In Search Of Heroes Spreads Good News About Everyday, Real-Life Heroes Who Deserve Recognition For Their Good Works

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Many exceptional sales professionals say there is one key success factor that distinguishes good marketers from others. That secret technique is to have a persistent and consistent follow-up.

This may sound obvious for any business, both online or offline, but still many people are not doing this. The ability to follow up with your customers and communicate with them on a regular basis is key. But how can you know who are the people who visit your website and how can you follow up with them? There are two small pieces of information that you need to collect from your visitors: first name and e-mail address.

There are different ways how to do this. You can give something of high perceived value away, like a free report or a free sample, or you can sell something at a low entry level price.

Once you have developed your customer list, the key to being able to send follow-ups to your customers is an autoresponder program. You can buy this program or subscribe to this service online. Using this tool, you can create a series of personalized emails which can be sent to your customers automatically, after they have subscribed to your newsletter of after they have bought from you.

For example, if you sell weight loss supplements, with an autoresponder tool you can automatically send an email to your customers 30 days after they bought from you in order to remind them to order refills. You can also build trust by sending them interesting articles on how to more effectively loose weight. If they trust you, they will be more willing to do more business with you. You may also send them a personalized mail to tell them about other products that could help with their weight loss objective.

Research shows that once a customer has already bought from you, he will be more willing to buy from you again than another new customer. You will also be able to send broadcasts to your customers with an autoresponder tool. For example if you sell chocolates and Christmas is close, you might remind them that you have the best chocolates for Christmas presents by sending them a broadcast.

These techniques are proven by advanced sales and marketing professionals as ways to increase sales. If you are serious about your business and you are committed to its success, you must use the tools that will give you the best possible chance to succeed.

Posted by ralph at 12:54 PM | Permalink

"Just When We Thought Everything Was Going Great, The Electronic Monster Destroys The Peace and Wakes Everyone Up In The Middle Of The Night!" by Ralph Zuranski

Ah! Blessed rest was so wonderful for a few hours until the world turned upside down.
Mom came running into my room at 1 AM screaming, "Ralph, Ralph, there is something wrong in the dads room." Blasted awake from a dead sleep, I jumped out of bed and raced to his room. The sound of whirring, booming and pounding at extremely high decibels came from his room...sounding as if a mechanical monster was attacking my dad.

As we burst through the door, we could not believe our eyes as the hospital bed was pounding up and down, giving my dad the ride of his life.
It was almost like the poltergeist in the horror films were attacking our house. The bed was trying to chew my dad up and spit him out. How in the world was this happening?

I raced to the side the bed searching for the cause.
Immediately, I spied the culprit. Somehow his paralyzed leg had landed on top of the controls for the bed. All four buttons were being pushed by his calf all at the same time. The bed definitely did not like this chain of commands and howled in protest.

Quickly, I removed the offending leg from the controls and silence returned instantly.
If it was not so late and being half awake this event might have been humorous...but it wasn't. "What do I have to do to get some sleep around here," I wondered. After a diaper change I went back to bed, exhausted. After providing care all of Sunday, since Janet was in Dallas visiting her family, I was bone tired.

Why is it so hard to go back to sleep when you wake up suddenly in the middle of the night?
As I finally drifted off to sleep a comforting thought emerged, "Scott was on duty at 8 AM and I could get some work done. Little did I know that all my efforts would again be required the next day.

As I woke up, little rested from the night before, because of the rude interruption in my deep sleep, I dragged myself out to the kitchen to brew some much needed "joe."
Ah! The first cup of coffee of the day was always encouraging. "Ring, ring, ring...my cell phone leapt into life."
"Hello Ralph?"
"Yes, this is Ralph."
"This is Scott. I guess I never should have told your mom I rarely get sick. I have come down with a nasty summer cold. I don't want to infect your dad."
"Oh, that's just great," I thought.
"Yes, we cannot take the risk of infecting dad. Perhaps tomorrow you will be okay."

As I hung up the phone a deep depression came over me.
How in the would was I ever going to get any work done to make a living. I would have to clean up my dad, feed him breakfast, with the help of mom, and then take both of them to the doctor. My day was done, dead, kaput, still born, gone, over...all the time spent taking care of my parents. Perhaps you have already been there or experiencing this awakening now?

Life can be so difficult sometimes when you are seeking after your own plans rather than God's.
After a few moments of prayer, accepting the chain of events as His will for me for the day, I was done feeling sorry for myself. "How would I like to be paralyzed on one side or suffer from congestive heart failure?" I don't think so. It was high time to thank God for all my blessings and get down to the business of serving my parents. Afer all, who was I kidding...as if they did not change my diapers a million times and feed me every 4 hours because I was 3 months premature. I am sure I was a real pain in the hinder regions.

Trusting in God with all your heart, leaning not on your own understanding and acknowledging Him is all your ways is not that easy.
Grumbling, moaning, dragging my feet and asking, "Why me God?" I am sure is not the type of activity He blesses. Sometimes, it is hard to lay your life down for others. My selfish wants are so pervasive at times, frustration run high.

Occasionally it is time for vitamin T, to help with the pain of the death of my own desires for wealth, material possessions and freedom.
"What," you say, "you have never heard of Vitamin T?" Well, I guess everyone has their special vitamins that begin with different consonants (B for Bourbon or beer, W for wine or whiskey, V for vodka, R for rum, etc). A few shots of Vitamin T (tequila) can brighten the day or night.

But, this is a warning that alcohol can be addictive.
If you are not careful, your alcohol vitamin of choice can turn into your worst nightmare. Ask me. I know this from personal experience. After a while, if you don't watch your alcohol intake, you won't be able to face the trials and tribulations of every day with out this dangerous mood altering substance.

God said a little wine is good in times of sorrow and I fully agree.
Since I dislike wine, a little juice from the mescal plant can really mellow out the day. Of course I don't get drunk, just relaxed enough to lay on the floor and channel surf for a while...dreaming of the time when I was a kid and actually had the opportunity to go surfing everyday.

