Click on the MARY book cover to order your copy for only $19.95 on Amazon

Friday, August 29, 2014

How To Make Sure Your Prayers Are Answered

So, how do you make sure your prayers are answered?
  
Go to Church, Temple, or whatever and wherever you call your loving-kind house of worship; and once inside, kneel down, or stand, clasp your hands - and then forget yourself and your own prayers.

Instead, pray for the person, kneeling down or standing in front of you.

In doing so, Heaven will be so astounded with your compassion and unselfish love, that your prayers, even unspoken, will be heard.

In placing the needs of others first, before your own, your Light will shine so bright, that it will become impossible for Heaven not to bless you.

Friday, August 22, 2014

It's All About Balance

As the years go by, we apply, and hopefully learn from our life experiences.

Naturally, we become more mature as time passes.

The key is to find moderation in all we do...to not let bitterness be the singular result from disappointments - and yet, also - to not become completely selfish when things may for a time at least...continually go our way.

 Again, the answer is found in balance.

To make mature decisions, be responsible and take and be in charge of our lives at every turn - but also to make sure we never lose the child's heart and carefree spirit.

Monday, August 18, 2014

Reject the Rejections!

I don't know about you, but my brain only functions on positive thought.

Or at least, it only functions WELL on positive thought; positive thought and words motivate me.

Negative thinking...just writing that phrase...is disfunctional to me; it deflates me;  there isn't enough room in my brain for negative thought.

Yes, it's a fact that we live in a broken world.

And that in and of itself may sound like negative thinking; but it's ultimately it's a truth of this world.

So what do we do?

Well, all I can tell is you what I do...and/or at least strive to do:

Ultimately, I live by a joyful rule...a hard and fast rule...but a joyful rule:

Whatever we concenrate on, expands.

Focus on the good, things get better.

Focus on the bad, things get worse.

Upon first consideration, it seems a difficult task to think positive, and be positive, mostly because we're not yet in Heaven and we are yet unable to grasp the Heavenly things of perfection.

But thinking only good thoughts all the time, even in the midst of turmoil...in fact...especially in the face of turmoil...is just like laughing at a bully:

Laughter renders bullies powerless.

As such, positive thoughts do the same with negative thinking and circumstances.

So concenrate only on the good.

Think only good.

Speak only good.

Project only good..and discard the negative...laugh in the face of a bully...reject them and reject all negative thought...reject the rejections!

We'll never be able to fix this broken world.

But we can certainly mend at least a few of its cracks with positive, joyful "glue-full," glee-full thinking.

And then - watch, as if by magic, how the heart-"breaks" become less and less...while the heart-"warmths" increase and increase again!

Friday, June 27, 2014

Essay of Love

Love threads the Universe.

Love outlines, "in-lines" and embodies the grid of each world and dimension.

Love is the tapestry of life.

Love is pure and we are deserving of it.

This is our time for Love.

It is an anointed time.

It is solid.  It is unchangeable.  It is set in stone.  It is blessed.  It is holy.  It is sound.

It is all good because of the fabric of good that lines our souls...the grid of our hearts...

...the hearts of gold that are laced with lines of joy that reach Love and allows Love to se us clearer and clearer each day.

Love hears the Angels, through which we have graces and anointing.

Love prays for us, and we pray to Love, and yet we never have to request a prayer from Love...
...for Love hears us and sees us through Love...with each act of Loving-Kindness.

Love Loves us like never before...like before we were born when Love planned today.

Love is happy for us.

We serve as blessings to Love, and we have made Love proud, even though pride is something that Love is unfamiliar with.

It pleases Love to please us because we ARE Love and Love Loves us.

There is no other way to say it..."Love Loves us."

And we are happy because Love sees us, and Love sees us because we are happy...

...because there is nothing but "happy" wherever Love is, and Love is everywhere...
...and everywhere we are.

So, let us sit back, and rest in Love, and let the feather of Love fall into our hands.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

FOCUS!!!

Stop spinning your wheels.

Stop starting one project while not finishing another.

Finish one project to completion - and THEN move on.

Stop cluttering your life with new additions.

Instead, start SUBTRACTING.

Not multiplying or dividing.

