We are now two weeks into 2014, and it is a good time to gauge where you are, as far as new year’s resolutions are concerned.
Millions of people vow to start each year by working out, eating healthy, quitting smoking, etc., but the majority give up on those commitments.
Why is this so?
Well, I am certainly no expert, but can only speak for myself.
First of all, I don’t even make any new year’s resolutions, because, quite frankly, I live the way I want to all throughout the year, and, therefore, don’t need to start doing anything from scratch from day one.
That is not to say that I have my “house in order” completely, but do by best to live the right way on a daily basis.
Perhaps it is because I spent nearly six years behind bars from 1998 to 2004, and do not want to chance returning to the negative lifestyle that I was involved in for so long back then, and now always maintain my focus on my top priorities in life.
Exercising, healthy eating, waking up with a smile on my face, and being grateful for where I am now in my life, are just a few of the constants that continue to keep me grounded and content these days.
Writing this blog, maintaining my sobriety, and delivering motivational & inspirational speeches to help others in their recovery, or anyone not living up to their full potential, are things I began doing once I came home from prison, and have truly become almost as important to me as breathing, since they are my personal ingredients for a happy, productive life.
Now, back to you, my readers.
For those of you who have made new year’s resolutions, and are now having a tough time keeping them, here’s some advice from me.
You might want to start off slow, rather than bite off more than you could chew.
For exercise, try walking a block every day for a week, and then each time after that, increase your distance by small increments until you arrive at a satisfying mark. If you feel that your stamina has built up to a good level, then by all means begin jogging.
As far as eating healthy, start your day off with a nutritious breakfast that will keep you full and energized until lunchtime.
Consuming a lunch that is high in protein will insure that you won’t get hungry and have to grab that unhealthy candy bar at around 2:00 in the afternoon.
For dinner, have a sensible meal that will carry you over to breakfast the following morning, including vegetables and a piece of fruit as a snack.
I find that drinking water all throughout the day not only keeps me away from binging on chocolate and chips, but also does wonders for the skin.
If you are a smoker – and I hope you are not – then quitting this nasty habit could very well be the toughest task of your entire life.
However, like anything and everything else, you have the power and the choice to accomplish this!
You weren’t born to lag behind anyone else in the world.
You are a winner and role model to others.
So, start to shine like the star you are!
motivational (3)
Since I love to write, and also help others, today's post is all about dispensing advice.
I may not know everything, and have surely made my share of mistakes in life, but over the past five years, nine months and four days, I feel like I have finally "righted my ship," and am now able to help others who might not currently be at their best.
I am clean and sober, working hard to promote my book, "Jew in Jail," speaking at meetings, writing this blog, consulting with clients over the phone, and am now ready, willing and able to devote some time to handing out advice on any subject that comes up, if anyone chooses to email me at Gman18NYC@aol.com, or contact me via this blog.
There are no topics off limits, and nobody should feel embarrassed about revealing whatever it is that is either bothering them, or they are having issues with.
I have been on both sides of the fence: from successful journalist and television producer, to New York State prisoner, and am now back, as an author, blogger, and motivational & inspirational speaker, focusing on recovery from addiction, and know the value of having someone take another under their wing and show interest in helping that human being out.
We all have unlimited potential to be anything we desire in life, but sometimes obstacles occur that cause us to doubt ourselves and our ability to overcome them.
That is where I come in, and hope to provide the support that you need to get you back on track from this temporary delay on your road to greatness.
So put your pride in your pocket, and let me in.
I want to help you realize your full potential, and live the best life you possibly can.
You are definitely worth it!
If you haven’t read my book, “Jew in Jail” yet, I hope you do.
It is chock full of insightful information on how I was able to recover from my past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling while incarcerated, and go on to lead a happy and healthful life myself.
Until next time, everyone, have a great day, and week ahead!
One thing I always make sure to tell my audience, when I am delivering a motivational & inspirational speech in order to increase their self-esteem and self-confidence, is that each and every single person can express their feelings by writing.
All it takes is a pen, piece of paper, and one's imagination and innermost thoughts.
Actually, in this internet age, the pen and paper aren't even necessary anymore, so it makes this "task" even easier!
For me, writing "Jew in Jail" (out by hand, incidentally) while serving my sentence in prison was incredibly therapeutic, at a time in my life when I was so down on myself for the situation I created.
It afforded me the opportunity to become introspective and reveal to myself why I had been acting out and behaving the way I was for so long, as well as figure out what caused my addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling in the first place, which led to my arrest and incarceration for robbery.
Since returning home a free man in 2004, I have been busy promoting "Jew in Jail," speaking at drug treatment programs, hospital detoxes, jails, schools, and anywhere else people need to hear an uplifting story of redemption.
The one constant I continuously maintain when I speak is the importance for humans to release their feelings, which, for me, is best served through writing.
Writing is one activity that doesn't punch a time clock, allows the participant to be his or her own boss, costs nothing but time, and has the potential to affect so many people's lives in a positive way.
While I am not knocking good old fashioned conversation, I feel writing has one major advantage that the former doesn't, which is the ability to go back days, weeks, months, or even years later and reread what has been written to chart one's progress and discover if anything beneficial became of putting those aforementioned thoughts down on paper or computer screen.
Writing is also very personal, so whether you call it a diary, journal, or whatever, give it a try.
Your brain is chock full of thoughts, feelings, emotions and ideas, many of which you might not even realize you have, unless you sit down and unleash them one word at a time.
I'm sure you have the "write" stuff inside of you, waiting to come out, so don't delay.
Your skills and talents need to be showcased at once.
Plus, who knows - you just may have the next best seller at your fingertips!
