Sal's Reflections

A friend of mine from Italy sent me an email and asked”why do you have so many killings in America? The Americans I meet in Italy seem so peaceful and I cannot explain it.”I have not responded yet .but candidly I do not know what to say.The mass killing of innocent people has become almost as common as the change of seasons.It happens in places of worship schools,universities,restaurants,office buildings and there appears to be no place that is totally safe.

Today there will be endless coverage of the latest massacre and yet we all know that this will not be the last one.It is beyond the realm of sanity to think that you could be sitting in a room at a party or meeting and in the next minute be dead.I never want to merely accept this as a part of our social fabric ,and yet like most Americans I am baffled by this new senseless act of violence.

It can be a frenetic time of year racing around , but it can also be a time when we realize that one of our greatest gifts is the ability to dream and act.I love the expression” why not go out on the limb?,That is where the fruit is.”There are many magic stories around at this time, but the one that can be the most magical is the one that we continue to write about our own lives.There comes a point in time when it it is not the past that holds us back from our dreams ,but rather the fear of making a mistake ,or believing that the path is too hard. I have learned to see huge goals ,but to bite them off in small clips.It is not merely just another Tuesday .It is the day when you can choose to see the dream more clearly, and take that first step out of the “comfort zone”

At this point in life the gifts I wish for my birthday are not in the material realm.I wish that any of my loved ones or friends struggling with a challenge find a solution.I need for the unhappiness cloud disappear from any unhappy at work.The candles on my cake will be the feelings of self worth and worthiness to any that are in the midst of self doubt.The cards I open will be the good news that all realize the meaning and purpose of their lives.These priceless gifts will make this the happiest birthday yet.

At the end of a holiday many struggle on Sunday night realizing that Monday is looming.I have played a trick on my mind for years by telling myself that Monday was the beginning of opportunity week and good things would present themselves.By and large that verbal and mental picture worked a lot better than”It is miserable Monday”again.

Thirty days has September ,June and November and so does the goal setting cycle. It takes a full thirty days for your brain to substitute new information and replace an old habit.Also if you break the cycle anywhere in the thirty day period you go back to zero. The encouraging news is that you can replace a habit that no longer works in only thirty days. Even better news is that the opportunity bus comes hundreds of times each day so get on the bus and take a thirty day ride.

The critical part of setting a goal is to determine “WHY”this is important to you.If that is compelling then it will drive you toward the actions required to achieve the goal.Setting a goal and writing it down, and signing your name to it sends a clear signal to your conscious and subconscious mind that creates positive pressure.It is critical to also write down what you will gain from achieving your goal, and why you are committed to making it a reality.Also identify what it will cost you not to achieve the goal.Positive affirmations like” I deserve to have this happen” or “”I know that I can do this” or “”I am able to do whatever it takes” Drop the” I cant “and substitute ” I will”.

When working with persons,corporations and certainly in my personal life I have always been a fan of Big Hairy Goals.Having them provides energy and inspiration, and often creates results beyond imagination. However ,there are some studies that indicate there is only about a 4 percent chance of fulfillment if you merely verbally state the goal.. If you write the goal down the number grows to forty percent.
Write it down, create a plan of action and sign it with
a specific date of completion and it moves to about sixty percent.

I and others spent eight amazing hours with Jack Canfield yesterday.Jack has sold over five hundred million books and his goal is to sell one billion by the year 2020.I was spellbound by his insights about life,service and human potential. This is not a pie in the sky guy because before all of this enormous success he had known mountains of rejection and was deeply in debt when his first book took off.One of his thoughts that struck me was his reason for being with us was that we were members of his tribe. He said”all of you in your own way are seeking to make a difference in your world”.He noted that despite our different approaches service to others was the binding reality that each of us brought to the group.
In reality for all my friends and loved ones I am part of your tribe, and what drives me and is my passion is service to you. May I never miss a request for help, or the opportunity to learn from you.

Heard a marvelous speaker today talking about change, and a simple way to get out of your comfort zone. She said she was at the low point in her life ,and knew she needed to physically exercise but could not muster the energy to make any great commitment at that time. However she knew that she had to do something to start toward her ultimate exercise goal so she decided to put on one sock. Once this was accomplished ,she put on the other sock and slowly dressed in workout clothes. Putting on the one sock was the beginning out of the rut into a new comfort zone. Her point was any small step like the one sock begins the process ,and anyone can put on the one sock toward their ultimate goal.