Thanks to Kelly O’Neil, who just recently earned her certification as a Yogi, for another Sunshine Club gem!   -mp

“Arthur Boorman was a disabled veteran of the Gulf War for 15 years, and was told by his doctors that he would never be able to walk on his own, ever again.

He stumbled upon an article about Diamond Dallas Page doing Yoga and decided to give it a try — he couldn’t do traditional, higher impact exercise, so he tried DDP YOGA and sent an email to Dallas telling him his story.

Dallas was so moved by his story, he began emailing and speaking on the phone with Arthur throughout his journey – he encouraged Arthur to keep going and to believe that anything was possible. Even though doctors told him walking would never happen, Arthur was persistent. He fell many times, but kept going.

Arthur was getting stronger rapidly, and he was losing weight at an incredible rate! Because of DDP’s specialized workout, he gained tremendous balance and flexibility — which gave him hope that maybe someday, he’d be able to walk again.

His story is proof, that we cannot place limits on what we are capable of doing, because we often do not know our own potential. Niether Arthur, nor Dallas knew what he would go on to accomplish, but this video speaks for itself. In less than a year, Arthur completely transformed his life. If only he had known what he was capable of, 15 years earlier.

Do not waste any time thinking you are stuck – you can take control over your life, and change it faster than you might think.

Hopefully this story can inspire you to follow your dreams – whatever they may be.
Anything is Possible!”

Treat yourself to 9 minutes of some powerful & beautiful reminders of how amazing this journey is.

Louie, an amazing artist and story teller,  says at one point, “I didn’t have much money, but I had time and a sense of wonder.”  As a father, this really resonates.  I want my daughter to realize that time is life’s most precious commodity and that passionate curiosity will help keep her on her little ballerina toes.

Thanks to Kelly O’Neil for another Sunshine Club gem.

Enjoy…

The Sunshine Club salutes Nora Mae Collins!

Check out this great story and video from Barry Paddock!

P.S   Most readers know that I don’t drink at all, but, like my friend Artie Evans, who had a Manhattan with two olives every afternoon, it seems like a ‘shot o’ something’ each day might be good for ya! 

Thanks to Mike for another feel-good submission!

Choc full of thought-provoking nuggets: "Aspire" by Kevin Hall

In the AfterWord of “Aspire,”  Dr. Gerald Bell wrote that Kevin Hall’s “passion for living a purposeful life is contagious.”   After two days of ingesting, contemplating and being inspired by Kevin’s insightful collection of thoughts, I think Gerald summed up the glaring feeling that you’ll experience upon completion of the book.  If not, check your pulse.

When I was younger, my mom encouraged me to ask people I admired out to lunch to see if they’d be gracious enough to share their expertise and winning ways with an enthusiastic sponge who revels in the pursuit of happiness.  (A practice I continue to this day)

Most were incredibly generous and many became treasured friends and mentors.  It was obvious that Kevin, an undeniable master of this practice, is seemingly fearless when it comes to connecting with people & positive vibes while allowing his curiosity for betterment steer him in the direction of the wisest folks on the planet.  Hall has also managed to breathe new life into etymology and treat the world to a nugget-packed, four year literary effort entitled, “Aspire- Discovering Your Purpose Through The Power of Words”

Without trying to make lite or over-simplifying it, the best way I can describe Kevin’s book is to say that it was like reading 11 extended versions of the most profound fortune cookies ever opened up.   The 11 cookies/chapters included personal stories and poignant research about core values and philosophies like Humility, Empathy, Namaste, Ollin, Passion, Sapere Vedere and Integrity.

Author, Kevin Hall

There are guest contributions and targeted mentions throughout the pages by inspirational A-listers like Mother Theresa, Albert Einstein, and Leonardo Da Vinci as well as Lance Armstrong, Stephen Covey, Harry Cordellos and Marva Collins to name a few.

