Pink Bat

Turning problems into solutions

Long term desire

"A peer relationship is one where the partners experience an affectionate, companionate coupledom. They are friends. They are the product of the egalitarian model; they are good life partners, but are often less sexual."
- Esther Perel

Transfixed by beauty

"Beauty is a dynamic event that occurs between you and something else. Beauty is thus an altered state of consciousness, an extraordinary moment of poetry and grace." -Imaginary Foundation

Join Jason Silva every week as he freestyles his way into the complex systems of society, technology and human existence and discusses the truth and beauty of science in a form of existential jazz.

Existential Bummer

"Man is literally split in two: he has an awareness of his own splendid uniqueness in that he sticks out of nature with a towering majesty, and yet he goes back into the ground a few feet in order blindly and dumbly to rot and disappear forever"
-Ernest Becker.

Join Jason Silva every week as he freestyles his way into the complex systems of society, technology and human existence and discusses the truth and beauty of science in a form of existential jazz.

The empty pickle jar

Sometimes, life can be very stressful. Lots to do, but not enough time. This 3-minute movie will put it all in perspective. It's all about our priorities and the choices we make. I'll guarantee...it will make you smile, make you think, and make you want to share it with everyone you know. Enjoy!

Love is a gift

Today's session is all about Love! And in an attempt to make love a
little more macho I'd like to share a quote about Love from a pretty
macho guy.

"I learned the real meaning of love. Love is absolute loyalty. People
fade, looks fade, but loyalty never fades. You can depend so much on
certain people, you can set your watch by them. And that's love, even if
it doesn't seem very exciting".

~ Sylvester Stallone

In the garden of thought

Where can you find inspiration to build your inner strength? Are you looking for a way to inspire a friend or family member or for a great gift for the young people in your life? Look no further.

Go on an imaginative journey to find your inner power in this New York Times bestseller by beloved author Dodinsky. This beautifully illustrated book is filled with bits of wisdom that will remind you how you can be happy just by being you. It's a great gift to inspire young adults!

Be Willing to say, I'm Sorry!

Be Willing to Say, "I'm Sorry"
from Love is a Verb
by Glenn Van Ekeren

 I cherish so much about our children. Through my many years of parenting, this is what I realized that I treasured the most: each relationship.

Oh, I admit it's nice when they scored points in a basketball game or gracefully performed a dance routine. I'm pleased when their report cards revealed above-average scores, or when I observed the effort put into a school project. And of course it's flattering when people comment how nice they looked or how respectful they were.

But what really tripped my trigger and renewed my parental energy—after returning from a speaking trip, or working on a free-throw shot, playing taxi driver, or setting curfew—was a loving smile, a hug, a high five, and the four cherished words: "I love you, Dad."

I became keenly aware how my actions, words, tone of voice, or nonverbals affected the loving, caring, and mutually respectful relationship we enjoyed as a family. As a father, I failed at times to uphold my end of the responsibility. There were situations when I crushed my children's spirits.

When my son was in the sixth grade, another dad and I agreed to coach a traveling basketball team. Along with our two sons, we invited ten other boys to enjoy the experience with us.

It didn't take long for me to realize that the definition of a father-coach is someone who expects his son to be everything he wasn't. I upheld high and sometimes unrealistic expectations. I even found it easy to justify my demands by attempting to motivate my son to be the best he could be. However, during one game I overstepped my parental privileges.

The game was already won. The boys fought courageously to overcome a major point deficit to hold a comfortable lead with thirty-seven seconds left in the game. Out of nowhere Matt (my son) stole the ball, dribbled the length of the court, and missed an uncontested lay-up.

I chose to release my accumulated tension from the game on my son for missing that lay-up. The shot meant nothing. We had won the game and advanced to the finals. Matt played with heart and gave his all, yet he blew that simple lay-up. I let him know in no uncertain terms how disappointed I was and how ridiculous it was for him to miss such a simple shot.

The joy of winning drained from his face. He stood motionless and speechless as Dad continued to drain the power from his self-esteem battery. I knew I'd blown it, but I continued to justify my outburst and dig myself into a deeper hole.

The next hours waiting for the championship game were long and quiet. Matt was hurting inside, and I was full of guilt. There was little question that I needed my son's forgiveness.

Sitting in our van outside the gymnasium, I slowly turned to look into Matt's fearful and discouraged face. "Matt, I was wrong," I began. "I'm sorry for blowing up at you. You worked hard in that game and I failed to recognize you for all the good things you did. Please forgive me."

It was then that Matt touched my heart, and my eyes filled with tears. "It's okay, Dad. I know you love me."

Thanks to my son, I could walk into the championship game with a clear conscience, a repaired heart, and a softer spirit.

We lost the championship game by one point, but I came out of that tournament a winner. My son had forgiven me.

The only way to heal a damaged spirit is to swallow the parental pride and say, "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Please forgive me." Failure to bring healing when you've been unfair or hurtful can breed anger for years to come.

When was the last time you told your child, "I'm sorry for anything I have ever said or done that has hurt you"?

