Kevin and I met 30 years ago while preparing to spend a year touring with Up With People, an international touring group for young adults. Kevin and I were recently reunited after 30 years, at our 30 year Up With People reunion in Tucson, Arizona this summer.

I was immediately attracted to and inspired by Kevin’s warmth, respect for others and positive attitude. We hit it off immediately and have since become close friends.

I received a post from Kevin this morning on Facebook and, while I was on his page, I decided to read his profile. I was so impressed with his message and his dedication to serve and help others that I felt compelled to help get his message out.

Kevin’s mission is to prevent people from committing suicide. His message is bold and inspiring and deserves to be heard by every person in this planet.

The following is Kevin’s message in his “About Me” section on Facebook:

I am the Founder, Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief, Senior Writer, and Forum Administrator of Suicide.org, a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
We serve over 2,000,000 a year with our work — and we never rest. There are countless people who are suicidal, and we strive to provide them with the information and resources that they need so they can get immediate help. We also support countless suicide survivors (people who have lost loved ones to suicide), suicide-attempt survivors, and we work diligently to educate the public about suicide.

Statement:

I accept people as they are and take a strong stance against discrimination, whether it is based on race, religion, body weight, looks, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, or anything else! It should be exceedingly obvious to everyone that people are born black or white, gay or straight, man or woman, etc., and so discriminating against people is idiotic. Yet we live in a world filled with discrimination, which can lead to intolerance, hate, bullying, violence, and suicide. So let it be known that the racists, sexists, anti-gay, and anti-lesbian people of the world — and all those who discriminate, judge, and hate — are the most ignorant individuals on the planet.

And I stress this mindset in my nonprofit organization, Suicide.org — thus, Suicide.org accepts people as they are, cares for them, loves them, and fights for them, regardless of their skin color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion (or lack thereof), tattoos, piercings, body weight, looks, disabilities, disorders, or problems.

I couldn’t help but be moved by his passion and dedication to serve and help others. So, with his permission, I am helping spread the word.

I believe we are either working together or we’re not. We are either loving, respecting and serving each other or we’re not. The more I grow and learn, the more I believe there is no ‘in between’. How can we say we are not racist but discriminate against gays, homosexuals and lesbians? How can we say we are Christians but discriminate against other religions, cultures and beliefs? How can we say we are Humanitarians but judge others who aren’t like us?

We need more role models like Kevin Caruso on this planet.

Thank you for your service Kevin. God Bless you.

Love and Blessings.

Dean

If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, PLEASE visit this site : Suicide.Org and get help immediately! One life is precious to us all!

The Beyond discovery call is a weekly call held by LifePath and Hosted by Patrick Combs, LifePath’s Chief Transformational Officer.

This weeks call topped the charts.  Here are some of the notes I took. . .

Beliefs are neural networks than can be rewired. We can train our brain to be more positive and more powerful by doing certain exercises to over come Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTS ). John refers to this as Neuro Reconditioning.

The premise behind this process is that certain thoughts release chemicals into our bodies. We’ve all experienced how our bodies react to fear, excitement, joy etc. When you have a negative thought over and over again, your body becomes addicted to that chemical release and will continue to seek that experience. The same happens with positive thoughts. Unfortunately, we’ve been taught for the most part, to be habitually negative.”I’ll never be healthy, thin wealthy, successful”. . .etc. We all desire these things but habitually and subconsciously don’t believe we can have them. The truth is WE CAN! We just have to reprogram our brains.

For example, John uses the scenario of someone who has been making $30k a year for many years. They desire more so they work hard on increasing their income. They may increase it briefly but eventually will end up back where they were.

John  explains that sometimes we sabotage our success because we want to get back to our comfort zone. Back to where the body and mind are accustomed to being. We may really want to change but because of our addictions and habitual thinking we will end up and ground zero.

Why is it that so many people who win the lottery end up right back where they were before winning? Why is it that Donald Trump can make millions, lose everything and bounce back and become a Billionaire? The answer is Neuro Conditioning!