If you are in the same situation a little ingesting of adult beverages is in order.
I am sure tomorrow will be a better day! At least with prayer, gratitude and a little Vitamin K, I can face anything that comes my way. (-:

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 09:30 AM | Permalink

"Spiritual beliefs have a huge impact on our levels of physical, emotional, psychological and financial health." by Ralph Zuranski

Personal spiritual beliefs seem to be more important now than ever before!
What we believe about God and our purpose here on earth are important factors in how we deal with daily events. Our personal spiritual beliefs contribute greatly to our physical and emotional health and enjoyment of life.

Crisis, trials and tribulations affect all of our lives.
After the recent events in our family, our faith and hope have been tested beyond what we ever imagined! With my mom's pneumonia and congestive heart failure in March, my faith was stressed. In May, when my dad suffered a stroke and continues to be hospitalized because he is paralyzed on one side, my faith increased. After my harrowing trip across the desert, I wondered just how much more I could handle.

Janet's mom's fell Wednesday, severely breaking her arm and leg and is going through extensive surgery today.
Now we realize it is time to trust God totally. There is very little we can do to change any of the outcomes. Everything is in His capable hands. All we can do is pray and help out where needed.

Physical disease, injuries, financial failure and family problems teach us important lessons about God's love, mercy, forgiveness and grace.
Healing in all areas of life can signify a positive transformation of our relationship with God. Doctors and psychologists still cannot explain the beneficial impact of prayer and faith. It is simply amazing how many people are praying for my family.

Health challenges for ourselves or our loved ones can do more to improve or destroy our relationship with God than just about anything!
Our battles with pain, illness, injuries, financial difficulties and family problems are all waged on emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual levels. Our emotional roller coaster, because of what is happening to our parents, is a daily battle against depression, fear, desperation and despair.

Seeking a healthy relationship with Jesus is one of the major factors of our success in overcoming the tragedies we face.
Once we established a personal relationship with Jesus, it gave us the faith, trust and optimism necessary to have victory over all the trials and tribulations coming our way. When we could go no further on our own, we discovered the spirit of God is definitely stronger than the flesh. Through His strength anything is possible.

Our battle over the last seven years for physical, emotional and financial health and a pain-free existence has been a real challenge.
Fighting to overcome poor health, hormonal imbalances, chronic pain, severe injuries and depression was not easy. Who would have imagined a lack of faith and trust in God was robbing our strength and depleting our energy. Sometimes we felt like we were drowning in a sea of despair. I have no doubt our physical and mental health would have been only a lost memory, if not for our relationship with Jesus.

Long ago, we learned that the love of money, power, sex and self does not lead to happiness.
For many years, we turned away from our Christian upbringing. After a number of years seeking after the rewards and pleasures of the world, we discovered the truth. "There is a way that seems right to man, but the end is the way of death."

The primary message of Jesus was LOVE.
"Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. Bless those that curse you. Pray for those who despitefully use and persecute you. The only way to overcome is evil is with good."

Jesus was always talking about loving your neighbor and laying your life down for a friend.
He even tells us to feed our enemy if he is hungry and give him drink if he is thirsty. The hardest thing in the world to turn your cheek, love your neighbor as yourself, consider others more valuable than yourself, give to the poor, help the sick and visit the imprisoned.

We need to become living examples of God's mercy and compassion regardless of our faith or religious denomination.
More people like Mother Theresa and Gandhi are desperately needed in the world today. Where are the true humanitarians when we need them?

Janet and I are very thankful for the free gift of salvation.
It is not based on our works but on the personal sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It is not earned or deserved. This free gift can never be lost. Any good we do is not because we are trying to gain anything. We do good out of gratitude for what Jesus did for us.

What a sobering thought when you realize you are a sinner who deserves to pay for your sins.
We are two of the most grateful people you will ever meet. Our ability to heal and successfully deal with the current sorrows and difficulties in our lives is directly related to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Once the teachings of Christ actually begin to make sense, our lives and health were gradually transformed. Until then, the bible was meaningless, a book that was far more infuriating than enlightening.

Fortunately there is hope for the future for everyone.
No matter the size of the problems now facing you and your family, there are heroes and heroines every where, willing to help for the right reasons...out of love for others.

The saviors of humanity are young people, parents, grandparents and neighbors who demonstrate true unconditional love.
They invest their time, energy and resources to help others. They are constantly working to make the world a better place, without expecting payment or even recognition. These individuals are the role models the world needs now.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 09:09 AM | Permalink

Wow, is it ever hard to see a loved one waste away and know there is nothing you can do about it without removing their control over their own life.
Let's face the facts. After someone suffers a stroke on the right side of their brain, many things change. My dad is now a night owl where before he was an early morning person. Now he rarely has any appetite for food, perhaps once or twice a day. It is hard to get him to eat. Lack of hunger is a side effect of the drugs he is forced to take. If he stops the drugs, his chemical balance would spin out of control and he would die in a short period of time.

When you are not hungry should your family members force you to eat?
After all the things my dad has been through I refuse to remove his right to choose. That is what gives him some human dignity. As long as he has a clear mind, I believe he should have the choice of when, what and how much to eat. Even though he eats rarely and small amounts, his enjoyment of his food is greatest when he feels hungry. I will fight for his right to enjoy food when he feels like it.

Food is one of the greatest pleasures in life.
When people are experiencing their final days here on earth, don't you think it is important to let them eat the food they love? Whatever they eat won't make that much difference on their health, within reason.

Enjoy the next part of the orignial Zuranski catastrophic illness crisis below.
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"Sometimes Miracles Appear Just When You Need Them!" by Ralph Zuranski

The wisest decision we ever made was to hire an expert to work with dad!
All the tasks required for the care and upkeep of a person with a stroke can be wearing, frustrating and tedious. In the process of selling my dad's car, a young man named Scott believed my reports about the car. He bought the car immediately, even though it was not exactly what he was looking for. As it turns out, he was another of God's little miracles.

One of the top therapists for spine and stroke injured patients appeared at our door.
Scott is a master massager. He just got a job at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. That is why he needed a reliable car that would carry his massage table from Ocean Beach to La Jolla. When he told me about working with one of the greatest quadraplegic athletes, Jim Mac Laren, I was amazed. Our family hired him on the spot to help out with dad twice a day.