FOCUS on one thing at a time.

One PROJECT at a time.

One PERSON at a time.

Talk WITH people...not at them.

Clear your head of objectives and goals that have nothing to do with today.

Stop moving.

Stop traveling.

Be great where you are, first...then begin a new motion.

But remain where you are, first...

Accomplish what's right in front of you - and then tackle what's ahead.

Stop complicating your life - and start simplifying your life.

Focus!

FOCUS!!

FOCUS!!!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Endorsements and reviews for GLAMOUR, GIDGETS AND THE GIRL NEXT DOOR.


Here are the women that we Baby Boomers wanted to be, date, or go shoe shopping with in mid-century America. What a fabulous shindig Herbie J Pilato has thrown to celebrate these luscious legends! Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door is a joy for any TV fan who was there when these classic shows were new, and a must-read for anyone who wasn’t.
Frank DeCaro, Sirius XM radio host and author of The Dead Celebrity Cookbook

This book is a marvelous feast of observations that celebrate the glorious days of Hollywood’s Gidgets and glamorous women that we should never forget. Herbie J Pilato is a brilliant author who preserves Hollywood history in a way that no other author has succeeded in doing.
Margaret Wendt, award-winning executive producer, director, and journalist

From Loni Anderson to the Lennon Sisters, Herbie J Pilato’s collection of small screen legends reminds us that America’s pop-culture icons have never fit neatly into one simple mold. Americans have always been drawn to beauty and glamour, but there is more to the timeless subjects of Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door, and it is revealed more clearly with each turn of a page.
Terry Marks, president and CEO, Hooters of America

Fans of classic TV will surely treasure Herbie J Pilato’s insightful new collation of our favorite ‘girls’ from yesteryear. Herbie’s reflections and his collection of rarely seen photos will transport you back to simpler times and wonderful memories of these glamorous ladies.
David Van Deusen, editor/publisher of The Walnut Times, the Dick Van Dyke Show newsletter

Why is it that so many books written about the entertainment industry aren’t entertaining? Not so with Herbie J Pilato’s Glamour, Gidgets, and the Girl Next Door. He’s clearly enamored with the business and the actresses, and it’s a fun read. This isn’t one of those tell-all books, revealing private secrets that should’ve stayed untold—it’s a positive, fact-filled celebration of these women.
Treva Silverman, Emmy Award–winning story editor of The Mary Tyler Moore Show and That Girl

As soon as I began to read Herbie J Pilato’s Glamour, Gidgets and the Girl Next Door, a wide grin appeared on my face. It never disappeared. This book is a joyous account of the wonderful women from yesteryear’s television. I’m happy to say that I knew and worked with many of them. Anybody who watched their delightful shows appreciated their talent and beauty.
William Wellman, Jr., actor, author, and son of famed director William Wellman

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Here's to Your Health!

Ok, Everyone -

It's time to stop eating like crap.

We want you want you off your meds as quickly as possibly (and under your doctor's guidance, of course) - and it all begins with your digestive health.

So, real quick - here's the way to go:

Eliminate ALL junk food, red meat, alcohol, and processed foods, as each of these things are poison to the body.

If it's boxed, canned, wrapped or bagged - don't eat it or drink it.

Instead, DUMP it!

And that means cereal - and mostly milk and all dairy; as milk is mucus-forming and clogs the arteries.

Organic fruits and vegetables are the way to begin your day...ultimately in freshly-juiced form...which means you have to purchase a juicer.  The Fusion Juicer, via Amazon.com, is a relatively inexpensive way to go best way to go.

Other than that, begin your day with BRAGG's Apple Cider Vinegar....just a dash of it in a glass of purified or distilled water.

And eat lots of beets and radishes, all of which purify the blood...as does the Apple Cider Vinegar. 

I know some of this information is jarring...and change doesn't happen over night.  Especially when you're used to eating and drinking one way, and then making a 360 turn.

But what I say here is the truth, especially about the milk (it does NOT do a body good!) and processed foods like crap cereal. 

If anything, at least drink Almond or Coconut Milk.

And eat lots of sauerkraut (it's a natural probiotic) - and stay away from fast food!

More later!

