Life in a Week... A Book About Being Really Happy and Life in a Week... What Is Spirituality are two of my creations that I wanted to share with the world. I feel we all have a story to tell but, more importantly we feel blessed when we can put a smile on someones face! I hope my stories inspire you to do just that with the ones whom are closest to you!


THANK YOU for stopping by my blog and please let me know if your visit here put a smile on your face! My personal email is kellerslifeinaweek@gmail.com

If you like what you read here then go to the right and order a copy of each of the books today!


Have a fun day, Michael Shawn Keller

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Keep this little girl in our prayers!

I know that the readers of this blog are the nicest and most caring people in the world, so I ask you to please keep Phylicia in your prayers. She is a brave little girl who is fighting a brain tumor and our prayers will help her to make a full recovery! If you are on facebook, let her know you are praying for her by "liking" her get well page (click on the above banner and be directed to the page or go facebook and type in "Love & Prayers for Phylicia") Thank you! Mike Keller

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Christmas is in the air!

One of my favorite times of the year is the Christmas season because we all seem to take a step back and think about others first. I often wonder why we don’t seem to hold on to that holiday feeling for the entire year? If we sincerely thought about others needs before our own all year round we would be much happier, healthier, and wiser! I am not talking about just the gifts that are bought, I am saying the hugs, the family gatherings, the laughter, the excitement, and the love that we feel toward one another. So often, we are so caught up in our own lives that we forget to slow down and ask a friend how he or she is doing? One of the biggest lessons I have learned this holiday season so far is that we all love to hear ourselves talk! I have been trying to do less talking and more listening (as I previously wrote about in previous blog entries) and I am truly amazed at how much better I am at listening than talking! Just by listening to others more intently is being a better friend. Listen to what others are saying and you will learn so much more about your own life as-well. The Christmas holiday season is a great time to practice doing this. I want to wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season, a season to smile and build memories of a lifetime! Merry Christmas! Mike Keller

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Listen more and chatter less!

I have been doing a lot of writing lately about everyday situations and how I cope with some of the challenging moments. I learned at a really young age to not let others attitudes change our own unless it is for the better. I was talking with a person about a month ago whom told me that his life is so hard, he hates his job, he doesn’t get along with his wife, his kids don’t listen to him (no matter how loud he yells) and that he is about to lose his apartment because the rent was raised by 30 percent by his landlord! I felt his anger over all of the bad things that were happening to him and I suggested that he take a step back and look at his situation from another persons’ point of view. Sometimes when we are in the situation we are to close to it to see the obvious solutions, it is really that simple. When I screw up on an invoice or a quote at work my boss will come into my office and show me what I did, I will initially feel annoyed because I cannot believe I screwed up on something that I have done a million and one times before. His advice to me was so simple the other day, yet so true “when you are exhausted from a long day, stop what you are doing and just pick it up the following day!” When we try to do everything all at once we are bound to make mistakes, we are human. So, when I told this man to step back and look at what was really going on, he too saw what I was seeing. Instead of condemning people for what they do, let’s try to understand the reasons why they do what they do. If you have a kid who is being a terror why would that kid behave better when he is being screamed at? We need to step back and see what it is that this kid is looking for, I would bet you a large coffee that he only wants your attention! I try to always remember that most people would rather have bad attention over no attention at all, ignoring others wants and needs and putting our own first is a selfish act but, striving to help others first is being a loving person. You will get much more satisfaction in life when you put others needs in front of your own, try to see the other persons point of view from a distance and start listening more than you talk. Another bad habit that we all have at times is that we love to hear ourselves talk! I will tell you that I have been watching everything I say in the past few months and I listen more than I talk now and have solved many issues in my own life by doing so. If you listen to what your friends and family has to say, you will learn so much more about them. If you chatter nonstop you are only babbling and people won’t listen to you as much. Take the time to listen to everyone around you, be truly sincere in your listening and life gets much easier. Ask questions and seek the answers. I received an email from my friend we were speaking about earlier and he started to listen to his boss, his wife, and his kids more intently. He started to take a breather before he would get defensive and genuinely started to listen to what they were saying! Within the first two weeks of trying to break his habit of “talking over” everyone and “yelling” about what is going wrong in his life, he started to see the changes immediately. He told his wife and his boss that he was trying to “lose his angry temper” and is working on becoming a better husband, father, and co-worker. His wife immediately saw the difference in the kids. They actually looked forward to their father returning home from a hard day at work and spending a little time playing with them without the yelling. His boss noticed he was coming into work with a smile and his productivity has increased tenfold, so he gave him a much needed raise of 20% and is paying for night classes to get him to become a supervisor with a life changing career within the company. The raise will pay for the increase in the rent and be able to pay off debt within two years. His story can be common if we have the right attitude toward both ourselves and everyone who surrounds us. We create our situations in life and we can change those situations in a very short time if we put in a genuine effort to do the right thing for the right reasons. We just need to think of all the good that surrounds us and brush off the negative emotions that arise in situations in our lives, start thinking outside of the box and seeing our own situations from outside of that very same box as-well. Bottom line here is to listen more and chatter less!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

FATHER FORGETS

This is a very inspirational story by W. Livingston Larned in the early 1920's for Peoples Home Journal(condensed as in "Readers Digest")Please take a moment and read this, it will help us all to be careful on how we react! Listen, son: I am saying this as you lie asleep, one little paw crumpled under your cheek and the blond curls stickily wet on your damp forehead. I have stolen into your room alone. Just a few minutes ago, as I sat reading my paper in the library, a stifling wave of remorse swept over me. Guiltily I came to your bedside. There are the things I was thinking, son: I had been cross to you. I scolded you as you were dressing for school because you gave your face merely a dab with a towel. I took you to task for not cleaning your shoes. I called out angrily when you threw some of your things on the floor. At breakfast I found fault, too. You spilled things. You gulped down your food. You put your elbows on the table. You spread butter too thick on your bread. And as you started off to play and I made for my train, you turned and waved a hand and called, "Goodbye, Daddy!" and I frowned, and said in reply, "Hold your shoulders back!" Then it began all over again in the late afternoon. As I came up the road I spied you, down on your knees, playing marbles. There were holes in your stockings. I humiliated you before your boyfriends by marching you ahead of me to the house. Stockings were expensive-and if you had to buy them you would be more careful! Imagine that, son, from a father! Do you remember, later, when I was reading in the library, how you came in timidly, with a sort of hurt look in your eyes? When I glanced up over my paper, impatient at the interruption, you hesitated at the door. "What is it you want?" I snapped. You said nothing, but ran across in one tempestuous plunge, and threw your arms around my neck and kissed me, and your small arms tightened with an affection that God had set blooming in your heart and which even neglect could not wither. And then you were gone, pattering up the stairs. Well, son, it was shortly afterwards that my paper slipped from my hands and a terrible sickening fear came over me. What has habit been doing to me? The habit of finding fault, of reprimanding-this was my reward to you for being a boy. It was not that I did not love you; it was that I expected too much of youth. I was measuring you by the yardstick of my own years. And there was so much that was good and fine and true in your character. The little heart of you was as big as the dawn itself over the wide hills. This was shown by your spontaneous impulse to rush in and kiss me good night. Nothing else matters tonight, son. I have come to your bedside in the darkness, and I have knelt there, ashamed! It is feeble atonement; I know you would not understand these things if I told them to you during your waking hours. But tomorrow I will be a real daddy! I will chum with you, and suffer when you suffer, and laugh when you laugh. I will bite my tongue when impatient words come. I will keep saying as if it were a ritual: "He is nothing but a boy-a little boy!" I am afraid I have visualised you as a man. Yet as I see you now, son, crumpled and weary in your cot, I see that you are still a baby. Yesterday you were in your mother's arms, your head on her shoulder. I have asked too much, too much, yet given too little of myself. Promise me, as I teach you to have the manners of a man, that you will remind me how to have the loving spirit of a child.