Scott is an amazing person, who knows just the right places to work on my dad's injured muscles.
His massages of the paralyzed left side are phenomenal. Scott knows just where to work to alleviate dad's pain from pulled muscles. He also washes him tenderly, preps dad for breakfast and does an entire mobility sequence to keep his body supple.

This is a huge aid in the morning because it allows me to start work at 6 AM and continue throughout the morning uninterrupted.
I have spent as much time as I can taking care of mom and dad. Now it is time to get back into the saddle and put in an 8 hour day working on transcribing the health heroes' interviews and creating websites for them.

I hope to have great information about alternative health each day, regarding strokes, congestive heart failure and Alzheimer's.
That is my goal but of course it is very optimistic. There are so many things that appear out of the blue that require my assistance. Tomorrow I have to take mom and dad to the doctors for another check up. This will be challenging getting both of them into the car, out of the car at the doctors and back in again.

Sometimes, humor can really help.
The simple redundant activities really challenge your peace of mind. I know it would be impossible to keep my sanity and positive attitude without prayer. It blows my mind how strong some people are on their own.

For me it is a great comfort to know that everything is in God's capable hands.
The events of the last three months are an important aspect of my training here to be a greater servant of all on this earth. I can hardly wait until my service here is finished so I can experience firsthand God's great benefits package in heaven.

So many people are seeking wealth, material possessions, pleasure, and power exclulsive of their spiritual development.
What will be their fate when they pass from this earth? I love the scripture that says, "Where your treasure is, there also will be your heart." The world would be a better place if more people wanted to serve others than themselves.

Today, Sunday was a very special day with my mom and dad.
I was the total support force today. Scott had the day off. I did all the cleaning, exercising, feeding and moving into the wheel chair and back into bed. I am thankful for the weight belt, because it really saves your back.

One of my longtime friends, Bob Sturch, a fabulous barber, was kind enough to come over to cut dad's hair.
We all sat out in the back yard in the warm, gentle sun, listening to healing classical music. There is really something special about getting your hair cut and face shaved under a clear blue sky in sunny San Diego.

Dad looks and acts so much better, you know his self-confidence still has a lot to do with how he appears.
I guess everyone wants to look good until we pass on into eternity. It is amazing how much clean clothes, a stylish hair cut and a close shave can uplift one's spirits.

It is amazing how many people in the baby boomer generation have already had to take care of one of their relatives or are in the process.
I am so impressed by everyone who bit the bullet and stepped up to the plate. There are so many HEROES amoung us who quietly (H)elp (E)nthusiastically, (R)esponsibly, (O)ptimistically, (E)xceptionally (S)ocially and/or (S)piritually. Hopefully on my site In Search Of Hereos, these people will be honored for their wonderful service to thier families and society.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 12:29 PM | Permalink

"Breathing Is One Of The Most Powerful Things You Can Do To Increase Your Energy and Improve Your Health!" by Ralph Zuranski

Just think about the things that your body needs on a daily basis or it will die.
Oxygen is definitely one of the most important foods we eat. The amount we consume is pretty massive on a daily basis. People used to tell me that having a big nose is a huge advantage because you can consume more oxygen. Well, if size matters, I am one of the greatest consumers of oxygen on the face of the planet. See my newsletter article on oxygen for more in-depth information.

Breathing is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health and maximize your disease resistance.
Your brain can only survive for about six minutes without oxygen before your cells start to die. Doesn't it make sense that oxygen is the primary food that your body needs to be healthy? If you take 18 deep breaths in the morning and evening, your health and energy could change dramatically.

Deep breathing exercises twice every day, once in the morning and again before going to sleep, provide incredible benefits.
When you exercise your lungs daily, the following simple technique is useful. You should inhale as deep as possible. Then hold your breath for a count of ten. Then, let the air out completely.

It is important to force out as much used air as possible.
Your exhalations are full of carbon dioxide. The less the carbon dioxide, the better. You can actually consume more air with each breath as your deep breathing mechanism shifts into high gear.

Many researchers believe that one of the greatest causes of disease is a lack of adequate oxygen in cells.
Many years ago, in the time of dinosaurs, the oxygen levels were considerably higher than they are now. The people, during this time, had very active lifestyles that required lots of exercise. They had to work on farms, hunt, fish, raise babies, walk to distant locations and sometimes fight their neighbors. All these activities increased the amount of oxygen that went into the bloodstream.

Experts who studied the past believe that the amount of oxygen concentration in the air was as high as 37 percent.
Current tests by scientists show that the oxygen level in cities is somewhere around 17 percent. For the body to just stay alive and not go into a coma, the minimum amount of oxygen concentration in the air needs to be about 7 percent. On polluted days, where there's a lot of ozone and other pollutants, the oxygen concentration levels can drop dangerously low.

As a defense against pollution, many people have adopted what's called "shallow breathing."
The problem with shallow breathing is that your lungs are not getting enough oxygen into your cells so that they can work correctly. Cellular functions can not work correctly if adequate amounts of oxygen are not readily available.

Some scientists believe that the lack of adequate amounts of oxygen in the cells is the foundation and the beginning of many of the diseases that plague the human body.
There is a chemical process called the "KREBS Cycle" that provides the life energy for the cells. In this process, glucose, oxygen and ATP come together in the mitochondria of the cell, the little energy factory, that produces the life force. If there is not enough oxygen, the energy production grinds to a halt.

If you are short of oxygen, the energy production of the cells does not work the way it should.
When you don't have enough energy, you cannot complete your daily tasks. When you are low on energy, start doing your breathing exercises. You will be amazed how your mind clears and energy increases.

To Be Continued....

Posted by ralph at 09:07 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Many people jump into online business enterprises and neglect real-world or offline advertising opportunities to grow their operations. A good mix of offline ads with your online campaign is good strategic planning. It helps present your message and even reinforce it for those who have already spotted your online presence. Plus you can target people who have Internet access and email capabilities by remembering to add your URL or web site address and / or your e-mail, autoresponder or ezine subscription address in all of your promotions.

