Their eyes meet from across the room. At first, a glance, then an extended stare and finally, for a brief moment, you are the only two in the entire room. It is that exact moment when you imagine an entire life together scripted in your mind and acted out in just a few seconds. It is the living dream of unconditional love and the fantasy of the dream life that keeps us energized in the pursuit of true love.

How can you not feel euphoria when you two strangers come together and find what they are both pursuing. The hard part of reality. Reality throws the curve balls that unfortunately eliminate even the great ones.

We spend most of the evening talking ourselves out of the risk. The more we drink, the more encouragement we get from our friends, the harder it seems to get. So strange this phenomenon. With divorce rates always higher than any of us want to see, it makes you wonder, what if some of these moments of unspoken bliss came to fruition.

So many questions run through our minds during these bar/club/coffee shop hours…

1. Should the guy approach the guy or can a girl make the first move?
2. What if his/her friends don’t like me? Then I don’t have a chance no matter what.
3. What line do I use? Or should I be myself? Or is being myself a line?
4. What if he/she rejects me?
5. What if the great speech in my head doesn’t come out right and I sound like a bumbling idiot?
6. What if we have nothing in common? Should I lie?
7. What if he/she is not looking to get picked up and they are just hear to spend time with friends?
8. What if he/she likes one of my friends better?

After all those questions race through your mind, is there any reason to even try?

Of course there is!!!

Life’s greatest rewards comes from the greatest risk.

You can second guess life all your want, but in the end we will continue to breathe one day at a time until our bodies decide not to. Life will move one minute at a time and we will continue to make decisions at work and home that affect every aspect of our lives. So why is the prospect of saying hello to a complete stranger so frightening? I don’t know either. Make it a homework assignment the next time you go out, to say hello to a stranger and engage in conversation. But if you see someone that makes you hair stand on end and gives you feelings you cannot control, you had better make that move otherwise you are going to live a night in regret if not longer.

Maybe if a few of us start taking this advice, more soul mates will truly find their partner.

“There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” ~Ben Williams

“The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.” ~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

“Dogs are miracles with paws.” ~Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy

“We long for an affection altogether ignorant of our faults. Heaven has accorded this to us in the uncritical canine attachment.” ~George Eliot

“I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive.” ~Gilda Radner

“I think we are drawn to dogs because they are the uninhibited creatures we might be if we weren’t certain we knew better. They fight for honor at the first challenge, make love with no moral restraint, and they do not for all their marvelous instincts appear to know about death. Being such wonderfully uncomplicated beings, they need us to do their worrying.” ~George Bird Evans, Troubles with Bird Dogs

“One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you’re feeling blue is that he doesn’t try to find out why.” ~Author Unknown

“Scratch a dog and you’ll find a permanent job.” ~Franklin P. Jones

“I talk to him when I’m lonesome like; and I’m sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that.” ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth

‘Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend.” ~Corey Ford

“If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them.” ~Phil Pastoret

“With the exception of women, there is nothing on earth so agreeable or necessary to the comfort of man as the dog.” ~Edward Jesse, Anecdote of Dogs

“My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am.” ~Author Unknown

“If you get to thinking you’re a person of some influence, try ordering somebody else’s dog around.” ~Will Rogers

“They never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation.” ~Jerome K. Jerome

“Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.” ~Roger Caras

“The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.” ~Mark Twain, letter to W.D. Howells, 2 April 1899

“Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made.” ~Roger Caras

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” ~Charles M. Schulz

Like a rock, you hit my senses with a refreshing shower of solitude in this abyss of life

An ardor of emotional frailty 

A bed of inner strength

Healing the hearts of others she puts hers on a cloud of vulnerability

A wind of change sets the path for a journey to a new sunrise, 

It is in here gentle words, he sees what has been hidden for so long

She reaches for an angel and finds she is blessed with the power to mend

Now with a glimmer of hope; a tinkle of promise she extends her hand and takes his 

Two protectors in need of spiritual awakening have found each other 

In benevolence, they will restore the human spirit in mutual harmony

“The future starts today, not tomorrow.” – Pope John Paul II

I have seen enough love pass me by to say enough is enough. What are we afraid of? As we sit back in our safety net and shield ourselves from the perils of life, the only certainty that follows is the closer we get to death.