I think a good book, aside from being one that I actually keep reading after the first 10 pages, is one that either makes you think, that entertains you or one that makes you take action.  Aspire is a trifecta.  Kevin added a cool little twist and interactive ending to each chapter that encourages you to reconnect and show gratitude to specifically-impactful people in your life.  This commendable reminder alone would have made the read worth it.  Good on you Kevin.

Special thanks to my dear friend, Neen James, for sending me a copy of Aspire.

Below are a few excerpts to whet your appetite …

“Understanding, as well as appreciating, our unique calling is crucial.  The two most important days of our life are the day we were born and the day we discover what we were born to do.  That’s the day we catch the vision of who we were meant to be.”  -Kevin Hall

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms- to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”  -Viktor Frankl

“We often receive what we desire for others.”  -Pravin Cherkoori

“Enthusiasm is the fuel of happiness and bliss.  It refers to the divine light that shines within each one of us.”  -Authur Watkins

Everything about Mother Nature is harmony and flow.  She doesn’t fight the elements, she embraces them.  Rivers don’t run uphill.  Plants don’t try to grown in the Arctic.  Animals thrive in their natural state.”  -Kevin Hall

“Sight is a function of the eyes, vision is a function of the heart…  Vision sets you free from the limitations of what the eyes can see and allows you to enter into the liberty of what the heart can feel.    Never let your eyes determine what your heart believes.”   -Myles Munroe

“Live life in crescendo…   It means that your greatest work or contribution is always ahead of you.” -Steven Covey

“Limitless possibilities await those who have the humility to admit they don’t know it all.  Prosperity is found by cultivating and attitude of lifelong learning.”  -Kevin Hall

In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.  It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being”- Albert Schweitzer

Nothing is more validating and affirming than feeling understood.  And the moment a person begins feeling understood, that person becomes far more open to influence and change.  Empathy is to the heart what air is to the body.” –Stephen Covey

“I go to Nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order.”  -John Burroughs

“The masters in the art of living make little distinction between their work and play, their labor and their love, their minds and their bodies, their information, their recreation, their love and their religion.  They hardly know which is which; they simply pursue their vision of excellence at whatever they do, leaving others to decide whether they are working or playing.”  -James Michener

Click here to order your copy… 

The Aussie Hostess with The Mostess: Neen James with Rachel Gordon and friends.

You know it’s going to be a great party when the hostess greets you at the door and offers you a beverage and a tattoo.

Super-Productivity expert and social media darling, Neen James, along with her Master of the Barbie and technology aficionado husband, Andy, held their annual Celebrate Australia soiree at their lovely home in Bucks County, Pa.

What makes a party fabulous?   First and foremost, it’s your guest list.  As I mentioned in the last post, 10 Tips for Celebratory Success, when you invite the people you care about and the people who care about you, the rest will fall into place. 

Neen & Andy (with a slice of homemade Pavlova Cake) Fresh fruit, meringue, cream and a crispy crust.. Bonzer!

Neen and Andy are connected to an eclectic group of cool people and thought leaders from all over the world.  The house was buzzing with teachers, lawyers, publicists, professional speakers, realtors, media specialists, marketing managers, designers, make-up artists, yoga studio owners, tech experts, and even one special event entrepreneur who got a golden e-ticket this year.

The vibe was ultra-friendly and positive.   Laughter was a constant-  as was a nice mix of aspirational conversation, trips down memory lane and a sprinkle of networking for potential collaborations… Just right for a festively-chic night out.

Neen tweeted her guests earlier in the week reminding them to “bring your appetite.”   I’m glad I took her advice and also ran an extra 3 miles in the morning.  The constant service of delectable Aussie-inspired appetizers featured; prawns on the barbie,  meat pies, sausage rolls, lamb chops and specialty quiches. The aromas were as delightful as the flavors.

Beké Beau showing her love for Neen and the Pavlova

Neen Knows:  If you’re planning a party and want to create an intimate affair but don’t want the potential stuffiness and conversational limitations that can result from a sit-down dinner, opt for a heavy menu of passed hors d’oeuvres instead.   When paired up with the right mixology offerings, this ‘freedom to mingle alternative’ to being a seating chart slave can really enhance your guest’s experience.