To make the most of your offline advertising, here are a few tips from the pros:

1. COMPUTER RELATED – When placing print classified or display ads targeting a website, target magazines that have a computer related section for your ad, when possible. This will help attract people with Internet access and email.

2. LISTS – Purchase or rent postal mailing lists and set up regular direct mail campaigns. If you make sure the lists include email addresses, you’ll be able to cross promote via email and know they probably have Internet access, too, to help draw them to your site.

3. COMMERCIAL SPOTS – Check into commercial spots on local cable television. Pricing ranges vary, and you could get a bargain early morning spot & catch business people who are early risers. Target your campaign around shows that feature Internet use / computers, too, when you can. See about being in the same spot just before or after a regularly scheduled program to target the same readers over and over, so that they’ll commit your site to memory and click it on.

4. DECKS / MAILERS - Advertise with other businesses in card decks or direct mail packages. Check to make sure they are targeted for your audience.

5. EVENT MARKETING – Create a CD-ROM, disk or DVD about your website, products and services. And distribute them at trade shows, workshops and other special events. Note: Have your contact information and website on the cover in case the items do not function right when installed.

6. FREEBIES - Give away free pens, pencils, mouse pads, note pads, yellow stickies, etc. that carry your website on them and contact information. Put your advertising on the mouse pads and give them away at computer or internet events.

So reach out and advertise offline to compliment your online strategy. And remember to include your URL or web site address and / or your e-mail, autoresponder or ezine subscription address in all of your promotions.

Posted by ralph at 12:53 PM | Permalink

One of my dear friend's 4 month old baby died last Thursday and the funeral was today.
When a young baby passes away unexpectedly, your reality is shattered. It is easy to understand the passage of aging parents who have lived good, long lives...but a little baby?

You do not know what to say to the greiving parents and family.
There are many scriptures and words of wisdom in the Bible, but it is hard to get them out of your brain into speech when tears course down your cheeks. Only God knows the time and place of our death. It is a good thing. Many of use would never be able to handle the pressure of knowing the day and time of our death without going insane.

When sorrow is your constant companion you might as well embrace sorrow and make it your friend.
With all the tragic events occurring in our world today, it is hard to look for the silver lining in every dark cloud. Sometimes we don't know the good of something that appears bad or tragic on the surface until years later. It is at these times faith in God is the only thing that can bring peace to a trouble heart.

Next part of the original Zuranski health care crisis......
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"What are the secrets of attaining and enjoying health levels that are adequate to enjoy life to its fullest without catastrophic disease?" by Ralph Zuranski

Life can be quite challenging when you're trying to figure out what to do to improve your health.
Don't you want to escape the quality of life threatening diseases like cancer, stroke and heart attack?
Do you wonder what are the free and the least expensive things you can do to improve your health and escape serious disease? This is the topic of our HealthyDoctors Blog for the month of July.

On a priority basis we will share our secrets of the free things you can do to get optimal benefits.
Breathing, drinking water, exercising and your mental attitude are secret components of an optimal health program that provides your with a healthy existence. Air, water and exercise are free. You definitely would benefit from adequate amounts of each. When you know the facts and quantities necessary for great health, you are on your way to a wonderful life.

Alternative, holistic and natural health therapies and supplements can also increase your health levels.
Many of these are inexpensive. Not only do you look younger and feel better, you have more energy. Your mental attitude improves. You are more optimistic. It is easier to keep a positive attitude...no matter what happens.

In most cases, things happen in our lives and those of our loved ones over which we have no control.
About the only thing we can choose is our attitude...how we will respond to the different events. It is simply amazing how much better life is when you have adequate amounts of energy...look good, feel great and choose optimism.

Janet and I are firm believers in prevention.
Now that we see the consequence of catastrophic disease in our families, we don't want to go down that same trail. You probably don't either. For us Babyboomers we need to be healthy and optimistic to help take care of our parents and sometimes our kids and grandkids.

Janet's mom just fell yesterday, July 5th, and experienced two very bad breaks in her leg and arm.
She is 78 and has diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and other symptoms related to aging. She is now under heavy sedation. The doctors are very concerned about operating because of her many other health problems.

Now Janet and I are dealing with two catastrophic health events occurring in different parts of the country.
"When it rains, it pours!" is a good description of our lives. Who could has imagined this would have happened simultaneously. We are still waiting to hear how her surgery goes on Friday.

One of my favorite uncles died from complications of Alzheimer's during my trip across the desert.
We attended his funeral last Wednesday. He finally passed away after suffering for over 5 years from the devastating effects of Alzheimer's. The long term trauma on my aunt and my cousins was immense.

When you see your aging parents and relatives suffering terribly, it breaks your heart.
For years I have been sharing health secrets with our loved ones, but in most cases it is too little too late. At the age 13, I became the family pariah after studying "How to be healthy."

Few wanted to hear anything negative about their eating, drinking or exercising habits.
It took many years to learn it is better to, "Just shut up!" Only give advice when it is requested. And then keep it as simple as possible!

Janet and I will share the intimate details of our other experiences with therapies that have helped us tremendously.
Some of the topics will be: oxygen, water, nutrition, exercise, mental attitude, digestion, food allergies, parasites, elimination, balancing energy systems in the body and beneficial therapies like massage, rolfing, Shin Jin Jyutsu, hand and foot reflexology, auricular (ear) therapy, the Synchrodyne, Acuscope and Myopulse.

After many years of health research, the answer is clear.
Health is not a mystery. All you have to do is just use your common sense. When you ask the question, "What are the most important things I need to survive from a moment to moment basis?" The answer is right before your very eyes."

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 10:06 AM | Permalink

Here is the next part of the original Zuranski health crisis saga. Nothing new has occurred since the last installment.

Sometimes you feel it is always darkest before the dawn.
Last Saturday dad was released from the hospital. What great joy to have him home again! But, what a massive amount of work was required to get the house ready. We had to remove all the furniture, pull up the carpet in the hall and his room, remove all the staples in the floor and clean. We had to completely restructure the garage, dig up beds of flowers to create a path for the wheel chair. Now we are considering building ramps for the wheel chair.