Friday, November 5, 2010

CHANGE IS GOOD

Life is full of what we put out there. Whether it’s happiness, love, and satisfaction or emptiness, loneliness, and sadness, it is all up to us. It’s really pretty simple. It’s like the old saying “you made your bed, now you have to lie in it.” If you feel that you cannot trust people, you probably won’t. If you feel like the world is against you, it probably will be. If you feel like everything is good and will work out for the best, it will. It takes the tough times to know the good times. If we didn’t have the tough times, then we would naturally forget how valuable the good times are and take them for granted. When you crush your finger between the balls at duckpin bowling and get a huge, throbbing blister on your finger that hurts every time you even get close to touching it, you will realize how lucky you always were when it wasn’t hurt and how much you will appreciate it in a few days when it is healed. When we realize that we really shouldn’t try to change other people’s habits or ways of thinking, but only change our own, it will have great rewards in all our relationships. We can always lead by example and actions, but we should never try to lecture and criticize others, even if it is the easy way out. Lecturing is one of the most destructive patterns we can have, and it will always end up with the same end result: resentment. Also, whatever change we were hoping for will be lost. Eventually, the person you are lecturing will reach the point of not even wanting to change and will start to look for your flaws instead. The love and respect that was once there will start to turn into more and more arguments; fighting will become a nasty habit or even the rule rather than the exception to the rule. Changing our own habits is much more important than trying to change someone elses.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Daily Living...

We are bombarded by both good and bad energies on a daily basis. We try to stay strong and wear many masks and armor shielding to appear strong and brave in order to feel like a leader, instead of looking as if we are followers. We build walls around ourselves to feel safe and try to keep a distance from the evils that surround us. This may seem like a good idea but, we might not realize that we are also making it difficult for the good to get close too! Why are we so stubborn? Why is it that we accept and maybe even are expected to yell at someone who disagrees with our opinions or even the simple act of someone stepping on your shoe by accident? Why is it considered being weak if we are followers? These are all questions that I ask myself as I write in my daily journal and I try to seek the answers to in everyday life. The one fact that we all must face is that just as we are born we will all die and we will never know for certain when. Our bodies do not live for eternity and we are not invincible. Our bodies are a true work of art and we should love who we are because there is only one of us! We are born tiny little babies, nurtured to childhood, grow into adulthood, and hopefully will grow old. The fact that death is a fact of life poses an even more powerful question, why is it so difficult to discuss sickness and the final stages of life, which is death? I have seen the tallest walls ever built around us suddenly crumble down in the final moments of life with a simple touch of a hand, a hug, and by the simple act of showing love and forgiveness. As we go through life we love to carry extra baggage, hold grudges, and carry around anger in our own hearts which is only imprisoning us behind those thick walls of hate and anger. Forgiveness and Love will knock down those prison walls, so why wait until we are on our deathbeds to get the courage to do so. One of the best ways to enjoy life today is to realize that we are not promised to live until we are ninety or one hundred years old. We are not even promised the rest of today let alone tomorrow! Live today to your fullest, enjoy the changing colors that autumn season brings, smile and laugh, sing and hum, give a squeezing hug and don’t hold back! The most important thing is to never walk away from someone with a hurtful thought, only walk away when you know for sure that you just left that person feeling better than when you first walked up to him or her. Never forget that we all make mistakes and that we are only hurting ourselves when we walk around angry and ticked off at everyone around us!

Saturday, October 9, 2010

SILENCE

In my last posting I wrote about all the noise that is around us, today I am writing about the noise that is inside our heads! We are constantly in a hurry to get somewhere, anywhere, it seems except, where we are! Why is that? Are we worried about missing something or are we feeling like we need to fill an empty spot in our life? Sometimes we are anxious to make a good impression, to have many friends, and to feel esteemed. Yes, these things are natural and are good to an extent but, to seek them too intently is dangerous. Too often we are judged by our failures and weaknesses and not by our efforts and ideals, this is why it is foolish to fix our hearts on the approval of what others think of us. By doing so we are causing ourselves a lot of noise in our own heads! Sometimes it is easier to just avoid the attention and to enjoy the quiet solitude and sometimes it is simply needed in order to stay healthy. I enjoy writing about issues in my life and how I try to become a better friend to everyone who surrounds me but, it has consequences too. I have been told on multiple occasions “Mike, be careful what you are putting on the site because it may hurt your career” or “Mike why would you write that you were a drunkard for many years? Don’t you know that you won’t ever live that down and people will only judge you?” I am grateful for the advice and listen carefully when it is given to me and I agree to some extent. The way I feel is, if you are always honest about what you are doing, where you have been, and where you are, then, you will never have to have that constant chatter in your head worrying about someone thinking suspect of you or not accepting you for whom you are. If they do, it won’t matter because you will be able to lay your head on your pillow at night knowing that you did the best that you could at the present time and will have the self-respect that is key to living a good life. A while back I was talking with an elderly woman who was very ill and she told me that the key to living a peaceful life is actually quite simple! It doesn’t matter how rich, powerful, attractive, or popular you are, just remember the plain truth about yourself and throw away all your foolish pride. So often people consider themselves to be better than their neighbors because of money, some talent they have, or circumstances in their lives but, forgetting that time changes everything! We all will hopefully grow old, lose some hair, maybe a few teeth, and start losing our muscular strengths. That is part of life, what really matters is that we do as much good in our daily lives while never becoming proud of our deeds! If you consider yourself better than others, you are certainly a fool! No matter how angry you may get, never let a hurtful word out of your mouth. If troubles come to you, do not let them disturb you because it will only fill your head with nonsense. Her words taught me to work on my dark thoughts, my dirty words spoken, and to be careful as to what I say while in a heated situation. Her words of wisdom from living ninety one healthy years of a good life made me realize I have A LOT to learn! Today is a good day to slow down our inner noise and to take notice in the goodness that surrounds us and a lot of that noise will diminish on its own!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