 
 

Monday, May 12, 2014

This Is Your A-Life

Nobility, dignity, commitment....

These are the traits of a sincere and superior humanity.

Add to them a sense of humor, a strong mind, and a loving-kind heart and you will have your purpose.

In the process, you become a super being, invincible to the cares of the world, blessed in the eyes of Heaven.

While others struggle, you soar.

While others seek and pine, you find.

Your path is of the higher road, less traveled; paved with good preventions that protect you from the dark...in which you never find yourself because you are the Light.

Monday, April 7, 2014

What We Can All Learn from Tip Employees

Decades ago - when I first moved to Los Angeles, I held many a waiter and front desk position in various restaurants, hotels and private country clubs in the county.

I was trained on how important it was to offer my service with a smile and enthusiasm.  "The bigger the smile," I was told by numerous supervisors, "the bigger your tip."

Today, at the other end of the spectrum, I find myself dining out a lot...entertaining clients, vendors, business associates during various meetings for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  Of course, I pick up the tab, which means I'm also the one who leaves the tip.

And because I frequent certain establishments (specifically in the Burbank area), many of the waiters and waitresses know who I am.  However, I notice that they only smile at me when they serve me or my given-party.  On certain days, if I am served by a colleague of theirs, their colleague smiles as me, but they do not.

When this happens, I have thought, "Geeze, I thought that waitress (or waiter) was a really nice person.  But they were only smiling at me to get a good tip."

That said, I always give a good tip...even if I am served in a less-worthy manner (or even without a smile from my own server).....because I've "been there," and I get it.

But now I'm thinking:  What if we ALL smiled and each other....and did for one another in the highest regard on a daily basis?  What if we treated each other as if we were going to "tip" one another for our kind demeanor?

What a different world it would be.

Everyone would be walking around smiling at each other and while there would not be any "tips," per say, the result would be even more profitable:  

If we all "pretended" that every smile we gave would be returned with a "monetary tip," we would, in the process, be blessed if not financially, but physically, emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually...on so many levels.  Because ultimately a smile can work more wonders in our lives...for the health....not only of our bodies...but for the health of our minds and our spirit.

In turn, as well, we would be more generous with others, and most likely end up "paying it forward" in countless additional ways that we would not even be able to measure; and then, in double return, we would reap the "benefits" of our generosity, ten-fold.

In other words, the best way to live your A-Life, is to do for others when there is absolutely nothing in it for you.

Then watch how you start to receive EVERYTHING you've ever wanted.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Unstoppable Prayers

"I agree with what I eat, and what I eat agrees with me.  I am at peace with all people and all situations.  I do not resist or antagonize anything or anybody.  My stomach is strong, wise and energetic.  I always think and speak of it as capable of doing its work perfectly.  I do not impose on my stomach by overloading it.  I am guided by Divine Wisdom in my eating and drinking, and I follow its guidance.  After eating, I quietly relax, release all cares, and give my stomach an opportunity to do its perfect work."

"I am satisfied with Divine Substance.  The Substance of Love now erases all fatigue from my body, renews tissues, and replenishes energy.  Divine Substance stabilizes my mind and prospers my affairs.  Every longing of my soul and every need of my life is now fulfilled.  I am satisfied with Divine Substance."

"The Divine Light within me is all-healing of any and all sense of hurt, injury, or bitterness.  Love is all there is in my mind and heart.  I cast all sense of injury, hurt, resentment upon the Divine Light within, which sets me free.  While I am speaking, every cell hears my call and responds to the power of Divine Light and Love, now and ever released in me."

"The Forgiving Light of Love sets me free from the past, and from the results of mistakes of the past.  There is no condemnation in the Divine Light, and there is no condemnation in me.  I am uplifted and upheld by the Divine Light of Love, and the Divine Love of Light.  No disease exists in the Divine Light and in Divine Love, and therefore my Body Tempe of Divine Light and Love is filled with Divine Perfection, Divine Strength, and Divine Health.  Divine Light and Divine Love frees, cleanses and heals me now, and forever."

"Amen."

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

"Love" + "Forgiveness" = "Healing"

Everyone has challenges in life, be they physical, financial, emotional, psychological...or any other area or aspect of life.
 