I am grateful for the great values at the Goodwill, Salvation Army and Cancer Thrift Stores.
Buying towels, bed sheets, blankets, diapers, salves, cleaning materials, etc. takes a lot of time and the cost is surprising. Thank God there are tons of towels, fitted mattress covers, sheets and blankets at the thrift stores. They are in great shape, clean and priced reasonably.

Sleep for a few days was a luxury.
Listening for the slightest cry for help made sleeping difficult. When you wake up every few hours, it is amazing how tired you are in the morning. Not getting a full nights sleep really starts playing tricks with your mind. Wierd thoughts come out of no where. You begin to wonder if you are on the verge of insanity.

Thankfully, schedules and natural biological clocks have a tendency to appear in the midst of chaos.
Over this last week, a natural flow of events finally emerged. Once dad realized we could not keep up the same schedule of care as in the hospital, we all were able to develop more regular sleeping cycles. I think that in the hospital eating, physical therapy, sponge baths, etc. are done according to hospital timing. Now that dad is home, he is catching up on his sleep and reestablishing a more natural sleep and life cycle.

I used to hate paying the Medicare deduction but now I understand the value of Medicare's financial assistance in taking care of senior citizens.
When the tax burden increases and you see all the deductions you begin to wonder where all the money is going. Medicare appears to be the best investment. Until your family is in need, you have no idea how valuable Mecicare's financial assistance is. We are thankful dad also had Tricare that appears to be the best secondary insurance that pays for everything not covered by Medicare.

It would definitely be better if the Medicare money was used for therapies that made senior citizens healthier rather than for catastrophic illness.
But, it is important to realize most people really don't want to do much to stay healthy. Most will abuse their bodies until they collapse. Then the harsh reality of disease rears its ugly head...the consequences of too little exercise, too much stress, too many late nights and a poor diet.

Just about everyone does not value health until they loose it.
How many people spend their lives seeking after wealth, power and material possessions? What a nasty surprise when they lose their health. Most people who become severely ill for their remaining days realize "hindsight is 20-20." In many cases all their wealth and material possessions are forfeited because of the high cost of crisis medical care.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
How true this is, especially when you work in the alternative health field. We have seen this trajedy so many times in other families. Now that ours is affected, you realize there is not much you can really do to motivate people to improve their health. Most will spend more money on cars, houses, jewelry and vacations than on their health.

The good news is that both mom and dad are doing better.
Once your parents are on the chemical cocktails that are keeping them alive your choices are limited. Your only hope is to help them enjoy their remaining days is to work with the doctors to adjust the medications. The goal is to arrive at the most optimal chemical combinations that give them a decent quality of life and they stay alive.

With congestive heart failure, going off the medications is a death sentence.
It would be great if you could change your loved one's life styles...their food, supplements, exercise program, etc. and they would follow through. But, that is not reality...only a joke created by unjustified optimism. Everyone is so programmed to a certain way of eating, sleeping, exercising or not, and entertainment, any change is threatening and therefore undesirable.

You have to do the best you can in difficult situations.
Rome was not built in one day...nor are changes made instantaneously. It seems parents will only really change their lifestyles if it is a matter of life and death. Once you get to be over 80 perhaps, changing anything is a waste to time.

If you can enjoy life as much as possible till your dying day, is that so bad?
That is a good question. I used to be such an optimist about people's ability to change for the better. Now reality has slapped me upside the head. People can only change themselves and will do so only for good reason...with pain or pleasure as the primary motivators.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 11:26 AM | Permalink

Today is the first of January 2006 and I though your might enjoy this
part of the original part of the Zuranski saga.
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"My Car Gave Its Life That I Might Survive!" by Ralph Zuranski

"Silver Belle" gave her life that I might live.
The tow to Ocean Beach, "The Land Of OB," was uneventful but a gigantic relief. The unbearable heat, extreme anxiety and fear of not getting home were now dim memories. The trip was definitely one of the worst trials of my life, but also one of the most enlightening.

Janet rejoiced as she gave me a big hug and then covered my neck and face with tender kisses.
She had cried most of the day. Her fear I would not make it home alive was overwhelming. Her prayers had seeded the clouds of heaven causing God's mercy and blessings to rain down on my trials and tribulations...cooling the heat, calming my fears and strengthening my resolve. When I found out how many people were praying for my safe arrival, I was amazed.

A good night's sleep was a dream come true.
As incredible as the trip seemed, it was still very hard to realize this particular crisis was finally over. Sleep was a sweet conclusion to a trip from HELL. Never again would I make a long trip in such hot temperatures. Driving a car that only had a hope and prayer of surviving was insane. In retrospect, "What in the world was I thinking?"

Sunday was a wonderful day of rest, visiting my dad and trying an amazing healing technique called "Jin Shin Jyutsu," recommended by my dear friend Craig Brockie, a fellow health researcher.
Dad appeared to be in pretty bad shape when I visited him on Sunday. Janet and I started applying energy balancing techniques from the book "The Touch Of Healing" by Alice Burmeister with Tome Monte. After reading the book on my trip, it was astounding how the techniques matched the other energy balancing methods from a wide range of cultures.

The energy balancing techniques seemed to make a subtle change at the beginning...then the beneficial changes accelerated.
Each time we visited dad, we secretly placed a "Life Field Polarizer" on his chest to balance out the entire body's energy system. Then we followed the steps in the "Touch Of Healing" book with amazing results. Dad seemed more alert and his swallowing reflex began to work. His mental processes improved dramatically.

The techniques in "The Touch Of Healing" were rediscovered by health researcher Jiro Murai.
He is a descendant of a long line of Japanese medical doctors. He was very sick most of his life. At the age of 26, Doctors considered him incurable. They considered him terminally ill...not long for this world. His study of techniques to balance energy were perfected through trial and error.

Of course, we were very skeptical of the therapy called "Jin Shin Jyutsu," but were impressed with the results.
While on my trip, I tried the different balancing techniques. My body responded amazingly. Tiredness, muscle spasms and pain seemed to disappear in a few minutes of applying the simple energy balancing techniques.