LIFES BATTLES

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, watching some horrific stories that are on the news, and listening to stories about situations that surround us on a daily basis. I came to a realization that there is a continual struggle within us and around us! Is it a struggle between good and evil, a battle between Heaven and the dirty devil? Are we faced with these struggles so that we are introduced to the negativity in order to become so accustomed that we feel better about ourselves designed by our enemy? If that were the case then aren’t we actually joining the enemy with our foolish pride, blind selfishness, and ignorance! Maybe, just maybe, we are becoming stronger by being engaged in these horrible battles. I am learning that we need to look inside of ourselves to recognize the clever camouflage of the enemy that spews out all of the noise in order for us to be distracted by nonsense. Don’t get distracted, instead, hold that firm and constant Love for good, pass it along to everyone that you meet, and our strengths will only grow! Don’t let the distractions overcome us through our weaknesses or by worldly people with self-seeking motives. By keeping our motives in check with the right and good intentions and having self respect for ourselves, our eyes will focus on the victory of that dirty devil. For many years I sought the approval and praise from others. Up until a couple of years ago I had many goals that were money based. Don’t get me wrong, I work very hard and enjoy the fruits of my labor but, I don’t base my life on those riches because I finally realized that the good things in life are from having a good conscience; the praises from others fall short of that! I would much rather see a friend being honored for their efforts, while I go unnoticed and feel their joy. We must remember that we don’t fail in anything because things turn out differently from what we may desire. We shouldn’t judge things by our disappointments or dislikes. We must keep discouragements out of our hearts, no matter how hopeless things may appear and always accept the results knowing you did your best today! I over-drank alcohol for a long time and was discouraged about the years lost and the experiences I missed. But, then I realized that I overestimated the passed successes or comforts of life. My life today is much more content and rewarding because of the life experiences of yesterday. I believe that we must learn from our mistakes but, more importantly we must help each other to know that the battle between good and evil is being won and that there is much more good than bad in our lives!

Saturday, October 2, 2010

SUICIDE

Every day we make choices in our life. Choices big or small, important or unimportant, we are faced with these choices every minute of our waking hours. When we choose one thing, we are usually giving up something else. We are usually quite good at making these daily choices because we learn from our past mistakes and hopefully are surrounded by people who love us unconditionally. We know that we all make mistakes and are not by any means perfect! Today will bring us a number of occasions to help each other or to hurt one another. It will be our choice to make. A simple word can help a person to gain the strength needed to get out of a difficult situation where hope is lost or can be the frightening discouragement that will be a deciding factor of suicide due to shame, fear, and lack of hope. Fear wears many faces in life. If we fear work, we are lazy, if we fear future disgrace it is shamefacedness, if we fear present disgrace it is shame. We have these emotions of fear because we may feel that we are unable to cope with our lives, we feel paralyzed or powerless to the outcome of the situations, and that fear may prevent us from acting for our own good. Where there is fear there will also be anger and we need to remember that anger is a mixed passion. Anger will always seek vengeance for some damage that has been done, it implies a comparison between the damages done and the vengeance sought. When a person feels these emotions and is living through a difficult situation where he or she feels hopeless and ashamed the split second decision might be to just end it all and leave it behind; suicide. Our fast paced days and nights cause so much stress and feelings of being overwhelmed by competition, peer pressures, being accepted, and achieving both our own goals and goals that are put on us by society and our loved ones. If I were to fail to live up to these goals, pressures, and everyday competitions I might have self doubts about whom I am or what I was doing, but if I were antagonized, bullied, or made fun of, it could push me over that edge to the thoughts of “who cares” or “screw it, they are just going to make fun of me!” There are times in everyone’s lives where we are challenged and feel weak, no matter how strong we may be! I know that in my own life I have had many difficult choices to make but I am blessed to surrounded by loving and caring people who love me for whom I am and not what I achieve. We need to try to be there for everyone in our lives, we need to visit more often, and to take the time to ask how they are doing, but, more importantly is to actually listen to the answers! We need to stop judging one another and leave that up to God! Every day there are hundreds of suicides, suicides that could have been avoided if someone took the time to look into that kids eye or hold that senior citizens hand, or given a simple hug! Why is it that we find it so hard to show love but, so easy to laugh when we see someone hit their funny bone or slip on the wet grass or a banana peel? I just read a scary statistic that one in four of every gay or lesbian teenager has thought about suicide at least a dozen times! One in eight elderly persons in an assisted living home has thought or even asked for help in assisting in their own suicides! There are many difficulties in our lives, many chances for failure, and many evils that may work against our own greater good. The key is to help one another to achieve, to feel loved, and to be accepted. We must stop the hatred and the bullying that create a feeling of despair. If you see someone who looks sad or lonely take a moment to cheer them up, even if you walk away thinking that you didn’t help; trust me. You did! Learn to accept each others differences and love that we are so unique because, this is what makes’ it such a great world to live in. When someone feels so depressed that they forget what a great world it is, show them with Love and a few kind words. Always know that your efforts can and will help if you let it! If you suspect someone is suicidal take the time to talk to him or her, seek out the proper help needed, and show that you truly care. If you are feeling depressed or suicidal take that first step to get help, know that you are unique and that no one else is exactly like you, and that you are loved! Suicide is never the answer, what may seem unbearable today will pass, even though it may not seem so today! There will be many challenges and obstacles in life but you are so much stronger than they are, you are worth every minute of effort and you are filled with the beauty and strength of God and always remember that you are here for a reason. It is not important to know what that reason is as none of us actually know the answer to that, but what is important is that you know that we are all connected through love and together we can become stronger and happier! Together we can get through the tough times and start to enjoy the good times again. Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and picture the best time of your life. Try to feel and smell the air that was there at that time, listen to what is surrounding you. Now open your eyes and take a second look at what is surrounding you and give it a chance, notice the smells, the air, and the sounds. Just know that there is much more good than bad and you really are a great person who has so much love to offer!

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Charity

Language is a funny thing. We can have a room filled with five people and the same word may have a different meaning to each of us! When you hear the word charity, what is it that you think of? Did you think of an organization, the fireman standing on the road with a boot, or did you think of your daily life? Charity is helping each other in our lives selflessly, it means in some form we will sacrifice because we love unconditionally. A person of charity is patient in many circumstances which would arouse others to be angry or disgusted. We need to refuse to become impatient with others, even when they have wronged us! Revenge and anger are not signs of strength but, are signs of insecurity and weakness. Kindness brings confidence and encouragement to those who are afraid. Others will never hesitate to ask for help because they will know that a person who is kind will not willingly refuse. Someone who is charitable never envies those who have more earthly goods, more success, or even more talents. He is more content with the love that he possesses. A charitable person will always be considerate and fair in every aspect of his or her life, because he or she is not over-eager for personal gain or appearing to be better than anyone else. One whose heart is filled with charity refuses to judge others rashly. Instead, prefers to believe in the good of others, even when wronged. I have learned this valuable lesson in the past few days, as I was name called by a loved one who judged me without asking about the particular circumstances. The virtue of charity makes us so honest that we can admit the truth, even when it points out our limitations and defects. It is a challenge in our daily lives to try to live with unconditional love but when we are wronged the offense is painful, but not as bad as the harm done to ones self. I have learned that when we are wronged by others it is only temporary but, when we are bitter and hold grudges we are only causing ourselves to be in that very same prison that the one who wronged us is in. Letting go of any bitter thoughts of revenge, settling the score, or anger will free ourselves from that dirty prison cell that is offered by the confused person who wronged us and in turn will help us to feel much better. Charity makes us humble enough to face all facts, even disagreeable ones.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Life In A Week: What Is Spirituality?

