Gary Goldstein's Blog - Posts Tagged "ability"
What Are You "Recovering" From?
Let's face it. We are all recovering from something, because, if we weren't, that would mean we are perfect, which none of us are.
To many of us, admitting we are recovering, or "in recovery," tells the world we are weak. However, I think it is just the opposite, and it demonstrates the strength necessary to realize that sometimes we need to get ourselves a "tune up," and take stock of our situations.
I have now been clean and sober for five years, seven months and 23 days, but am still in recovery from addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling.
What's more is the fact that I realize that my recovery doesn't come with a finish line, and I will have to monitor it on a daily basis for the rest of my life.
But that is just fine with me, since it helps keep me on my toes.
Perhaps the best part is that I choose to help others who are also saddled with this disease, and, by doing so, reinforce my own dedication to remain clean and sober.
Therefore, I view it as a win-win situation.
So, what are you recovering from?
Alcohol, drugs and compulsive gambling like me, an eating disorder, too much shopping, an uncontrollable sex urge, or something totally different, like constantly being down on yourself and living with low self-esteem?
Cheer up, because I am here to reveal to you - if nobody has ever told you this before - that you were born with greatness and unlimited potential.
Yes, you read me correctly. You have the innate talents and abilities to succeed at so many different things, if you only believe this too, and give yourself a chance.
You might be great at singing, dancing, fixing automobiles, fashion, mathematics, making people laugh, photography, or, dare I say, writing!
The point is that you must surround yourself with positive, supportive people, who aren't going to bring you down to their level of pessimism.
You also must believe in yourself, and that there is nothing in life you cannot accomplish, if you work hard, stay focused, and remain dedicated to the task at hand.
Remember, you were born to leave your mark in this world, so start doing so today!
We are all waiting!
To many of us, admitting we are recovering, or "in recovery," tells the world we are weak. However, I think it is just the opposite, and it demonstrates the strength necessary to realize that sometimes we need to get ourselves a "tune up," and take stock of our situations.
I have now been clean and sober for five years, seven months and 23 days, but am still in recovery from addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling.
What's more is the fact that I realize that my recovery doesn't come with a finish line, and I will have to monitor it on a daily basis for the rest of my life.
But that is just fine with me, since it helps keep me on my toes.
Perhaps the best part is that I choose to help others who are also saddled with this disease, and, by doing so, reinforce my own dedication to remain clean and sober.
Therefore, I view it as a win-win situation.
So, what are you recovering from?
Alcohol, drugs and compulsive gambling like me, an eating disorder, too much shopping, an uncontrollable sex urge, or something totally different, like constantly being down on yourself and living with low self-esteem?
Cheer up, because I am here to reveal to you - if nobody has ever told you this before - that you were born with greatness and unlimited potential.
Yes, you read me correctly. You have the innate talents and abilities to succeed at so many different things, if you only believe this too, and give yourself a chance.
You might be great at singing, dancing, fixing automobiles, fashion, mathematics, making people laugh, photography, or, dare I say, writing!
The point is that you must surround yourself with positive, supportive people, who aren't going to bring you down to their level of pessimism.
You also must believe in yourself, and that there is nothing in life you cannot accomplish, if you work hard, stay focused, and remain dedicated to the task at hand.
Remember, you were born to leave your mark in this world, so start doing so today!
We are all waiting!
You Were Equipped With Everything At Birth!
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!
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!
Do You Have The “Write” Stuff?
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 anything else, 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 possess 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!
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 anything else, 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 possess 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!