How many friendships have been lost because someone felt the other may want more and they were afraid to confront the situation?

How many relationships failed because of the fear of falling in love?

How many passions unrealized because we guard against risk?

Life is moving forward second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour. How cliche is it to say “life is short” or “live each day as if it is your last”. For most, waited words either on ourselves or others. We don’t live each day with “purpose”. We live each day in comfort by going to work, saving our money, living within our means and hopefully retiring with enough money to live out our lives.

As a child, we are not awakened to the realities of adulthood. The greatest gift our parents can give us is allowing us to dream without limitations. We see a universe that never ends, buildings we can leap over and fantasies of heroism and romance.

We tell our children we love them each and every night before they go to bed, but not often enough to our life partner. Children will get on a bike or skateboard, fall and get up again until they master the art of the ride? How many of us change our commute to work..ever? Children want to be the greatest in the world. Adults want to live through the week so they can go fishing?

Are you seeing the issue here?

We are fragile beings who truly can see life reach a bitter end with one mistake, one error of judgement, one unfortunate twist of fate. We are the most delicate beings woven into a complex machine with one unique feature that sets us apart, the ability of rational thought. We are gifted with the minds to dream and achieve.

Nothing brings people together and forces them to re-evaluate their lives more than tragedy. It is this phenomenon that presses our invisible reset button and for a moment, just a moment puts us in a place to look at life’s path and determine if it is the right course. That moment fleets away very quickly and we slip back into the routine that we have grown to be so comfortable and safe with. It is comfort and routine that we embrace, not risk and uncertainty. How ironic, for the true dreamers, the immortal legends, the pioneers ignite their inner child to achieve the impossible by taking risk.

I can’t tell you how to lead your life or judge whether what you do is right or wrong. All I can do is this; remind you of who you are and what you are capable of. Do not sit back and let this gift of life pass you by. It is a gift, a wonderful exciting gift.

You are born with an unshaped legacy that only you can mold and sculpt and thus become an immortal soul.

We never have yesterday or tomorrow; only this moment.

There are a few artists that truly transcend time. Their contributions to their field, their impact on the fans and their message are eternal. Whitney Houston was blessed with a voice that could soothe the world, a beauty that was natural and refreshing, talents that so few of us can ever achieve and a message of love that will remain with us.

For so many, she, like Michael Jackson and Madonna, Whitney defined a generation of music and her legacy and sound have remained long after her recording career ended. She made us remember a song more than a football game, swept us off our feet in The Bodyguard and made us want to dance with somebody all night long.

On a day of remembrance, let us enjoy the music that made her a legend in our hearts.

Thank you Whitney, for the music, the films and the inspiration

Whitney Houston – A Class All Her Own Playlist

On the wave of life she rides a board of courage
A dreamer, in a world of unfulfilled dreams
A survivor, pure as the spring waters breaking against the rough terrain

A path that has bled from her heart drips out memories of a life of unrequited passion
She looks behind to see the thorns that have cut her up feeling the wounds that have never healed

Now a rebirth
A new sensation tingles and warms as her body resting in a hot spring
The soul taken from this earth, fed and nurtured and given a second chance

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, this angel of mercy is blessed with a new renaissance

Guinevere, a bird in free flight, energized by the wind, powered by the dawn of a new day

She sees a future, not chained by the past or hindered by the present

The metamorphosis is complete
The awakening has begun
She is free, protected by her delicate beauty and motivated by the tapestry of a new journey

A queen in the castle blooming with the symmetry of wisdom and allure
A new sunrise
A well needed acceptance

Here we go. So ladies, girls, women you officially have your man. Prince Charming, the love of your life, your true soul mate and as time passes you with both develop a set of routines and consistent behaviors. One morning you are both going to wake up and realize that there is no longer any mystery. The zest has fizzed out and the only logical progression is the demise of the romance and spice. This is a period of a relationship so many of us have had to deal with. You may find yourself sitting in bed one evening pondering ways to add a twist to the relationship to make it new and exciting once again.