I am very happy to let my friends know that the second book of the series will be available online by the end of this week! We will also be available at most of your favorite bookstores, libraries, and anywhere books are sold! Just go in and ask for it! I will post the link as soon as I get it, subscribe now (if you haven't already) so that you will get an email when I post it! This is a great book that is short and packed with some "deep" inspirational messages. Until next time, have a great day!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Bullies! Why?

I was just at one of my friends’ blogs reading her story about 'bullies' and could not help but get a little angry! She wrote about the bullies in school and how it affects the kid getting bullied. It brought back fond memories from my school days. I was lucky to have a few older brothers who were much bigger than me, so I didn't have a problem with getting bullied, plus I like to think that I was just so easy going that no one wanted to bother me (no, I think it was my brothers). I remember sticking up and even getting into fights trying to help classmates who were getting bullied. My Dad always used to say that "if someone is picking on you they are just jealous” and it stuck with me! I truly believe that we treat others how we feel about ourselves. As kids (and even as adults) if we feel insecure or afraid we will lash out on others whom we feel are weaker! This is a sad thought, but one that we all must think about. We need to teach kids about love, respect, and friendship by showing it in our actions, teaching it in daily habits, and helping others who may be different from us. I never really cared about being “cool” or “popular” because I was lucky enough to have parents who taught me that quality doesn’t come in quantity! We are blessed to have a few true friends in this life, we are lucky to have the opportunity to teach by example, and we are required to treat each other with respect! It is our duty to be vigilant when it comes to stopping useless bullying that will scar for a lifetime. The best way to stop this behavior is to sit down and talk to kids about this issue before it becomes a problem. We must remember that we all strive for attention from one another, most times if we don’t get it we will act up in order to get attention, because bad attention is better than no attention at all (or so we think). Think about how many times while growing up that we would not bother our Moms for hours on end, BUT once she answered the phone we would start screaming or asking her questions while she was trying to have a conversation with someone on the other end; this was to get her attention because all of a sudden it wasn’t focused on us! There are to many suicides, drug addictions, alcohol abuses, and depressed people in our own towns, let alone the world that happens because of low self esteem, feeling alone, or even unacceptable. We can all make a difference just by teaching more compassion to everyone who is around us and even complementing someone when they go the extra mile for someone who may have needed that extra smile or helping hand. Try to make it a habit to focus on the good and don’t assume that your kids, family, or friends know that you love them unconditionally; remind them with a few extra hugs, a smile, and maybe even say it! “I Love You!”

Sunday, September 12, 2010

"Work" (from Life In A Week - A book about being really happy!)

We all have to work, so we should make the best of it! I took the following from my first book about being really happy: The one thing that most of us have in common is that we all must work for a living. We spend a considerable amount of time at work and really need to remember not to let work take over our lives. We need to balance work and home life; this gets even more important as we get older. I’ve seen so many people devote their entire lives to their careers only to die within weeks of their retirement. The reason for that scenario could be that they put all their effort into work and forgot how to live. The only thing they focused on was their job, and they forgot how to enjoy the wonderful day without stress. I admit that I love all the challenges at work. I even love the pressure of the day at work. I sometimes need to remind myself that work doesn’t make my life important; I make work important. We sometimes think that what we do for a living or how much power we have at work decides how important we are, but this is the furthest thing from the truth. I was out to dinner the other night and was waiting for my Shirley Temple to come out when I overheard the manager screaming at my waiter that she doesn’t care what the customer wanted and that she was in charge, not the customer. I thought, “Wow! Doesn’t she know that the customers are the ones making it possible to have the work? All I was asking for was an extra cherry in my drink!” We sometimes need to be reminded that it really is how we do our work and how we treat others that is important. If we move up the ladder in the jobs we are in, we need to remember that for every step up, we will need to come back down; it’s the power of gravity. We need to find joy in our work even if it is not the choice of work that we would really like to be doing. The saying “fake it ’til you make it” is a favorite of mine because I think it is funny that we have already made it; we just might not know it. Every day that we wake up and are able to go out and earn a living and help people on the way is an exceptional day. It doesn’t matter what you are doing; you can always help someone while making a living and making money. It’s all in the way you look at it. You might ask, “Well, how is the meter maid helping anyone?” Every ticket given out is helping with the economy by helping to pay for the pavement on the streets. The guys who pave the streets are able to work. If the streets don’t have potholes, then there may be one less motorcycle accident, saving someone from getting hurt or killed. It works as a chain reaction, just like everything. Every action really does create a reaction. The bottom line is to do your job the best you can and be grateful that you are able to work. Always remember that work is an important part of our lives, and we should take pride in it, but we need to take pride in our rest, too. We are not machines, and when we take time to relax, we will end up doing a better, more efficient job in the long run. We can’t make our jobs or careers our only priority because we forget to slow down and enjoy the here and now when we do that. Money will buy luxuries but not true love. Love is bought with kind hearts, by being true to ourselves and others, by simply caring. It is key is to have patience with our coworkers and to try to help each other achieve, not compete. I have worked in many fields and found that the most successful business owners and managers were the ones who taught the employees everything that they knew, in the hopes that they would become a better employee. I have also seen the opposite, where the business owner or manager was nervous to instruct to the employees to do anything more than what was needed, out of fear that they might possibly take over his or her position or take that knowledge to the competition. That fear stalls the progress of the company and slows the ambition of the learning employee. Unnecessary fear in the workplace is a waste of energy. I think of work as a relationship. If you try to better each other and grow, you will prosper. If you treat each other with respect, that loyalty will inevitably grow. If you work smart and hard and have good work ethics, then you should be compensated for your efforts. If you have a lousy paying job and do something that you hate, then you should look inside of yourself honestly and evaluate why you are in such a situation. You should also decide to make the small changes in your daily life that are needed, but whatever you do, please don’t blame everyone else. There will always be people who will not be helpful in trying to see you succeed, but don’t let that discourage you because they are nervous about their own shortcomings. Watch and learn from the people who are happy to be at work, the people who are successful because they know how to do it. Keep going, and nothing will be able to stop you. People are judged by the company they keep, and I have always felt that a company should be judged by how they treat the employees. If everyone is rewarded for the quality of work that is done, then the company will be successful. If the company leaders are honest and caring, then the rest of the company will follow suit. If the company leaders are shallow and cheat, then why wouldn’t those traits trickle down to everyone else? This is true with every aspect of life. We lead by example not by words alone. We all need to remember that we are a team and that a team will win when its members work together and help each other along the way. Competition is healthy and beneficial, but only when individuals help others to win, too. Thanks for reading part of my first book (published in 2009)and available via links on my website or anywhere books are sold. The second book (Life In A Week - What Is Spirituality?) is in the process of being published and will be available within the next few weeks. Be sure to sign up to the RSS subscription on my site to get instant emails when I post; so you can be the first to get it directly from the publisher! "Read it and share it"

Thursday, August 19, 2010

What's your real "problem?"