Nick Vujicic

Honestly, along the way you might fall down...like this...so what do you do when you fall down..? .. get back up..otherwise you are not going to get anywhere.. but....there are sometimes in life.. when you fall down...you feel like you don't have the strength to get back up.. do you think you have hope.. becoz i will tell you i am down here.. face down and i have no arms and legs.... it should be impossible for me to get back up...But it is not...you see i will try one hundred times to get up.. and if i fail one hundred times.. and if i fail and i give up.. do you think i am gonna get up..NO..but if i fail and i try again. and again and... again.. i just want you to know that its not the end...it matters how you're gonna finish..are you gonna finish strong. and you will find the strength to get back up..Like this..

Angels Leap

There are times in life when we must take the Angel's Leap: Over the edge into defeat or up and out into a new beginning... in this short film, an Angel joins Alex as he stumbles through a tangled web of misguided love involving two beautiful sisters and his best friend.

Marian Shrine Roiof Collapse

Copy and paste link into browser.

http://hudsonvalley.news12.com/news/roof-collapses-at-youth-retreat-center-at-the-marian-shrine-in-stony-point-1.7099311

Lost Generation

I guess I should finally get around to putting something here. I am surprised that it has received so much attention recently.

This video was created for the AARP U@50 video contest and placed second

It is based on the Argentinian Political Advertisement "The Truth" by RECREAR

Chain of Kindness

It is said that "what goes around comes around," but rarely do we see just how far our little acts of kindness can go. Especially random acts of kindness.

This short video is one that truly does show us how far our seemingly irrelevant actions can go...

How each and every little moment in our lives can have a meaningful impact in the world, and especially in other peoples' lives.

Watch it.

Love it.

And share it so we can keep the chain going! :)

Dream Rangers

What do we really have to live for? This group of 80+ men ask that question and find their answer in this movie that inspires us all to live more fully. Please SHARE IT with the people you care about - they'll thank you for it!

Untapped Potential

What will you do with your future? This might make a difference in your day . . . and maybe . . . just maybe . . . the rest of the year!

Motivation Now

It seems to me, almost everywhere I look these days, I see people struggling with challenges they are not used to encountering, and, in some cases . . . have never faced in their life. This bothers me! This might make a difference in their day . . . and maybe . . . just maybe . . . the rest of the year!

How to believe in yourself

Jim Cathcart thought he would never make a difference. An average student from a working class family with no athletic or special skills, he expected an unremarkable existence. But one radio message in 1972 changed the direction of his life & authored his belief in his potential. Today, he's a Hall of Fame Speaker, and has authored 16 books. While changing himself, Jim also discovered how to help others believe in themselves, too.

The Richest man in town

Sometimes we find inspiration in unexpected places. Author V.J. Smith dreamed of writing a book about one of our great leaders that changed the course of history and he filled his library with biographies of presidents and statesmen. He was looking to find the key to what made their lives great.

He ended up finding the man that would answer his questions in a Wal-Mart store in South Dakota. Marty was a simple man who ran a cash register. He worked hard and was good to people. Can it be so simple?

Bobsie Story

When I watched Jack Canfield tell this story in the video below...2 things happened for me. I was deeply touched and reminded that there are a lot of remarkable people doing great things in this world. I asked myself, "Why are so many people moved by this story?" To see if it does the same for you...I'll guess you'll have to watch for yourself! 

Make a life, make a living, make a difference

If you’ve ever wanted to make a greater impact and empowering influence in your world, I hope you’ll enjoy today’s movie as a gentle reminder about the one thing that can transform any situation in literally 30 seconds or less:  compassion.
What a little third grader says to his teacher at Christmas time instantly bypasses the head and goes straight to the heart of any issue, no matter what.
You can re-energize your personal relationships and workplace culture – and inspire greater loyalty – by remembering to put into practice the message of this classic, time honored story. 
Make sure to turn on your speakers before you watch it, and according to Sam Brandt … "You should warn people to get their hankies ready before the movie!"
Walter Wood writes … "I am a 6 ft. 2in., 250-pound construction worker and this short, but profound, film actually brought tears to my eyes.  It made me realize that I must be more mindful when I’m training my apprentices."
Each time I watch it I feel inspired to make an even bigger difference by remembering to put compassion first.  I hope you will too!
Don’t forget to share it with others…They’ll thank you for it!
Together we can make a difference…

Rise and Shine

A beautiful video that inspires a positive attitude towards life

Greatness in you

Be hungry for success in order to achieve any dream or goal in life.

Think about this

One day Mara, who is the ancient Buddhist god of ignorance and evil, was travelling through the villages of India with his attendants. Along the way, he noticed a man doing a walking meditation. The man's face was lit up in wonder. Apparently, the man had just discovered something on the ground in front of him.

Mara's attendants, noticing the glow emanating from the man, asked Mara what it was the man had discovered. Mara replied, "He has discovered a piece of truth."

"But evil one!" exclaimed one of his entourage, "Doesn't this bother you when someone finds a piece of the truth?"

"No," said Mara. "I am not troubled in the least."

"But why not?"insisted his attendants. "Because..." replied Mara, chuckling...

"Right after they discover some truth, they usually make a belief out of it."

If life is a game, these are the rules

Have you ever thought..."I wish life came with an instruction manual"?

That's why the 10 Rules for Being Human are so important. They answer the fundamental question...What is the purpose of life?

So sit back and enjoy the 10 Rules for Being Human from a little book that sold over 4 million copies!

And don't forget to share this e-mail and movie with your friends, co-workers and family! They'll thank you for doing it.

 

 

The Original Motorcyle Dog