power and let outside circumstances take away your happiness or you can claim your God given birthright to be happy and at peace, regardless of what is going on around you.
Think about it. How many times have you become unhappy because of something completely out of your control? How many times have you let other people’s opinions of you control how you feel?
There was a time in my life when I thought that if I just bought enough “stuff”, I would be happy. I thought a new car or a better stereo or bigger house would make me happy. I used to look to other people to provide the happiness that was lacking in my life.
When all of that did not work and I was still not happy with myself, I was devastated. I now realize that all the material things in the world and all the other people in the world cannot, of themselves, make me happy. Only I can do that and the good part is that it does not take anything outside of myself.
That’s right, these three amazing women, Carrie Wilkerson, Kathleen Gage and Mari Smith are just three of the women that make up the “Dynamic Divas series.
A while back, I wanted to do something really “out of the box.”
While lots of people have produced information series with groups of experts, this is the first program to tap into the expertise and knowledge available from an amazing group of women.
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I realize that, for many people affirming this can be a real challenge, however, it’s really important if you want to improve your situation. The key to having more of what you want, whether it’s more prosperity, health, time, fun, love, or anything else, is to first acknowledge that which you already have and then, to share it.
A while back, I wanted to do something really “out of the box.” 