The best way to help others is to just be yourself and always listen to others who are around you. I have met so many people in the past few days who have many stories and many different pasts. When we listen to the people around us, we can learn so many things about ourselves,and save ourselves a lot of headaches of having to go through those very same mistakes or trials. I was talking to someone who told me that he was going through one of the most challenging times of his life a few years ago, but when he took a few moments every night to listen to his inner self, he found the answers he so badly needed. He told me that when he finally learned to ask for help from his "inner guides" he realized that most of his "problems" were actually symtoms of a much deeper issue. His mind was just keeping him distracted so he wouldn't think about what the real problem was...just something to think about.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

I just read a book that I loved!

"You're Not Going Crazy...You're Just Waking Up" by Michael Mirdad I would love to let you know about a short book that is packed with insights and simple life changing information. Michael Mirdad writes as if he were in a conversation with the reader and doesn't add filler just to make it a longer book. I am really glad that I read this book and opened my mind to the five stages of spirituality. I have read hundreds of spiritual books but, found 'You're Not Going Crazy...You're Just Waking Up' to be one of the few that I would read again and again! Check out this great book at www.GrailProductions.com

Sunday, August 1, 2010

My Interview!

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who watched my interview on Good Morning Connecticut - Weekend Edition! I had a great time and met a wonderful crew at WTNH Channel 8, they are the most welcoming crew I have ever met. I will post the video when I get it downloaded.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Patience

One of the most important things to remember is to have patience with everyone who surrounds you. Patience is one of the key factors to living a peaceful and loving life that is rewarding. We will be the happiest when we try to understand our differences and learn from each other. It is best when we look at the world as children see the world, with a clear vision of hope, faith, charity, love and laughter, they are angels sent to us, to remind us not to hold back on loving, which is living! It isn’t important whether or not we say all the right things, color the best pictures, or write the best letter but, what is important is the time that we give. Spend a few extra moments to show your loved ones that you care and that you are there for them. Listen to your inner voice more and trust in yourself, so that you can pass that trust onto others.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Anger

Anger seeks vengeance for damages that have been done, it is a comparison between the damage done and the vengeance sought. Anger deals with the questions of justice. We are angry when we think an injustice has been done to us or our loved ones, and, in that anger, we seek revenge on the evildoer. Anger often produces pleasure. We are pleased when we "get even" or "settle the score." We are energetic in the pursuit of justice. But, anger can destroy the reasonableness of our actions, we sometimes might exact a greater vengeance than the injury done to us. We need to remember to never stoop to the evildoers level, not to let anger control our actions, and know that justice will be done. Keep our Love of Good, of the real good, and keep that as our motives in our activities.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

LAUGHING! IT IS THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE UNDERSTOOD BY EVERYONE...

Laughter is the purest form of energy known to all humans. Laughter is one of the most contagious energies that we are born with. Studies show that people who laugh everyday will live a longer and happier life. Laughter is an unconscious vocalization which means that when we laugh it comes from our inner emotions, we do not control it. When we subconsciously do anything it is second nature, which means that it is from within. There are studies from all over the world that all agree on two major facts, and those facts are that laughter will eliminate physical pain, increase our blood flow by helping our blood vessels stay healthier, and in turn helping us to stay healthy and alive. When I am having a challenging day I open a comic book and read it for a few minutes or turn on a funny movie to have a few laughs and to just get away from the challenges of the moment. One of the best ways to get back into a good mood is to take a walk with nature, whether it be in the park, a quick hike, a bike ride through the city, or a stroll on the beach. Nature is the best way for us to relax and get back to the natural state of mind which is happy. I have never met a three year old kid who was miserable, snobby, or constantly angry, these are un-natural emotions that we are taught and may be shortening our lives . When we were babies we would cry if we wanted a bottle or wanted to be held because we didn’t have any other way to communicate and crying is natural and healthy like laughing, having a challenging day, being stressed, or angry are not.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Being Classy!

I met a woman in Manhattan last night at a lounge who actually teaches a class to entry level business positions to act classy. She told me that you need to “fake it til you make it and that being classy has everything to do with our talk and not actions.” She said that a successful business person needs to appear stronger and more confident than their co-workers and that the co-workers occasionally need to be reminded that you are better than them! I felt like running from this woman but I kept listening because she was so sincere in her speech. She continued on to tell me that I should get into a habit of telling every third guest who comes into my home to please wipe their shoes on the mat because this will bring the guest and anyone who hears you to know that you are in charge! This is when I politely walked away from her and did end up running from her. That type of training is truly non-sense, made up power and illusions of wealth don’t make you classy. Our actions will always speak louder than our words when we make everyone around us feel more comfortable because we truly care. We will be much classier because we know that we are all going to be better off when we treat each other with the respect we all need and deserve.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Flaws

No person is perfect, we all have flaws and when we point out other people’s flaws we are just distracting ourselves from our own. I have found jealousy will always turn into hate and low self-esteem often causes’ us to notice flaws and to gossip about others in order to boost our feelings about ourselves. When you are around someone who is gossiping it is always best to remain silent and not even nod your head in agreement because this will only encourage the behavior. I try to remember that the criticisms speak more about the person telling them than the victim who is not even present to defend themselves. A wise man once told me that there is good and bad in everyone and to just try to illuminate the good. This may not be easy at times and it may take practice but it is a habit worth every minute of its effort

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Learning from Anger

We all have been deceived by peoples mean spirited motives and feel used. We may even feel like getting even or settling the score, but let me tell you from experience, it is never worth it. We should not attempt to stoop to the mean spirited persons’ level to feel a few minutes of satisfaction because we will always have to live with our actions. I have learned at a really young age is that the only person who is always going to be there with me at all times is me, but I want to be able to lay my head down on my pillow at night knowing that I did well that day. We learn a lot about ourselves and others when we are under pressure, filled with stress, and in heated situations. We learn that we may have a temper, we may get scared, we may become defensive, or we may overcome that stress from the strength we have from within, from our inner love and the love we have for others. We are all connected by that love and anger will only make the situation more difficult.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Don't get stuck in the mud!

We need to remember that the emotions that we feel will determine our overall health and we must forgive and forget at all costs. Revenge, hatred, and negative vibes will create health situations and in turn those emotions will ultimately hurt us. Our sub-conscience thoughts create all of our life energies whether good or bad, it is our choice which one we choose. Dim thoughts filled with anger will harden our souls, while a brightly lit heart will help us to find our way to happiness. Don’t let other peoples actions grow like weeds in our thoughts getting ourselves stuck in the mud with them. Always keep in mind those negative thoughts create negative results, such as headaches. Headaches are our souls way of telling us to just let the little things go and to pick our battles and to not let other peoples dark thoughts to live in our heads rent free, just kick them out and make room for happiness! It took me many years to realize that we need to take care of ourselves first. Otherwise, we won’t have the energy needed to take care of the ones we love that may need it. This is a difficult thing for me to even write because it may mean having to say “no” to someone who we love at times in order for us to avoid headaches and to feel better ourselves. Sometimes spreading ourselves to thin and being exhausted will back fire on us. Don’t worry about others rewarding us, for life will reward us as goodness will always find itself! So the secret to living headache free is to think happily, avoid negativity, stay alert, keep the light on for laughter because the light will always overpower the darkness.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Getting to know ourselves!