We are here to assist. Right before your eyes are a few sure fire ways you can step up to the plate and show the love of your life you are ready to play the game and keep the fire burning for a long time to come.

1. Speak your mind and say it loud. Do not be afraid to disagree with your significant other and justify your point. A good healthy discussion builds strong character and intense will power. Go toe to toe and show him that you are as strong in your convictions as he is. Guys like a girl that agrees with him, but not all the time.

2. Show your wild side a little more frequently. I am positive the intimacy is still healthy yet take a look at your routines in bed and see if there are some patterns of repetition and look within yourself to find new things you have never tried before such as a stripper pole, tying him up, blind folds, new lingerie, a little playful sex game, toys or a wild new position. Take the initiative and make it happen.

3. Go natural. We love make up and all the effort your put into your hair and face. Sometimes though, we want to know our girl is confident enough to go out just the way she is. We can look at magazines or four star restaurants to see women with hundreds of dollars of MAC products on, but there is something sensual about a girl that can walk out the door with nothing but a smile and work it.

4. Be impulsively spontaneous. Show up one day with tickets to a bed and breakfast or lessons to go sky diving or a road trip for the evening and the bags are already packed. Doing something completely unexpected with not only keep him on his toes, but will set the plateau higher for him to top you.

5. Show your inner geek. Play some video games or be a dork and dance in a water fountain. Dorky is the new sexy. Try it and let me know if I am right.

6. Laugh until it hurts inside and out. Laughter is the key to all happiness. Finding and embracing your love of laughter is the most cherished gift in the world. Whether you are at a movie or cuddling on the couch let yourself go. You will be shocked how turned on a guy can be when a girl is laughing her little butt off.

7. Take a chance on your passions. Men love to see a woman that shows a desire to learn something new and sticks with it. It shows focus, determination and accomplishment. Men by nature have a competitive instinct so when our lady shows an interest and follows it to completion, we are very impressed.

8. Be independent and be your own woman. Independence is very sexy. If you want girl time to go to the gym, sit in a warm bath or dance with your friends, go out and have fun. In a strong healthy relationship trust is the single strongest bond. If you both have that level of trust, we love letting you go and being on your own, because in the end it is the love that brings you back into each others arms.

There you have it, the guide to keeping your man impressed and maintaining a level of vigor and punch in your relationship. Keep it sensual, seductive and playful.

Now go give your special man a hug and a long kiss.

It is official, the New York Giants have won Super Bowl XLVI. This comes as devestating news to the New England Patriots as well as Las Vegas and off shore gambling platforms who stand to lose billions of dollars over the next 12 hours. Now what do we do? The beer and wine are purchased, dips are being stirred, wings are being defrosted, corn hole and horses shoes are set up and jerseys are being ironed. The good news is that most of the commercials (Thank you Jerry Seinfeld and Matthew Broderick) have not yet been aired and we do not know the final score of the match up.

Early indication from analysts is that the commercials may very well disappoint lacking in creativity and originality but aside from Budweiser, Doritos and Go Daddy, we may see the next great commercial (aka Apple circa 1984). We hope the analysts are wrong given that there is not much other reason to watch the game. There is a possibility, the coin toss has not been decided and what type of polo shirt Peyton Manning will be wearing as well.

We look at the New York Giants premature declaration of victory (Website Mishap) and think back to some of the premature announcements of death by Twitter of Michael Jackson and Joe Paterno as well as the false deaths of Chuck Norris, Jon Bon Jovi and the great Rick Astley.

So, is this an issue that must be addressed or do we need to accept that with the instant tools of communication with social media platforms and smart phones these errors of judgement will occur because we want to be the first to break major news? We have all been inaugurated as junior newscasters to the world. As part of that duty, we must take the role of paparazzi and fight to break the news to the masses.