There are some of us who are born into this world with physical ailments, while others of us develop physical challenges.
 
There are those of us are born rich, and then lose it all....there are those of us who are born poor, and gain it all.
 
So, ultimately - within the realm of this imperfect world...there are some things we can control - and others that we cannot.
 
But one thing is for certain...in our comings and goings...Love and Forgiveness are the strongest of our stronghold.
 
If we are physically ill in any way, no amount of medicine or prayer will heal us if we do not have Love and Forgiveness in our heart.
 
We cannot ask Heaven to help us heal if we hold bitterness or hatred or unforgiveness towards any other living being...or even ourselves.
 
Self-hatred can be just as detrimental as displaying un-Love to another.
 
Therefore, if you are experiencing any physical challenge that has developed in your Body Temple AFTER you were born....than I would urge you to Love and Forgive anyone who has ever hurt you...or anyone who you presently despise...including possibly yourself.
 
Because Love is unable to heal you completely...again...no matter any amount of medicine that you may take...unless you are open to Love's healing by Loving and Forgiving others and yourself...for being imperfect.
 
Love can only see Love.  If there is hate or bitterness or unforgiveness in you, Love cannot see you....those things become like mud in Love's eyes.
 
And again, this particular healing process - for the moment, anyway - is geared specifically towards a disorder that has developed in your lifetime since birth...and NOT for a disorder that you may have been born with.
 
THAT healing description is for another email.
 
In the meantime, here are a few lines of Light that will lead you to your complete healing of any physical (or even financial, emotional or psychological disorder) that you may have developed over time, since birth, or as recent as yesterday.
 
And they work....but again...only when there is complete forgiveness in your heart...for others - and yourself.
 
So, Love and forgive others...and give affection to yourself, too...in saying...
 
 
"Dear Abba Father of Lights, King of Kindness, Prince of Peace and Divine Blessed Mother of the Mighty Heart....thank You for leading me to Love, for allowing Love to lead me in all of my ways, for all of my days...as I cling myself to Thee, to Thine, to Thy Love....and have Thy will and not mine be done.  Amen."
 
 
and 
 
 
"Thank you, God, for Life and Light, abundant, full and free...for perfect, boundless health, wealth and the power of Love and Forgiveness, unhampered Liberty.  Amen."

Thursday, February 13, 2014

The "Gravity" of Your Situation is Your "Legacy of Light"

I finally saw the Oscar-nominated film Gravity over the weekend.

Visually, it's brilliant.

Story and character-wise, it's flawed.

A brief three-minute exposition at the opening, with Sandra Bullock and George Clooney with their space helmets off would have been nice.

We first meet them in space, and can hardly see them.

They chat a little bit about their lives, and then BOOM - the action begins.

As a result, I felt myself not caring enough about what happened to their characters.

But that's okay - the film wasn't meant to be Shakespeare.

As I say, if anything, it was visually stunning; and a few scenes in particular captured my attention.

Like when Sandra Bullock finds a measure of relief and safety, and she cuddles up in a capsule as if a baby in a womb.  In fact, it was many such "capsule" scenes in the film that were sprinkled with genius imagery....some, too, that inspired and reminded me of other thoughts and images.

Case in point:  When my Mom passed away in 2008, I wrote about how, in my view, our journey and final destination is like a rocket soaring into space. The pieces of us that we don’t need – fall off as we move closer to the Light of God's embrace – until all that is left is the little capsule that holds our soul; how my Mom's capsule, in particular, filled with every loving thought and every act of loving kindness that she ever displayed on Earth - is now not only bundled together, but magnified, multiplied and showcased in Heaven.

And that goes for all of us....whatever good we think say and do is remembered by Heaven; the rest falls away.

In this way, each of us have our own personal, immeasurable, immortal - and priceless "Legacy of Light" that we not only leave behind on Earth - but also take with us to Heaven.

What a wonderful a thing.

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Love as a blessing or a curse? It's your choice.

We're only human.

We all swear, or use a "curse" or a "cuss" word from time to time.

When we stub our toe...make a big or little mistake...in a moment of distress, anger, depression, or whenever.

