It's hard to believe, but another year has come and gone!
For me, personally, I have continued to remain clean & sober, and been proud to pass the message of recovery onto those who are still sick and suffering, or simply not living with enough self-esteem or self-confidence in order to reach their full potential.
I make no secrets about the fact that for many years - decades, actually - I was simply going through the motions in life, rather than living each day with a purpose.
However, after being released from prison in 2004 and getting my book, "Jew in Jail" published, I now wake up each and every single morning with gratitude and fulfillment, proud of how far I have come, yet knowing there is still much more to be done.
I have learned that true happiness is derived not from material possessions such as money, cars or jewelry, but by peace of mind, goodwill towards others, and love of family and friends.
For 2014, I hope to be blessed with even more opportunities to spread the message of recovery from addiction and keep motivating and inspiring others, no matter what difficulties they are experiencing, either via my blog, book, or in person at the various venues I am asked to attend.
What does the new year have in store for you?
Hopefully, 2014 will be the greatest year of your life, as you surround yourself with positive, loving people, who help make you the best person you were born to be!
After all, you are definitely worth it!
If you haven't read my book, "Jew in Jail" yet, I strongly urge you to do so.
http://ning.it/Lk20hZ
It tells the story of how I was finally able to decide to turn my life around from my past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling, under the worst conditions imaginable of being a minority behind bars.
In addition, I also invite all of you to check out this speech I delivered in October of 2012 to a group of inmates who graduated from a drug program at a jail in Richmond, Virginia, to demonstrate that, regardless of one's past, it is possible to overcome any difficulty and go on to lead a productive, positive and successful life.
http://youtu.be/dE4DFCbXRF4
potential (5)
Hello (insert YOUR name here).
It's been a while since we last spoke, and I just felt like this was a good time to reveal some of my innermost thoughts to you.
Although I have gone through so much in life, my resourcefulness has never wavered, and I realize that my past has not only made me strong, but I possess unlimited potential to do anything I choose to in life.
I may have allowed so many fantastic opportunities to slip through my fingertips due to my past behavior and indiscretions, but know that there are plenty of good years ahead for me to achieve my goals in life.
I have also learned that true friends are those people who love and care about you regardless of how much money you have in the bank, what type of car you drive, or what you can do for them.
In short, a true friend will remain loyal no matter what, and I have gained so much invaluable insight into that and other facts, which has helped me grow as a person myself.
Another thing I have learned is to show compassion for others, since there are always those who will have less than what I do, and everything in life is relative.
Therefore, instead of worrying about what I do not have, I simply wake up each and every single morning to count my blessings on how truly fortunate I am.
I am certainly not perfect, since there is no such thing as perfection in the first place.
However, if I continue to stay on my current path of learning and growing as a person, I will consider myself to be a success.
I have no idea what my future holds, but what I do know is that my past mistakes and experiences in life have made me the person I am today.
So, (insert YOUR name here), thank you so much for always sticking with me through thick and thin, and let's continue to take on the world together!
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!
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!
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!
It is human nature to sometimes feel that we are lacking in one aspect or another in life.
Whether it is our ability to solve mathematical equations, capacity to hold an intelligent conversation, or confidence to get on the dance floor and strut our stuff, we were all provided with these talents the day we were born.
It is merely up to each and every one of us to put these innate skills into use on a daily basis, and to have the necessary self-esteem to realize that there is nothing we can't do if we apply ourselves.
I am not claiming that we are all Isaac Newton, JFK, or John Travolta, but my point is that we can do anything we put our minds to, just like those who became famous in their respective fields did, and it only takes practice, determination and enthusiasm.
For me, alcohol, drugs and gambling became my Achilles' heel, which, upon deep introspection, I learned was caused by a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence on my part.
Consequently, by getting help for my addictions, I have been able to turn things around, which has resulted in my writing, "Jew in Jail," becoming a motivational & inspirational speaker, and enjoying a healthy and happy lifestyle, realizing that there is nothing I can't accomplish.
An important note to always remember is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with trying and failing at first, simply because it is part of the learning process.
On the other hand, not even making an attempt at something will only lead to "should've, could've, would've" later on in life, with the uncertainty of what might have been filling one's mind for years to come.
Put differently, an error of commission is much better than one of omission.
So, remember, you can do and become anything in life.
All it takes is a decision and the desire to try.
Until next time, always reach for the moon, because, even if you miss, you will be among the stars!