This is quite a cultural shift, almost to the point where it has numbed our ability to feel any longer. I recall several months back, I was at a pub enjoying some nice banter with a few friends and the television announced a surprise press conference from President Obama at midnight. A student two seats down turned to me and said “We killed Bin Laden”. I asked how he knew. He informed me that a friend of his was interning at the Capital and leaked him the information. Not entirely to my surprise, he was right, but more important was the reaction of the crowd. The bar cheered and then a full round of shots was bought for us and within 5 minutes, we were back to talking about the banter we were engaging in prior to the press conference. There was truly no time to allow the emotions to sing in and react to this monumental event. I can still recall the importance and length of my memories of some of the most life altering events in my life time. I can still remember every minute of the events before, during and after the Challenger Disaster and September 11.

When hundreds of thousands write RIP/R.I.P. on Twitter and Facebook without really knowing anything about the celebrities that pass, is it really a sign of remorse or a narcissistic attempt to be part of something? It is almost to a state of emotional void that our society has become. Have we lost the ability to feel? If we share a cause or express a comment of remorse, are we off the hook?

If you have not yet, put your money on the New York Giants while you can. History has been determined and for the second time since the 2007 season, the New York Giants have defeated the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl. Enjoy the game, the commercials and the half time show.

When events happen in our lifetime that alter the way we think and the impact on our lives, give yourself some time to let it sink in and let yourself feel. Try not to break the news BEFORE it actually happens.

In the end, life is not about reporting it; its about living it.

“I came here tonight… and I didn’t know what to expect. I’ve seen a lot of people hating me… and I didn’t know… what to feel about that, so… I guess I didn’t like you much either. During this fight… I seen a lot of changing: the way you felt about me… and the way I felt about you. In here… there were two guys… killing each other. But I guess that’s better than million. What I’m trying to say is… if I can change… and you can change… everybody can change! I just want to say one thing to my kid… who should be home sleeping. Merry Christmas, kid! I love you!” - Rocky Balboa – Rocky IV

The thought of any Rocky movie especially Rocky IV brings the immediate thought of one of the ultimate guy films. Great soundtrack, hard hitting, emotional story and a great us vs. them theme. Recently, I had an opportunity for about the fifteenth time to watch the film once again bringing back memories of watching the movie with my brother at the AMC Theaters and thinking wow, that was awesome. Twenty-six years later, it is still just awesome. But on this occasion, I really started to look deeper into the underlying theme of the film and the importance it had from a political and economic standpoint. With the Hollywood prestige Sylvester Stallone received with the writing and direction behind the original Rocky release, he was able to leverage that in a way to make bold statements while still entertaining fans around the world.

You do not have to be an analyst to see that in the midst of the Cold War, a film about a Russian boxer and American boxer was much deeper than a revenge bout in the middle of Moscow. This was a statement of peace. It may have come across as a little campy and maybe even a little over the top with a full Broadway production of “Living in America” by James Brown and a montage of Rocky’s past while he floors 100 plus miles per hour in his Ferrari, but the key theme remained intact.

Russia and the United States were the two most powerful nations in the world. With the fire power in nuclear armaments to destroy mankind, we stood on the brink for over a decade utilizing political and military strategy to avoid World War. To a lesser degree in an ABC Afterschool Special kind of way Amazing Grace and Chuck and The Day After both made very bold filming statement protesting nuclear armaments.

This was a time, before the age of instantaneous communications when statements were well structured and celebrities had tremendous influence in shaping sentiment. Stallone had already tackled the integration barrier by solidifying a life long friend cut short with Apollo Creed and now he had an opportunity to expand his influence on a global scale and did he succeed.

Making over $300 Million worldwide, it is ranked as the #1 Boxing film and #2 Sports drama film of all time according to box office figures (Box Office Actuals)

The fight could have been enough. The ultimate David vs. Goliath showdown in enemy territory surrounded by hostiles. In the end, not only did Rocky come out victorious by changed the enemy to a friend. With the Russian down, Rocky in the air and a crowd chanting his name in unison, it was the perfect ending but alas the speech. With just enough energy to muster a few last words, Rocky gave one of the greatest sports speeches short of Gary Coopers’s Lou Gehrig in Pride of the Yankees. We can all change and we can look within ourselves and find peace.