When dad started improving dramatically, it blew Janet's and my mind.
What could I say except, "Jin Shin Jyutsu works! Why not try it on yourself. Your loved ones who are suffering may benefit like my dad."

The great news is that no specific spiritual beliefs are required for the energy balancing techniques to get results.
They work without sapping your life enery. You are not required to follow different spiritual belief system. You become a conduit of healing energy that is all around us. Your energy is unaffected. If your loved ones are in a similar condition as my dad, at least give it a try.

Everyone was encouraged by simple energy transferring techniques no hospital employee could question.
No one will be upset when you hold your loved one's fingers, toes and hands. The nurses and therapists will be envious of your loved one when you massage their feet, hands and ears. These are powerful energy systems that when addressed, they can make a positive difference. Most patients desperately desire the healing touch of their loved ones.

Monday, the car nightmare began all over again.
Dad's 1992 Toyota Camry had been sitting in the garage for a month. "It is time to take it out for a spin," I thought, not wanting it to fall apart from lack of use. The drive to CompUSA in Claremont, was progressing just fine on the freeway. The off ramp was handled with aplomb. But, just as I came to the stop light, the car died.

"Is this ironic or what?"
The busy intersection at Mercury and Balboa streets was to dangerous to push the car anywhere. Again I was relegated to traffic cop status...directing all the cars wanting to turn left around the stalled vehicle.

I laughed out loud...not about to let fear, depression or anger ruin my day.
For one thing, the temperature was only 70 degrees...Hurray for San Diego coolness! Secondly, people smiled as I directed them around the stalled car. The drivers actually appreciated my public concern for preventing a traffic jam or possible accident.

"Had I died and gone to heaven?"
You bet! A 40 degree temperature difference was bliss. Nothing could prevent my rejoicing. After my previous trip across the desert, this was child's play. I called 911. The police showed up in a couple of minutes. The officers kindly pushed my car across the intersection with lights blazing. The tow truck arrived a few minutes later. The car ended up at John Woods Auto Repair in Hillcrest...the shop we have been taking our cars for 20 years.

My walk down Washington Street to Pacific Coast Hwy was a real pleasure.
The bus arrived just as I did. The ride to Ocean Beach was only $2.10...a real bargain. The walk in San Diego's phenomenally cool temperatures was a pleasure. It was truly incredible how everything seemed a minor annoyance after the huge trials and tribulations of the weekend. I guess it is all a matter of perspective and comparison.

The peace that goes beyond all understanding seems greater after each major crisis.
Now, don't get me wrong. I am not volunteering for any more major trials or tribulations for at least a little while. God stretched me beyond the point of breaking. If I was left to my own devices, the trip could have been a life-ending tragedy.

My new joyful perspective was born of trials in the desert's fiery furnace.
My bulletproof joy was the result of a stronger faith in God's power to help me overcome anything that comes my way. ""I wonder what trials and tribulations God has in store for me next?"

Now that my faith was tested and strengthened it is time to share with you the secret supplements and health techniques that have proven invaluable over 40 years in my search for optimal health.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 12:05 PM | Permalink

This last week has been one for the record books.
No time has been available to even write a few lines of prose. When you are a full time care giver for your parents, even sleep is a luxury. Now I know the horrible truth about an undesirable future every baby boomer has already faced, is dealing with now or dreading.

Occasionally, weird ideas pop into your mind and you wonder how in the world it is possible such strange thoughts could ever become a part of your reality.
It is horrible to say, but at times you face a wide range of temptations that hit you like black evil anvils dropping out of the clear blue sky. The temptation to be angry at God, parents, siblings, spouses and the world in general, circles around occasionally, just like a bad penny that keeps turning up. When extreme sleep deprivation and almost unbearable stress climax at radical levels, these wild thoughts and other bizarre imaginations filter through your weakened mental and spiritual defenses.

Of course you would never give into these terrible thoughts, but it is a very strange experience to watch this weird process in your minds eye.
Often, I wonder it other baby boomers have similar thoughts. I believe it is a strategy of our spiritual enemies to try to make us guilty. The thing to remember is that the temptation is not a sin.

Prayer during these times is a powerful defense.
When these wild and weird and unthinkable thoughts enter your mind, my only defense is to cry out in the name of "Jesus" for the help that is always available, if we go to Him in prayer. Sometimes it is almost like a legion of demons and devils are hammering at your mind 24 hours a day with their sharp pitchforks of evil...poking, prodding and puncturing your sense of peace.

If only, if only, if only my parents would have taken the advice of the Health Heroes in the Alternative Medicine Hall Of Fame at HealthyDoctors.com.
I feel so inadequate lately, while dealing with all the health issues in my family. Changing diapers, moving limbs that are dead weights, cleaning up spilled food, running errands, etc. really sap your energy. I am desperate to publish the valuable health information from the Alternative Medicine Pioneers.

By the end of the day, I can hardly transcribe even one line of the interview of the greatest doctors in the alternative medicine world.
My prayer is that events here will lighten up a little so I can work on the doctor interviews. Over 20 are still on tape, desperately waiting their turn to see the light of the internet.

Please forgive me for my snails pace.
I am working as fast as a "one armed paper hanger." (-:

To Be Continued....

Posted by ralph at 08:25 PM | Permalink

Janet is on her way to Dallas to pick up our tax info for 2005 and I am taking care of mom and dad alone.
Wow! Talk about how precious time is when you are taking care of your parents alone. Feed, clean, entertain and walk the dad ( with his assist belt) is my daily adventure. The good thing is that dad sleeps most of the time. He is still tired from the surgery.

I am still astounded how someone that weighs only 108 pounds and is 5 foot 8 inches tall can keep on going.
When I look at my mom and dad I realize that staying alive has a lot to do with a person's mental attitude. They are determined to live as long as they possibly can. No matter how bad they feel or how low on energy they are, they refuse to give up. That is really inspirational to me in every aspect of life. I refuse to give up on my dreams. Some of the greatest people in history also had the same attitude.