After all, these things can't be helped. 

We live in an imperfect world.

But the only "cursing" that I would suggest that we all should refrain from "expressing," is taking the Lord's name in vain - however you may view or experience the "Lord" or "God" in your life.

Whether you're Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or if, like myself, you are a "Love-tian," then it's ultimately not a "good" thing...for anybody...but especially yourself, if you take the Lord's name in vain.

Here's the deal:

What if anytime, anywhere - anyone who got angry took YOUR name in vain?

That would be a lot of "cursing" coming over your way, wouldn't it?

Of course - and who wants that?

That said, too - and just to be clear, "Christ" is not the last name of Jesus or anything of that nature; and it always makes me laugh when people think such a thing; because that couldn't be further from the truth.

In the original Sacred Scriptures of what we have come to know as "The Bible," Jesus was referred to as "Jesus THE Christ," which when translated from ancient sanskrit means, "Jesus, the Enlightened One" or "The One of Light."

And for whatever reason, later editors of The Bible removed the "The" from in between "Jesus" and "Christ," and today the majority of our world refers to Jesus as "Jesus Christ."

Anyway, when anyone takes what they believe as the "first" or "last" name of Jesus "in vain," that ultimately brings upon darkness, as they are basically cursing "The Light."

By the same regard, when someone corrupts the name "God," which and who is "Love"...or better stated "Love IS God," then they ultimately damn the idea, concept and experience of Love itself in their lives.

And why would anyone want to "curse" that?

Monday, February 3, 2014

The Simple Treasures

I've accomplished a great deal in my life.

For one, I've met and befriended everyone that I've everyone wanted to meet.

Elizabeth Montgomery...Farrah Fawcett...Lindsay Wagner...Lynda Carter....David Carradine....Lee Majors...all my childhood idols and dreams come true.

And it's been wonderful.  Meeting each of them was lovely.

For the last thirty years or so, I've also attended Hollywood galas, and parties and events, and shared numerous other good times, all of which has also been joyous.

And yet, none of it compares to the simple treasures of life...like visiting the corner drug store for the right last-minute decorations at Christmas-time...or just having coffee or playing cards with family members or friends.

Certainly, too, of course, having a family to care for - or be a part of - is an immeasurable joy.

Being a father is one of life's treasures that I have yet to discover.

That too has always been a dream of mine.

But for whatever reason, that has yet to be...and maybe it might not ever be.

It all depends, I guess, I what I truly want...because I do believe that we always get what we sincerely desire...whether we're conscious of our life choices or not.

In the meantime, however, I make every conscious decision to be joyful...to be kind to others...and myself...to always appreciate more than ever the simple treasures of life.

For it's the simple treasures that keep us sane, stable and grounded...simple treasures help us to live a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Yet many, mostly the superstars of our culture, are unschooled in how to attain and hold on to the simple treasures.

Elvis tried...more than most...but he failed.  Marilyn Monroe had a good heart...but she was a lost soul in a land of vipers.  Philip Seymour Hoffman, God bless his soul, was a mammoth talent...but he just couldn't hold on.  His talent and his drive outweighed his ability to appreciate the simpler treasures. 

And while I'm not sure why that happened...I know why I have always been strong enough to see the forest through the trees.

I had a solid if modest upbringing.

I was never taught to feel I was better than other people...and somehow...that filtered into every aspect of my life...in many productive ways.  I always learned to treat people as equals...including Elizabeth Montgomery...Farrah Fawcett...Lindsay Wagner...Lynda Carter...Lee Majors...and David Carradine.

Each of them appreciated that I treated them like real people.  I respected them, but I didn't fawn over them.

Somehow, they knew that I appreciated the simple treasures of life...that allowed me to experience the unequaled riches of life...like having childhood dreams come true.





Thursday, January 30, 2014

Show yourself some loving-kindness and affection

Nobody's perfect.

We all make mistakes.

And you should never be made to feel that you're the only one who makes mistakes - and you should never let anyone else feel like they are the only one who makes mistakes.

We live in an imperfect world - and we are all imperfect.

If we were perfect - we wouldn't be here.

We'd be in Heaven.

But one way to get at least a little piece of Heaven on Earth is to learn to let things go.