Neen and Andy also came through in what I call the “little things” department.  They decorated the house with Aussie flags, played some cool Aussie beats in the pool room, offered everyone temporary Aussie tattoos, and had an awesome ‘Best of Australia’ photo montage playing on their huge living room plasma screen.   The images were stunning! All of these elements combine to spark fun and interactive exchanges among your newly-introduced friends.

It was a pleasure meeting everyone in the fabulous network of Neen.  No matter who I encountered, everyone agreed that her ability to ignite people’s productivity on both a personal and professional level is uber-impressive.  If you think you can keep up, fasten your seat belt and follow her on twitter. @NeenJames

Special thanks to Neen and Andy for their generous hospitality and friendship.

Continued health, happiness and success!

Encore Gallery:

This is the kinda stuff that makes you wanna inspire and be inspired.

This is the kinda stuff that makes me wanna be an awesome dad.

(Click the link to right to play the video)      Thumbs Up for Rock and Roll!

Another Sunshine Club nugget from Mike Walter.

If you’ve ever gone to one of Michael’s concerts, you know that you’re gonna sing along, dance and have a lot of laughs before the night is over.  Sometimes, you might even get invited up on stage for a duet…

Another gem sent in from Mike Walter.

p.s  Mr. Bublé is the real deal on stage and off so be prepared for a few harmless expletives.

Yep.

Another gem sent to the Sunshine Club from my mom…

The world needs more mothers like her and Emanuel’s mum.

He is already well-known by the mobile entertainment industry and his clients as an extremely talented Master of Ceremonies, Wedding Entertainment Director and Keynote Speaker; but the fact that he has a serious philanthropic side to complement the wit and wisdom he shares with the world might be news to many.

Last month, Bartlett, who serves as the President of the Sacramento Chapter of the American Disc Jockey Association, raised over $20,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children in a collaborative effort with his team and the Granite Bay Golf Club. Shriners provides world class medical care for children, at no charge.  Many of these children are burn victims, have orthopedic & spinal cord injuries or cleft lip and palate.

Randy shared a few of his thoughts…

J.D Firestone- ADJA chapter Secretary, Brad Cady- Golf Pro at Granite Bay Golf Club, Dr. Lerman, & Randy Bartlett

“We are all lucky to work in a profession that we love so much, where we earn a living celebrating with people on some of the greatest days of their lives.  From simple birthday parties, to Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, weddings, school dances and holiday parties, we provide the entertainment that allows us to help others forget their worries and just enjoy life.

While we’re doing this, life goes on for others and unfortunately, it isn’t always happiness and joy.  There are countless organizations out there whose sole purpose is to raise much needed funds to deal with everything from stray cats to cancer, all worthy causes that touch each of us in different ways.

It’s said that “with great fortune comes great responsibility” and I feel very fortunate to have a profession that allows me to experience such joy with my clients.  With some other great like-minded people in the Sacramento Chapter of the ADJA, we’ve produced fund raising events in four out the last five years that have allowed us to give back some of our great fortune.

From our first effort in 2007, when we raised $2,600 for a local animal rescue facility called Happy Tails, to our latest effort, just completed on October 23-24, 2011, for Shriners Hospitals for Children, we have doubled our funds raised each year, this year reaching the $20,000 mark!”

Bartlett hopes the actions of the Sacramento Chapter will inspire other ADJA chapters and like-minded individuals to pay it forward.  

If you’d like to find out more information or inquire about making a donation, please visit www.golf4shriners.com.

Kudos for choosing to make a difference Randy.  Good on you my friend.

This international commercial is a pretty cool study in human behavior.  I find this stuff fascinating.

Thanks to my friend and marketing specialist, Keith Christopher, for sharing the latest addition to the Sunshine Club.  -mp