So often our thoughts are on unimportant things. We don't center them on the good or the Light of Love which is our greatest need in this life. We sometimes try to focus on the Light or on doing only good for a few moments, but then our thoughts go back to the useless distractions of everyday life such as gossup, the negative things surrounding us, or even on hate. As a result we rarely get a good look at ourselves and our actions. We hardly know our real worth because we take so little notice of our desires, motives, and intentions. Because of this we become blind to what is going on in our own hearts. Our motives are often selfish instead of self-less and our external actions are not good. A pure heart creates a good life, but with a selfish heart comes a life filled with sadness and loneliness. We need to control our selfish natures so that our difficulties will gradually vanish. We will always make mistakes, but if we root out even one fault each year we would soon become much more happier and at peace! To live a better life we must see and admit what our faults are and proceed to improve and change them for the better. If we get rid of a fualt and replace it with a smile and a kind word we will be surrounded by lot's of happiness, joy, and Love! Have a fun week, Mike Keller

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Giving

There is a story about the seven years of plenty during the Egyptians time under Joseph where they stored up a huge amount of harvest for seven years. These years were called the seven fat years because the following seven years were a time of scarcity and drought known as the seven skinny years. Imagine the people who stored nothing and just kept getting fatter and enjoying only the day, I would bet they felt a lot of remorse and regrets! This story should remind us to enjoy the fat years and to always keep the future in mind as-well. We should always think about our actions and never get greedy for the day because todays pleasures will soon be just a memory and tomorrow will be today. When we have plenty we tend to take it for granted and sometimes even expect it but we tend to learn the most when we end up in the skinny years! God has given us plenty and has also given us free-will which is one of his best gifts to us. Free-will is what seperates the good from the evil. Evil will always be filled with misery and try to pass that misery on to others but, the good are filled with light and the light can never be dimmed by darkness. I try to always remember that those tempations from the fat years now give me the opportunity to overcome situations and increase my personal merits. We have our own ways of sharing with others, some may share with money while others share with laughter, songs, smiles, and love. Today is the perfect day to start making it a habit to share those gifts (yes, hugs are one of those gifts!) everyday unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. Unconditional love and giving is one of the best ways to living a great life here on this earth and in the next! Have a fun week, Mike

Friday, May 7, 2010

America is great because we are a "melting pot"

My brother Vinny has been finding out about our family tree the past couple of months and I am amazed at the information that he has been finding. He found that on my Mom's side of the family we are French Canadian. On our Dad's side we are Irish from his Dad and Hungarian from his Mom (our grandparents). He is still researching and who knows what else he will find... We are happy Americans who love everyone and are proud of our history, but at the same time know that as time goes on and families grow so does that tree! We may have different family trees and come from all over the world but we are all family. We are all here on this rather small world (compared to the universe) with one goal in mind and that goal is to live a happy and healthy life. Together we can learn from each others family trees and have a perfect family forest together. We need to stop judging each other because of our skin color, accents, beliefs, and hair styles. Inside each of us is our own soul that is filled with Love and not an empty darkness of hatred. I am proud to be part of such a great melting pot of happiness. Don't forget to give an extra hug today!!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

A Very nice review on Amazon - Thank You Ptmeem!

" 5.0 out of 5 stars Making Every Day Special, November 20, 2009 By ptmeem - See all my reviews This review is from: Life In A Week, About Being Really Happy (Hardcover) Michael Keller is obviously the perfect combination of practicality and positivity. I found myself smiling and nodding in agreement with his approach to life throughout the book. If you've ever had a bad day, become frustrated or angry, you need this book. He'll show you how to deal with negatives and turn them around. Like band aids in the bathroom cabinet, this book should be on your nightstand for emergency use." I LOVE THE "LIKE BAND AIDS IN THE BATHROOM CABINET" - wow, thanks and if any of you bought the book from Amazon please post a review - it really helps with the ratings! Have a fun day, Mike

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Lead based paint (a strange but important posting)

As of this month there is finally strictor renovation rules (entire country) that are in effect for contractors dealing with homes, schools, and child care facilites! As of April 2010, contractors performing renovation, repair and painting projects that disturb lead-based paint must be certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination! Long-term lead exposure to children under the age of six can cause developmental brain problems, it doesn't take a lot of lead to be hazardous to one's health. So if you live in an old home built before 1978 and have some renovations done please MAKE SURE that your contractor is certified and registered by the EPA. Why make the house look nice and your lungs and brain feel sluggish. Have a great day and don't forget to smile and wave to some strangers today!

Sunday, April 18, 2010

HAVE FUN & ENJOY TODAY

We are only on this earth for a little while so we really need to make the best of our limited time. I often wonder how ready I am to enter into the next life? If today is my last day and tomorrow never comes who will remember me, who will miss me, but more importantly who have I helped to have a happier life? Is it true that when he is out of sight, he is quickly out of mind? What helps me to enjoy life every day may seem cold or even gloomy, but it helps to remind me that our time is limited so we really should make the most of it; In the morning I consider for a moment the fact that I may not live till the evening. By living this way death will never take me by surprise and I will never have to move onto the next stage with unfinished business here on earth. These thoughts remind me never to go to bed arguing with a loved one, not to be rude to anyone, to say thank you more often, to help others and to never get greedy. Death is a fact of life that is a certainty and when we face that fact we will live a much happier life. Each night as you lay your head on your pillow and think about the day that had just past and you can you can smile and know that you did the best that you could and can be satisfied by the events of the day, then you should be happy to be where you are. When you have problems don’t try to tackle them in one day, just chip away a little piece at a time so that you won’t waste the entire day in that homemade stress, trust me when I say “It doesn’t even matter, just be happy.” Sometimes we are in places in life where we think “the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.” I often wonder what people are thinking, I can sit on a bench at the casino or at the beach and watch people walk by and wonder by the expressions on their faces what they are thinking and where they are.I wonder if they know how lucky they are to be in such a great setting, maybe with their friends and family or even just a little getaway for the moment. By sitting back and people watching for a few minutes I realize that I too have it good and that I am in a good place. If we know where we are in life we will make our own destinies by our thoughts and habits; then we will be able to decide which paths in life to take and in turn better our lives while we are here. While sitting back on that bench at the beach yesterday I noticed that a dog kept returning to its own vomit and I wondered why and realized that we do the same thing when we stress out on issues that don’t even matter.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

A few words from Life In A Week; A book about being really happy!