If someone has recently hurt you forgive them.  Immediately.

If you've recently hurt someone, unintentionally or otherwise, manifest that they forgive you.

If they do not, if you have apologized and made every effort to make amends, and still, they do not forgive you, well - then all you can do is bless them on their way.

You can still love people without having them in your life - especially if they are destructive to your life - or self-destructive to theirs.

We're all doing the best we can.

And we can only do what we can do.

Nothing more.

Nothing less.

Just don't be so hard on yourself - or on anyone else for that matter.

In short, be loving-kind...and be brave enough to share and shine your affection...on others...if mostly yourself...in an unselfish way...to love others...and yourself...unconditionally.

You aren't nearly as "bad" as you think you are or as others may sometimes lead you to believe and vice-versa.

If anything, please do remember this quote from Emerson:

"No man is an island; no one goes their way alone.  Whatever we send out into the lives of others, comes right back into your own."

So, send out only good words...good thoughts...good vibes...love...and forgiveness - to others - and for yourself.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

You are Beautiful and a Blessing

We each have our creative talents in the world.

Some can sing and dance.

Other can write.

Still others can count or excel in a particular sport.

But each of us - in on our way - make our contribution.

Each of our contributions, no matter how large or small, are important and beautiful.

What each of us does best ultimately contributes not only to those who obviously and directly benefit from our contributions - but all people, consciously or subconsciously, reap the rewards of your good gifts.

We are each part of the entirety of all; we each are a peg or a particle in the matrix of everything that was, is and will be.

Never feel that you are insignificant or that what you do is insignificant - especially if each time you speak, act, create, believe, think or do anything with loving-kindness.

Loving-kindness, or Love - for short, lasts forever.

Everything else, in the long run, falls away.

So, shine your great talent - your great Light...for all to see and bask in your great glow.

And in the process of your graceful glimmering, you become a blessing to the world.

Speak Your Way To Perfect Health

"I now consecrate my mind and body to you, Dear Father.  I am now willing and ready to give up the old ways, the false beliefs that have bound me.  I am now ready to take the new higher life from Universal Mind.  Dear Father, I know you have forgiven all my mistakes and are seeing in me only my perfect self which is pure.  I now see only my pure, perfect self.  As it shines its radiant Light into every cell of my body.  I am clean and pure, healthy and free.  Yes...I am free."

- Page 269, "The Healing Secrets of the Ages," by Catherine Ponder

"At the center of each atom in your body there is a central light around which lesser lights are constantly circling.  At the center of each one of these atoms is life and energy.  When you affirm 'LIFE' you stir up and bring into action that tremendous atomic energy in your body.  Indeed, when you affirm the word 'LIFE,' you are working with an atomic energy that is all powerful, because you are an atomic being!"

- Page 256, "The Healing Secrets of the Ages" - by Catherine Ponder

"When you are tired, run down, discouraged, that is the time to call upon the mind power of life within you...In each cell and atom of your body is life, substance and intelligence. As you speak words of "life," each cell responds.  You can charge the cells of your body with life because they are receptive and always listening.  If you dwell upon the idea of life, your body takes up this idea and acts upon it, first consciously and then subconsciously.  The idea of life will then work through the cells of your body, generating new energy."

- Page 254, "The Healing Secrets of the Ages" - by Catherine Ponder

 

Thursday, January 16, 2014

The Deception of Arrogance

"Are you arrogant?"

"Do you think you're better than other people?"

For some reason, I get those questions a lot, especially the last one, which pretty much makes me laugh.

"Better than other people?!!"

Please.

I wake up every day trying to make the world a better PLACE, if that's what they mean.

And no way do I always succeed, but dang - I sure enough do try.

That said, usually, the people who think I'm arrogant (or think that I think I'm better than others) have their own insecurities.

It's like years ago, when I was an NBC page.

Now, granted, I might have been perceived as a cocky son-of-a-gun in those days.  But I was 23-years-old, and I thought I had the world by the "you-know-whats."  And who isn't perceived as cocky when they're 23 (my heavens, especially today!).

But in general a few of my supervisors at NBC thought I was just plain-out cocky, as did a few of my peers.