What we need to do is change our ground zero by reprogramming our minds to become addicted to positive thoughts and outcomes. Thoughts of wealth, health, prosperity and success. This can be done by doing certain exercises for 5-15 minutes a day. These exercises are explained in Johns book  ‘The Answer’. John has dedicated the past 25 years to this process and has assisted tens of thousands of people in creating wealth, health and prosperity in their lives.

One of the steps is using daily affirmations.

I am so grateful now that I am earning $_____ a month/year.

I am so grateful now that I am at my ideal body weight of_____.

You may not believe these at first but the beauty is you don’t have to. If you continue you affirm several times each day, over time you will start to accept these affirmations as truth.

Another step in the process is to act, feel and think as though you’ve already reached your goal. This can be done by visualization. Just imagine you’ve reached your goal and how great it will feel. Overtime you will get addicted to that positive feeling.

These are just a few steps in the process. It’s important to remember that our beliefs and thoughts have taken a lifetime to develop. The good news is that they don’t have to take a life time to overcome but they will take work. John says than you can start seeing major results in 10 weeks.

Is today the day you decide to take control of your life?

I’m buying the book today.

To Your Success,

Dean

You don’t have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them.
Just read the e-mail straight through, and you’ll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4 Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday.
These are no second-rate achievers.
They are the best in their fields.
But the applause dies..
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials..
The most money…or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most

Pass this on to those people who have either made a difference in your life, or whom you keep close in your heart, like I did.
‘Don’t worry about the world coming to an end today. It’s already tomorrow in Australia!’

”Be Yourself. Everyone Else Is Taken!

Have a Great Day.

1. I know that I have the ability to achieve the object of my Definite Purpose in life. Therefore I demand of myself persistent, continuous action towards it attainment, and I here and now promise to take such action.

2. I realize the dominating thoughts of my mind will eventually reproduce themselves in outward, physical action and gradually transform themselves into physical reality. Therefor I will concentrate my thoughts for 30 minutes daily upon the task of thinking of the person I intended to become, thereby creating in my mind a clear, mental picture of that person.

3. I know the principle of autosuggestion (repeating and affirming) that any desire I persistently hold in my mind will eventually seek expression through some practical means of attaining the object. therefore I will devote 10 minutes daily to demanding of myself the development of elf confidence.

4. I have clearly written down a description of my Chief Aim (goals) in life. I will never stop trying until I have developed sufficient self-confidence for it’s attainment.

4. I fully realize that no wealth or position can long endure unless built on truth and justice. Therefore I will engage in no transaction that does not benefit all whom it affects. I will succeed by attracting to myself the forces I wish to use and the cooperation of other people. I will induce others to serve me because of my willingness to serve others. I will eliminate hatred, jealousy, envy, selfishness, and cynicism by developing love for all humanity because I know that a negative attitude towards others can never bring me success. I will cause others to believe in me because I will believe in them and in myself. I will sign my name to this formula, commit it to memory and repeat it aloud once a day, with full faith that it will gradually influence my thoughts and actions so that I will become a self-reliant and successful person.

Inspiring poem:

If you think you are beaten you are,
If you think you dare not you don’t,
If you like to win but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.

If you think you’ll lose you’re lost,
For out of the world we find,
Success begins with a person’s will-
It’s all in the state of mind.

If you think you’re outclassed you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.

Life’s battles don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man,
But soon or late the one who wins
Is the one WHO THINKS HE CAN!

You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that others  won’t feel insecure around you. We are meant to shine as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us: it’s in everyone.  And as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same .  As we’re liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

That pretty much says it all.  I hope it serves you as it is serving me.

Blessings.

Company co-founder Patrick Combs www.goodthink.com interviews different guests each week on the topic of Personal Development. This weeks guest was Martin Latulippe  www.martinlatulippe.ca/home.cfm.

Here is a brief article from the notes I took. . . .