The original Zuranski Saga continues below:
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"Wow! I Changed My First Adult Diaper And No One Cried." by Ralph Zuranski

What amazing resources we all have locked within our souls!
Who would have ever thought they would be changing the diaper of their mother or dad late at night. I know this was not a part of my thought process until my dad's recent stroke and mom's congestive heart failure.

Both of them almost died in the hospital but the caring staff and daily support by our family members pulled them through a tough battle for their very lives.
Isn't it incredible how our lives can change in the blink of an eye, the beat of a heart, the rupture of a blood clot and biochemistry gone out of balance. Health is truly a marvelous gift worth getting and maintaining at any price. When I see my beloved mom and dad suffering illnesses that bring fear to the most stalwart individual, I am thankful for all the doctors, nurses, therapists and family members that helped them stay alive.

The true unsung heroes are the health care workers who silently and with a smile, change dirty diapers, motivate difficult patients to take their medications and hand feed those who cannot feed themselves.
During both of my parents health difficulties, we met a wide range of individuals working in the hospitals who make the difference between life and death, hopefullness and hopelessness, fear and anticipation, joy and sorrow. Their kindly smiles and willing hands do the work of angels...ministering to the sick, injured and psychologically damaged. They are an inspiration to us all.

Now that we are feeding, exercising, changing diapers and providing full care for our parents, our appreciation of all those individuals who take on the task of ministering to their ill family members is great.
After waking before my dad needed me, I am astounded by the psychic link we have to our parents. When I lovingly change his diaper and help him urinate, a great humbleness takes possession of my soul. I think back to all my dirty diapers they changed 55 years ago and am very thankful I have the opportunity to return the favor.

To be continued...

Posted by ralph at 03:23 PM | Permalink

The golden years are not what my mom expected.
It has to be really frustrating for my mom. She had a wonderful life up until last year when she suffered pneumonia and congestive heart failure, all at the same time. Her life consisted of going shopping with my dad for food, going swimming every day at the mission beach plunge, taking care of her garden, watching her favorite television shows and eating the delicious for food prepared by my dad.

When my mom had her congestive heart failure and pneumonia, in March of 2004, I flew back to help my dad take care of her.
Even at that time, my dad said that he felt that he was getting weaker by the day. He said he was having a hard time taking care of her. He told me that in the near future, it might be beneficial if I could move back to San Diego with Janet and help take care of both of them.

How true that prediction actually was.
Just four months after my mom had congestive heart failure, my dad had his crippling stroke. I should have listened closer to his plea. I was too busy thinking about my own life and what I was doing rather than being attentive to what he was asking. He did not want to disrupt my life but knew he needed more help. I often wonder if I had read between the lines and moved back before he had the stroke it never would have happened. I guess hindsight is 20-20.

Life is a joy when everything is going your way, until your health is lost in a blink of the eye.
When your health is taken away from you by a catastrophic event, the joy of living seems to diminish to a great degree. That is what happened to my mom and my dad both.

After almost 15 months, my dad seems to be handling it better than my mom.
Mom loved her freedom and ability to just do the things that she wanted on a daily basis. It's tough for her to see my dad paralyzed in bed, and having to depend upon others for just about everything.

The Golden years are not what my mom expected them to be.
My dad's recent aneurysm and heart surgery really scared my mom. To keep herself occupied and her mind off the precarious situation of my dad, she organizes and reorganizes everything in the closets, constantly. She goes through her's and my dad's clothes, socks, shoes, books, etc., moving, packing, storing and sorting.

The kitchen has many things to keep her entertained.
Mom is always going through the refrigerator, moving food around and throwing away food and containers. Sometimes, I have no idea where anything is. It was there yesterday but today is a whole new story.

I know it's frustrating for her because it hard to find something that givers her life meaning.
When our parents get to the point where they have to depend upon their children for existence, their daily decision of how they will deal with the challenges of life determines their attitude.

I am often reminded of how important is to be thankful to God for everything.
It is so important to choose to be happy no matter what is going on. A lot of times, that is the only choice that you have...what your attitude is going to be. You're happy or sad depending on your choice.

Who would've ever imagined, that the choices we make in life on a daily basis so powerfully transform our experience of life.
Happiness, sadness, joy, fear and all the other emotions are our choice. Don't you think it's a good idea to choose to have a positive attitude and be thankful for what you have...especially at this time of year.

The most important part of the holidays is not shopping for and giving gifts and going into debt.
It is important to keep a positive attitude when we are trapped in a room with people who drive us up the wall. No wonder the holidays are a tough time of year for many people, especially when you throw alcohol, sugar, fat, sickness, the flu and stress into the holiday mix.

Happy Birthday Jesus!
Imagine what Jesus Christ sacrificed for us. His birth is the original reason for the season. I believe in celebrating Jesus's birth, life and death because it is through His love for us, we are set free from the consequences of our sins. He has given us eternal salvation, the greatest gift possible with out requiring anything from us other than our willingness to accept the free gift.

Next part of the original Zuranski catastrophic illness story.
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"Wow! Life Can Be So Challenging When Both Your Mom and Dad Are Suffering Catastrophic Illness!" by Ralph Zuranski

Mom had congestive heart failure so bad we had to take her to the emergency ward on Sunday.
She did so much better after they removed the excess water. She was home that day. Janet and I found out she was not taking her meds every day. That is why she almost died. Now we make sure she takes her medications. Unfortunately, when she takes her medications, she cannot sleep, because she has to go to the bathroom every hour. She is totally exhausted in the morning without a deep sleep. It is a Catch 22...no rest and staying alive. Wow! What a horrible choice between the quality of life and death. Janet and I agonize over the challenges facing us.

Dad is coming home tomorrow.
All of our Sin Jin Jyutsu is paying off. The only problem is we have to reconfigure the entire house. We had to tear out all the carpet. There are hardwood floors. I had to pull up all the staples and clean the hall and room where dad will be staying. We had to move out all the furniture before the carpet was removed.

It was an incredible amount of work removing all the furniture and carpet.
I cannot tell you how much work was involved. If your parents are in this zone...GET PREPARED! MAKE SURE THEY HAVE MEDICARE AND THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF SECONDARY INSURANCE. You will not be sorry.