That is, until one day, when a reporter from The Los Angeles Times arrived to do a story on NBC Pages.  I used to sing and dance as the "pre-warm-up guy" for the audiences of The Tonight Show (with Carson), Wheel of Fortune, etc.  And the L.A. Times reporter took note of that, and made me the center of his article.

In a few days, the article was published and, as it turned out, I was the only positive voice in the piece.  Everyone else complained about their job - but I talked about how great it was being an NBC Page.

And boy oh boy did everyone's attitude change.

My supervisors were like, "Man, Herb - that's great!"  "You're cool!"  "You're the best!"

And my favorite was:  "You've CHANGED!"

And I was really startled.

I was like, "Uh?....Dude - I haven't changed.  YOUR PERCEPTION of me has changed.  I've always been a good person."

In recent years, I've been blessed with great success in many endeavors.  And I've been proud of it.  But what some might call "boastful," I call "sharing."  Dang straight, I'm tickled to no end about all the good things that have happened to me....and my columns, blogs, books, parties, etc. is my way of sharing that joy with others...not boasting about it.

Also, I share my life and thoughts with others because I think it's just plain fun to do so, and hopefully, some people get a little inspired in the process.

But I don't have blogs and books and big ideas because I boast...or because I'm arrogant....and definitely not because I think I'm better than other people.

Whatever "cocky" days I've experienced are long behind me (even though, again, in my view, my "cockiness" was really only misperceived by the insecure)!

I think the best way to make my point is this:

Nobody loves money and nice things more than I.

But do I think that having money and nice things makes me better than other people?

No.

Do I think that because I'm a writer, an actor, a producer and kind of a cute guy that all of THAT makes me better than other people.

NO.

We all have our talents.  I can sing, dance, act, write, direct, inspire, tell a good joke, be a good listener, and on and on.

But, at the same time, I can't count and I can't play basketball...which really are only two of the COUNTLESS things that I am NOT capable of doing.

But like the rest of us, I just do the best I can with what I have and try to be happy - and then go on to share my talents with anyone who wants to embrace and share my joy.

Nothing more...nothing less.

The real bottom line is this:

I'm a lover of many great and good spiritual beliefs, from every walk of life, culture and heritage.

As long as Love or Loving-Kindness is involved with a good religion or spiritual belief, I'm there.

For example, Pastor Joel Olsteen of Lakewood Church is one of my favorites from the Christian sector.

On page 88 of one of his recent books, I Declare (a genius publication), he offers this beautiful affirmation:

"I declare that I will live as a healer.  I am sensitive to the needs of those around me.  I will lift the fallen, restore the broken, and encourage the discouraged.  I am full of compassion and kindness.  I won't just look for a miracle; I will become someone's miracle by showing God's love and mercy everywhere I go.  This is my declaration."

And THAT is about as "arrogant" as I get or strive to be!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

"Never say, Good-bye. Say, 'See ya' later."

Did you know that a part of you is part of me - and vice-versa?

It's true.

And I never realized more then as when, in 2003, my cousin Rita passed away (into Heaven).

She died very young (43).

She was "there" and then she wasn't.

I thought, "So, where'd she go?"

How does someone, who has so much life, just one day, not be "there."

You hear their voice.  They sound strong.  They look strong.  They act strong.

There's no illness...or preparation for illness or any lingering death.

Just one day, that person...that you spoke with, interacted with, kissed, touched, loved...yelled at, cried with...the day before...was now gone.

Doesn't seem to make any sense, certainly not from any logical point of view.

But one thing I know for sure:  when I think of Rita...or anyone else who I have loved and who is no longer visible in this world...when I think of them...when a thought of them comes into my mind or into my heart...to me, that's them saying "Hello!"

That's me, hearing "Hello!"

And my acknowledgement of their "Hello" is returned with my "Hello!"

It's a good way to see things...to hear things...to live.

To know that when those we love leave this world...our memories of them become everything they already were when they were alive.

And that says that life is endless...that there is no death...as long as we continue to "remember" those we love and say "Hello."

Or as my beautiful, dear Mom used to remind everyone, "Never say, 'Good-bye.  Say, 'See 'ya' later."