Today, Hollywood and television have taken more risks to exposure political, economic and military unrest and movements are now a part of our every day lives. Today in Moscow, hundreds of thousands are protesting in 10 degree weather to avoid the re-election of Vladamir Putin. Power in numbers is power indeed. Not to say that Rocky IV was a pioneer film that utilizes the popularity of Hollywood to bring awareness to a cause, but it was a defining piece of cinema for a generation.

If it has been a while since you have witnessed Rocky IV, take some time and watch it again with someone you love.

Do you wake up on Monday morning dreading the week ahead or do you pop out of bed with a feeling of zest and vigor? Do you have the same sense of pride about your company that you do with your dog or children? Can you walk away at the end of the work day on Friday and know you made a difference?

These are all vital questions to ask yourself when you evaluate your current company, and the role you play in its success. Your job and your company should be a direct extension of yourself and your personality.

Ask yourself this, what type of personality do you have? What type of culture do you thrive in? What type of workforce are you compatible with?

Some have a start-up mentality while others thrive in a conservative structured environment.

Here is where we stand, when we look back at our lives while we sit on the rocking chair, sipping tea and watching the grass grow, we are going to come to the realization that over 40 years of our lives were spent working. Hopefully, those will be fond memories. Do you really want to look back in regret? I think not.

Finding Workplace Happiness – The Quiz

That is easy. If you can look at yourself in the mirror and see what brings you personal happiness, then you can easily translate that into the workplace.

Let us start with a self evaluation quiz.

Get your number two pencil and a piece of paper…..

1. Do you play well with others in a teaming environment or run as a well oiled individual contributor?
2. Are you an innovator or a status quo provider?
3. Do you thrive in a small family oriented setting or a large global entity?
4. Do you like to create or be told what to do?
5. Are you passionate about your company’s mission, products and services and vision for the future?
6. Do you feel your are maximizing your strengths in your current role?
7. Do you have room to breath and grow?
8. Can you walk away each day with a feeling of fulfillment?
9. Do you feel your company is an extension of yourself?
10. Do you feel like you will look back at your time spent and smile?

Each of these questions take a critical look at yourself and your perceptions of your relationship with your company. Based on the responses you will begin to understand your feelings about your company and its impact on you emotionally. You are in a marriage or a binding contract to be with your company through “better or worse, richer or poorer.” With any marriage there will of course be compromise, but in the end, it is about personal happiness, enrichment and fulfillment.

How do I ensure I am finding happiness in the workplace?

I know this is difficult to say during a recession that will have a sustained lasting affect for a number of years to come, but one should never stay with a company that is making them feel discouraged, emotionally drained or upset. Those negative feelings carry past the workplace into the home and the social setting. Continuous flow of negative energy could have a detrimental affect on physical and mental health. None of us want that. If you are truly unhappy, actively find a home that will turn that frown upside down.

Surround yourself with people that share the same positive energy as you. That includes personality, demeanor, passion, drive, ambition and challenge. As human beings we are bread with the pursuit of making a difference in the world. Your job should be no different. You need to know that you are making a significant contribution to your own development and to the success of the company. That is vital.

Treat each day like a new adventure. Keeping it fresh, spontaneous and zesty will make any career experience worthwhile.

Be expressive. The culture of a company is built on the brand, the products and service, the infrastructure but most importantly the human capital; You!

You are the ultimate foundation of everything your company stands for. You can look at yourself in the mirror and smile. Can you look at your company in the mirror and do the same? I hope the answer is yes. It is a part of you.

Never stop learning! Work is like school, a platform of learning. As we continue to grow, we continue to learn. Each day, each week, each month should be filled with moments of learning and growing.

Be true to yourself. Don’t hide behind a paycheck or a false sense of responsibility. If you are not having all your needs met, don’t stay with company. Remember earlier, we made the metaphor that you and your company are a marriage. Would you stay in an unhealthy marriage? I hope not.

There you have it, some of the keys to workplace happiness.

Find a company that makes you feel alive and cherishes each and every moment. That will be the one that will bring you the greatest personal happiness and sense of achievement.