Everyone is here for a reason, and that reason is to express ourselves and bring happiness and joy to this world. When we have happy thoughts filled with love and goodness, it will radiate through us naturally in our voices, expressions, and our vibes. When I feel like I’m going to have a stressful day or a difficult time, I will. When I feel like it’s going to be a great day filled with laughter, it will be. Our thoughts are what make us up; therefore, our thoughts are who we are. You can be the most handsome guy or the prettiest girl at the dance, but if you don’t know it, it won’t matter because you’re not going to dance much. However, if you thought positively with love, then you would know what a hot ticket you really are, and you would have the confidence to ask anyone to dance. You would have a great time because love attracts love. Love yourself for who you are, and you will be surrounded by love. Treat people with love, and most will respond likewise. If someone is mean-spirited to you when you were only good to them, don’t let it bother you. If you let their negativity enter into your thoughts, you are only giving that negativity power. What I do is simply walk away and wish that person goodwill and peace. If I can’t just walk away due to the circumstances, I will never react in the same negative way, no matter what. Always try to treat others how you would want to be treated. Do not treat others how they treat you. Maybe your smile or your brushing off of the rude words spoken to you will eventually plant the seed of goodness and love into the negative person’s heart and, therefore, their thoughts. When we walk around knowing we are good and helping everyone we can, we will radiate that love through our vibes, expressions, and body language; we will pass it along to everyone we meet. That happiness and love really is contagious, so hold that door open for the next person, say hello to the old guy on the park bench, ask the cashier how her dayis going, and you will make a difference in someone else’s day. That difference will not only be contagious to them, but also to you; your thoughts will stay more positive, therefore making your day better and healthier.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Easter

Happy Easter to everyone! To me Easter is a time to spend time with our loved ones because it is a reminder that we are not here forever. Enjoy today and don't be nervouse about giving a few extra hugs along with those Easter eggs.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Move those bodies...

Have you ever noticed how great you feel after taking a walk, playing basketball, or even just shopping? It’s a great feeling to move around and get our bodies going. Exercise is the natural way to let our positive feelings loose and to transform the moods we are in. When I get in a grumpy mood, the first thing I do is take a deep breath in and hold it for a few seconds, then I let it out slowly. I do this four or five times to get my lungs moving and to let the fresh air into my body while picturing the negativity flowing out of me with every exhale. This causes the endorphins in our bodies to begin to wake up and stretch. Now is the key time to take a quick walk even if it’s just parking farther away from the building or store. Those few extra steps eventually add up and will give us an extra minute to just breathe and get more exercise. This is a great time of year to get our bodies moving and take in some fresh air to rid us of the 'winter blues' Spring is in the air and just as the flowers, plants, and nature is flourishing so should our happy thoughts and good vibes. Everyday is a fresh start to let our love shine along with the warm air and cool breezes...

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Get a hearing aid or run into the traffic!

I meet a lot of people everyday and I try to remember that people always project to others what they feel about themselves. I was talking to a woman today who would not make eye contact and talked very low. When I asked her if she would speak up because I have a hard time hearing sometimes she literally screamed at me to get a hearing aid or run into the traffic! WOW. I didn't know what to do or say so I just asked her if she needed a hug (and that is hard for me because I am not a touchy feely kind of person usually...especially once I quit drinking). She grabbed her coffee and walked outside, I too was leaving and headed for my car. When I got into the car she walked over and said she was sorry and told me that the doctor just told her that she is deaf in her left ear and would loose all her hearing by the time she was 40! She felt guilty because she would not be able to hear her babies voice in a short time. I told her that I believe guilt is taught to us as children and it is not natural, it is hell. Guilt is a horrible feeling to carry with us needlessly. Many of us are filled with that guilt and accept it as right when it is actually wrong! Take a step back, look at every situation, and always be happy for what we have even if it is for a limited time. Leave the judging up to God, for we should not judge anyone, just care and love unconditionally! My point here is that I am glad I didn't just get snotty back or get defensive because that would have just hurt both of us. The old saying "keep your mouth shut unless you have something nice to say" comes to mind! Have a fun week, Mike

Monday, March 8, 2010

Be careful of the wolf in sheep skin!

We all want to be happy and live a peaceful life but every once in a while a wolf will come along disguised as a sheep! The sheep is gentle, kind, and loving but in time you find that your good nature has been taken advantage of. You find that the sheep has been clawing away at your good nature while all along trying to destroy you. The sheep was really a big, bad wolf trying to use your peaceful nature as a weakness, not knowing that Love is much more powerful than anger, hate, and deception. The wolf was really just a lonely, sad, and angry soul who is only happy when others are brought to its level. I believe all people are good by nature but we sometimes take rockier paths in life and become lost. We tend to panic when we are lost because we are not in control of where we are going and don't want to end up somewhere scary, foggy, and lonely! It is at that point that we must choose the path we want to walk down and know that we make our own decisions in life and must live with the results. We must realize that it is foolish to blame the outcome on others, as we chose the path. When we pretend to be something we are not we are only hurting ourselves, but when we are deceived by wolves in sheep skin we become stronger knowing that the wolf didn't have any power over you because you were filled with the natural light of Love that blinded the wolf's angry vision. Do not let the wolfs addiction slow you down on your happy trail in life, keep the peaceful spirit and loving thoughts in your heart and you will never have to fear that mean wolf. Life is about how we handle challenges, what we learn from those challenges, and how we treat others in our daily lives. Always try to help others and you will be surrounded by Love, but when you come across an angry wolf who tries to hurt you remember not to bend down to its level so it can bite you in the face. Just slowly back away from it, hope the best for it, and move on so you can surround yourself with the family and friends that love and care for you unconditionally.

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Why I wrote Life In A Week!

I wrote this book for a few reasons, but the most important was to help people like me with the day-to-day drama that exists in their lives. At a young age, I realized that most of this drama is unnecessary and for the most part, they are just illusions in our own heads. I love to read good books and found that most self-help and spiritual books are written by doctors, misisters, and professors. Well, I am none of the above. I wrote this book with people like me in mind-people who want to read a good book that is helpful, funny, and easy to understand whether they are fifteen or ninety-five years old. I purposely left the clinical terms and fancy jargon out of this book. I wanted to create a book that made you feel like you were having a conversation with a friend rather than with a counselor. I am an average guy who believes in the American dream, his family, his friends, and the idea that all people are good. It seems that sometimes we just take the rockier paths in life. We all have choices and that's what makes life interesting. The answer to every question that we have is already inside of us. We just need to be reminded of that and I hope this book will be a helpful reminder. I truly believe that we are all connected on some level and that we should try to help each other out. Another reason I wrote this book was because I was looking for a hobby that would help me relax after working hard all day. I tried wood working, drawing, and stained glass. I didn't stick to any of them though because I didn't feel fulfilled by them. It doesn't matter what you do, but how you do it that really matters. I found writing to be both relaxing and rewarding. Anything you do with good intentions in your heart is always worthwhile, and that's why I stuck with writing. I figured if you take even one reminder from my book and get something good from it, I would feel fulfilled, blessed, and happy! I have been receiving some wonderful emails and letters from all over the world with people telling me about their own situations and how they coped with addictions, losses, and changes. I feel so blessed that in all of those conversations that I am being told my writing has helped in some way, even if it is by giving a few extra giggles or that I was able to remind them that we are never alone, we have each other! THANK YOU so much for also reminding me of that! Have fun, Mike

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

A compaint free world!