What does separate those who do from those who don’t? In a word it’s decision or choice. In order to experience transformation or change in our lives, at some point we must decide to do so. We must be willing to accept full responsibility for who and what we are and let go of trying to blame others and past circumstances for where  or who we are today. Yes, our parents have strongly influenced who we are. Yes, there are circumstances that are difficult and can have a lasting effect on us. But, have you ever wondered  why, that no matter how difficult someone has it, there’s always  someone else who’s worse off than them who’s found a way to be successful? Look at Christopher Reeve,  Stephen Hawking, Sean Stevenson just to name a few. What are they doing differently?

First you must make the decision to do so. then you must be willing to do whatever it takes to achieve the results your looking for.

Here are a few pointers that may help to get started on that journey. . .

Make the decision. Success is most definitely a choice.

Keep your commitments. Set a goal to get started on your new journey immediately and keep your promises to yourself. Write down any excuse that will get in the way on a piece of paper and burn it. Martin refers to this as “Taking out the trash.” Don’t worry about getting ready. You’re never fully ready. Get started and stay on track. Just do the thing and you’ll get the energy to do the thing! Consistency and commitment are essential ingredients for success.

Manage your emotions. We can’t always control what happens to us but we can control our response. Everything happens for a reason. It’s up to us to decide how we can learn from each experience. One of my favorite quotes is: “You cannot determine the direction of the wind but you can determine the direction of your sail” - Jim Rohn

Be in Service! Every successful mentor or success trainer I’ve ever heard can’t stress this enough. If you want to improve your results increase your service. If you’re the only one benefiting from your success then is that true success? Those who are truly successful are providing a service to others.

Focus and celebrate the progress. We all want results but we must realize that victories come in all sizes. Celebrate the small victories as well as the big.. Getting started on the journey is a huge victory. Keep a journal of all  successes big or small along the way. Read them often.

Be kind to yourselves. Nothing can stop your progress quicker than negative thinking. Treat yourself with respect and love and others will respond in like.

Be grateful. Give thanks daily for all that you have already.

Finally, in closing, I will leave you with a quote from Martin Latulippe: “Most people spend their life waiting for a miracle to happen. Other people just decide to BE the miracle.”

Beyond Discovery calls are hosted every Saturday at 11am EST. If you would like to be my guest and listen in on one just email me at: dpierno@shaw.ca

To your successful journey. . .

Dean

Sometimes we just need to pause, reflect and take time to appreciate what we have and the gifts surround us every day. I, We have a lot to be grateful for.

I recently celebrated my 48^th birthday and my wife Laureen had a small gathering with family and close friends. Once you reach a certain age in life, presents, although still fun to give and fun to receive, are less important and tend to have little lasting effects. A Gift however, especially one from the heart of someone you love, will remain with you for eternity.

Last night I received such a gift.

My 23 y/o son Nicholas has a gift for lyrics and poetry and he wrote me this poem:

Such a man could never be
that teaches while he learns
believes in more than he can see
walks harder when it burns

how could I grow up, be strong
how could I be wise
even when it takes so long
he’ll take as many tries

fruit does not derive from seeds
those just form the tree
love and care for all its needs
and blossoms you will see

often fruits will take so long
if they ever even come
even lyrics to the song
won’t always match the tune you hum

to take the time to nourish me
to be the sun that shines
to have the wherewithal to be
the worker in the mines

a diamond you may never see
yet pick and dig you do
a son that makes you proud to be
it’s like as if you knew

wonder how I would have turned
if you’d never dug me out
you’d not believe what I have learned
but that’s what its about

such a man could never be
’cause that’d be way too rad
but one thing I have learned to see
there’s such a man..

I call him Dad

It is my observation that we can spend our lives acquiring things such as nice cars, nice clothes, nice houses and nice toys but in the end they are and will remain just things. They are fun to acquire and fun to have and for many, can make life very enjoyable but in the end, again, they are just things.