I was talking with my brother Bob and he gave me a bracelet that he got from church that says "A complaint free world.org". I haven't done my research on it yet but have have been wearing the bracelet for three days and am having a more challenging time than I thought I would with keeping with the challenge. How it works is, you put it on and wear it for 21 days and ANY time you start to complain, gossup, or talk negative you MUST switch the bracelet to your other arm and start over on your days! WOW, I am back on day one again and I thought I was pretty optomistic... I think it is a great idea for Lent or for everyday life, imagine a world without the gossup, the grouchiness, the rudeness and with more laughter and Love! It is possible and it is what we make of it, so have a FUN day filled with that joy and goodwill! Day #1 still, can you even beleive that??!!

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Forgiveness (from my book)

The key to true friendship and love is being sincere and being honest enough to say you are sorry or that you were wrong. When you say you are sorry, you must really mean it. I screw up a lot, but I try my best to be a good person and admit when I am wrong. That's why it is so easy for me to accept an apology from others when they do or say something unkind to me. I look at like this: we all wipe our butts the same way. All that means is we are all equal; no one is better than anyone else. It hurts the most when someone close to you does something bad to you, and it will be the hardest to forgive that person because you have so much love for him or her. But you will feel so much more joy when you forgive that person because the burden was the heaviest when you were carrying it around with you, like a thirty-pound weight around your heart. Whenever we do something that will hurt someone we love, there is always a reason for doing it. Whether it was because we were only thinking about ourselves, we didn't think before we did it, or we just didn't care, there is always a reason. When we screw up, we really should figure out what the reason for the screw up was so that we don't do it again. If we excuse it again, then there is a problem because it's becoming a nasty habit.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

LIZZIE WALKS ON THE WILD SIDE

http://www.strategicpublishinggroup.com/title/LizardTalesLizzieWalksOnTheWildSide.html HELLO TO ALL MY BLOGGING FRIENDS AND FAMILY, PLEASE CHECK OUT MY FRIEND ROSEMARYS FUN KIDS BOOK - IT IS A WONDERFUL BOOK THAT WILL ENTERTAIN AND TEACH ANY CHILD. The book is available on the above link, on Amazon, and on your favorite book sites! I loved this book so much that I just ordered five as gifts...

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Trish Silver spotlights new authors (Yessss...I'm one of them!)

Please follow the link BY CLICKING ON THE ABOVE TITLE ("Yessss...I'm one of them") to read about the five new authors featured this month by Trish Silver who is a great author who helps us newcomers along the way!

Help The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team!

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ct/fair10/agulbenk Please click on the above link and check out my friend Ani's page where she is training to run in a marathon for a great cause which is personal to both her and to many who have been affected by this illness.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Where do all the answers come from?

I have been trying a new form of meditating (relaxing) to help me to write my next book and have been trying to sit still and just do nothing for 30 minutes at a time. When I say nothing I mean no moving, no thinking, no reading, nothing! Let me tell you, the first time I tried this was really tough but within the first 20 minutes or so you will get the best answers from within. I didn't even ask myself any questions but still got answers! If you have any situations in your life that you are dealing with I would recommend that you give this a try. I have always believed that all the answers we will ever need are already inside of us, we just need to listen...

Friday, January 22, 2010

Toe Dancing!

We are constantly looking for Love, for the "right one" and for happiness but what we sometimes forget is that we need to constantly give that unconditional Love at all times. The law is that we get what we give and if we give Love not only to everyone we meet but, also to ourselves then we will have that Love attracted to us! Yes, misery loves company and the same is true with Love - Love loves company too...
A trick I do every morning as I awake to remind me to have a fun day is to wiggle my toes at least 50 times, yes it is like they are dancing! Dancing makes you feel energized and Loved so starting out my day with my toes dancing helps the rest of my body follow suit and join in during the day!
Lets make this a great Friday and even better weekend!

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Tough Love

What is tough love and what does it mean to you? I know for me it is a difficult subject but one that we all may encounter in our lives because it is not a perfect world. I have a friend who is a drug addict and has been fighting the habit for most of his adult life. I have tried to be there and found that it is a challenging roll to play because when you are dealing with an addiction you are trusting the drugs and not the person who is on the drugs. In my book I tell a story about the mama bird who pushes the baby birds out of the nest. As the baby bird starts to fall she instinctively starts to fly! This is the proudest time of the mama birds life and at the same time it was the most difficult time! Tough love is what the mama bird inherantly has to do in order for the babies to live in the big ol' sky and sometimes it is what friends must do for friends to survive in this big ol' world we live in. 
If you have a drug addiction it is important to find out what it is that is bothering you enough to turn to those drugs as a temporary fix and find the solution to the situations in your life, then fix them! If everyone seems to have lost trust in your word due to lies you have told then start being honest with yourself. The trust will be re-gained once you trust in yourself. The only person that you will be with for your entire life is yourself so you better like yourself! Enjoy the day reminding yourself that as long as you do better today than you did yesterday then you are heading down a good path in life. Never be afraid to ask for help because there are many who will love to help you because they love you and because they may have even been in your same situation or shoes at one time or another.
Let's make this a good day!      

Sunday, January 10, 2010

The book party celabration for 'Life In A Week'

I wanted to say Thank You to everyone who was able to attend the book party, reading, talk, and signing with me yesterday at Burgundy Books! We had a great time and great food with some of the nicest people around! I have some postings up on facebooks from some of my family and friends who attended so if you are a facebook member click on the link on this blog and become my friend so we can stay in touch more easily. I will let you know when and where the next signings will be at and let me know if you have any ideas or places that would be fun and where you can be there (it gives me a reason to travel!!)
Have a fun day, Mike

Friday, January 8, 2010

Thank You

I wanted to Thank everyone who bought my book as Christmas presents! We sold many books in the month of December and I had great feed-back from everyone so far (makes for a thoughtful birthday present too!). I wrote this book to help people with everyday stresses, struggles, and even for the over-drinkers who wanted to cut back or stop the habit BUT, the feed back I'm getting is "the book is so funny", "I couldn't stop laughing", and my favorite "it's the funniest self-help book I ever read!"  Maybe I should do stand up comidy! Anyways, Thanks again everyone and Thanks for passing the word along about 'Life In A Week' and the blog. Have a great weekend and I hope to see some of you tomorrow at the book party at Burgundy Books in East Haddam, CT       

Where we are now and where we are going...

We create our tomorrows by our actions today, just as what is happening to us today is caused by what we did yesterday! Every action creates a reaction and it truly is that simple. We really do create our destiny and I do not believe in chance or coincidence. This is true with everything in life whether we are trying to better our home lives, work situations, school grades, or social activities. If you want to be loved then love, if you want to be rich then work smarter, if you want to have closer friends then be friendlier and show that you really care.       

Monday, January 4, 2010

Book Party & Signing!

Hello everyone, I wanted to invite all my friends to Burgundy Books this Saturday at 3 p.m. for my book signing, discussion, and fun times. Burgundy Books is in East Haddam, CT - http://www.burgundybooks.com/ I hope to see you there! Have a fun week..

Friday, January 1, 2010

Honor & Remember

Honor & Remember Please click on this link and sign the petition for congress. It is a great cause to show your support for all the fallen hero's who helped keep us safe.

Cartoons with a positive message! I do this when I am bored (wierd)

About scams...