I believe our souls will live forever and with our soul will remain not the things we have acquired but the people whose souls we have touched and those who have touched our souls, the people we have forgiven and those who have forgiven us, those who we have helped or assisted in some way an those who have helped us and most importantly, those we have loved and those who have loved us. Yes, these ‘things’ will remain with our souls forever.

My soul was touched deeply by this gift last night and so it is my wish to share my gift with you.

I am one very grateful dad.

Thank you Nicholas.

Publication: Manufacturing & Technology News
Date: Sunday, March 11 2007

The U.S. automotive industry has announced the layoff of almost 90,000 workers so far this year, and this year’s total could top the 110,000 announced layoffs made last year, according to Challenger Gray & Christmas. “Suppliers may be the next source for major workforce reductions as they adjust to the new reality of smaller American automakers,” says the outplacement firm. “Plant closings by Ford and General Motors will also ripple through the economy possibly resulting in job cuts throughout a variety of industries as communities struggle with higher unemployment.”

Last year at this time about 83,000 layoffs had been announced in the automotive sector. This year’s job cut announcements of 87,000 already exceeds the total number of layoff announcements made in 2004 (77,174) and 2003 (74,506). The highest number of layoff announcements made over the past 10 years in the auto sector occurred in 2001 at 133,686.

By Luke Mullins.

US News & World Report

Posted February 6, 2009
So, where the heck is this bottom? The question is stealing sleep from weary homeowners who have watched home prices plummet 21 percent from their 2006 peaks, evaporating more than $2 trillion in wealth last year. Meanwhile, government officials, who witnessed the U.S. housing market’s collapse tip the global financial system into chaos, are scratching their heads for answers. Yet the numbers keep heading south. How much more pain can this market dish out?
Trouble is, despite the already precipitous declines, home prices aren’t expected to bounce back anytime soon. Actually, a slew of unsettling developments—the ongoing recession, tighter credit, and the massive glut of unsold inventory, just to name a few—suggest values have farther to drop. “I think it will be probably mid-2010 before we see the bottom in home prices,” says Mission Residential’s chief economist, Richard Moody, who expects values to fall 10 to 15 percent more before stabilizing.

Could the market spring back to life before then? Perhaps. Cheap mortgage rates, which hit record lows in January and are expected to remain attractive, are the best reason to hold out hope for an earlier-than-expected rebound. “Low interest rates are a very powerful tonic for housing markets,” says Kenneth Rosen, chairman of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the University of CaliforniaBerkeley. But as banks jack up their lending standards in the face of higher delinquencies, many would-be homeowners won’t qualify for the most attractive rates, blunting the impact of this incentive.

But for a housing market that grew wildly overvalued during the first half of the decade, lower prices are just what the doctor ordered. By August 2005—as the real estate boom approached its crescendo—median home sales prices had swelled to nearly four times Americans’ average after-tax incomes. That’s way too expensive for most Americans (median home prices in healthy housing markets typically cost less than three times incomes). The housing market can’t come back until affordability is restored, and that’s just where crashing home prices come in.

By November 2008, the historic drop in property values had already whittled median home prices down to just over 2.5 times incomes—pulling this key ratio below levels you’d see during periods of stability. “This is how you correct overvaluation,” says John Lonski, managing director of Moody’s Capital Markets Economics. “Even though it’s very painful, you’re moving home prices in a direction that enhances affordability and lessens the risk of another big slump.”

The problem, however, is that home prices are likely to go overboard on the way down, just as they overshot on the way up. Even as houses get cheaper, buyers may be scared off by gloomy unemployment figures or painful memories of the bust. Meanwhile, others won’t qualify for loans. In order for housing to stabilize, prices have to get low enough to pull buyers—as a group—back into the market despite these fears (lower mortgage rates will also help). Lonski expects prices to bottom in the spring of 2010.

Amid lower prices and cheaper mortgage rates, 2009 will present plenty of opportunities for would-be home buyers. But with the economy mired in what may turn out to be the nastiest recession in decades, anyone purchasing a home this year should proceed with caution.