I had no idea as to how much work it will be to take care of him at home.
Don't let your parents get into this situation if you can help it. It is unbelievable...the amount of stress on everyone. We spent the last two days learning how to take care of dad. It has blown my mind. Am I ready to change diapers, do physical therapy, do all the cooking and cleaning?

Am I man enough to step up to the plate to take care of mom and dad?
Would it be easier to take care of them when they were not experiencing crises at the same time? I don't know because the you know what is hitting the fan all at the same time. If only they had listened and chosen optimal health. Hindsight is 20-20. You have to accept the situation you are in.

Janet and I love my mom and dad, but what a challenge for 24 hour home health care.
Are we up to the challenge? I don't know at this time. We will keep you updated. Janet is working like a madwoman to transcribe my interview with Doctor Garry Gordon, MD, one of the most brilliant people I have ever met.

Posted by ralph at 09:22 AM | Permalink

"In times of physical, emotional and psychological stress, prayer is invaluable in helping you keep a positive attitude...no matter what." by Ralph Zuranski

Over a lifetime of making mistakes, dealing with countless failures, seeking solutions to a multitude of health problems and injuries, prayer is the one thing that never fails to bring peace and strengthen hope.
Over the years different types of prayers have proven beneficial. Below are the prayers I say each morning to help me get through the day with a sense of peace and acceptance of everything over which I have no control.

I don't remember where the prayers came from.
Feel free to take any or all of the prayers and use them to your benefit. I am confident the original authors would be thrilled if you took their words and personalized them. You can create your own special prayers to God.

Prayer For All Needs
We beg you, Lord,
to help and defend us.
Deliver the oppressed.
Pity the insignificant.
Raise the fallen.
Show yourself to the needy.
Heal the sick.
Bring back those of your people who have gone astray.
Feed the hungry.
Lift up the weak.
Take off the prisoners chains.
May every nation come to know that you alone are God, that Jesus is your child, that we are your people, the sheep that you pasture.

DAILY PRAYER
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths."

"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be."

Luke 12:22-26 "Do not worry about your life and what you will eat, or your body and what you will wear. For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. Notice the ravens: They do not sow or reap; they have neither storehouse nor barn, yet God feeds them. How much more important are you than the birds. Can any of you by worrying add a moment to your lifespan? If even the smallest things are beyond your control, why are you anxious about the rest? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat or drink and do not worry anymore."

Dear Lord:
"I thank you for this day. Thank you for my being able to see and to hear. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me."

"Forgive me this day for I have sinned. I ask now for Your forgiveness. Keep me safe from all danger and harm. Let me live this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day and give my best in all that is put before me."

"Clear my mind that I can hear from You. Broaden my mind that I can accept all things. Let me not whine and whimper over things I have no control over. Let me continue to see sin through God's eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when I sin, let me repent, and confess with my mouth my wrong doing, and receive the forgiveness of God. And when this world closes in on me, let me remember to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It's the best response when I'm pushed beyond my limits. I know that when I can't pray, You listen to my heart."

"Continue to use me to do Thy Will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others."

"I pray for those that are lost and can't find their way. I pray for those that are misjudged and misunderstood. I pray for those who refuse to share a word from You. I pray for those who don't know You intimately. I pray for those who don't pray to You or share their faith with others."

"I pray for those that don't believe. But I thank you that I believe that God changes people and God changes things."

"I pray for all my sisters, brothers, friends and business associates. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes, that they are out of debt & all their needs are met."

I pray that every person knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every Battle is in His hands for Him to fight.

Jesus said, " If you are ashamed of me," I will be ashamed of you before my Father."

"Yes, I do Love God. He is my source of existence and Savior. He keeps me functioning each and everyday. Without Him, I can do nothing. I am nothing without His grace and mercy. Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me." (Phil 4:13)

Special Prayer For the Forgiveness Of Sins
"Forgive me my sins, O Lord, forgive me my sins; the sins of my youth, the sins of my age, the sins of my soul, the sins of my body; my idle sins, my serious voluntary sins, the sins I know, the sins I have concealed so long, and which are now hidden from my memory."

"I am truly sorry for every sin, mortal and venial, for all the sins of my childhood up to the present hour.
I know my sins have wounded Thy tender Heart, O my Saviour, let me be freed from the bonds of evil through the most bitter passion of my Redeemer. O my Jesus, forget and forgive what I have been and done."

"Oh most Holy Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore You, I love You, and with a lively sorrow for my sins, I offer You this poor heart of mine. Make me be humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to Your will. Grant, dear Jesus, that I may live in you and for You. Protect me in the midst of danger; comfort me in my afflictions; give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, Your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death."

"Almighty and everlasting God, look upon Your well-beloved Son and upon the praise and satisfaction which He offers You in the name of sinners; and as they seek your mercy, be pleased to grant them forgiveness in the name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You forever and ever."

Prayer for family and friends.
"Father, I ask you to bless my friends. Minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy."

"Where there is self-doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them. Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength as they learn submission to your leading."

"Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage."

"Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friends lives."

"Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders and friends to support and encourage them. Give each of them discernment to recognize the evil forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it. I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name."

Personal Spiritual Affirmations
"I, Ralph Zuranski , am a person of integrity with a good attitude and very specific goals. I have a high energy level, am enthusiastic, and take pride in my appearance and what I do. I have a sense of humor, lots of faith, wisdom, and the vision, empathy and courage to use my talents effectively."

"I have character and am knowledgeable. My convictions are strong and I have a healthy self-image, a passion for what is right, and a solid hope for the future."

"I am fully equipped for the Divine plan for my life. God is my unfailing supply."

"Every plan my Father in heaven has not planned shall be dissolved and dissipated and His Divine Will now comes to pass."

"Only that which is true of God is true for me. As I am one with God through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, I am blessed by God's goodness. God is both the giver and the Gift."

"Divine Love now dissolves and dissipates every wrong conditioning of my mind, body and affairs. Divine Love is the most powerful force in the universe. It dissolves everything which is not truly of God. Divine Love fills my consciousness with peace, health, life, joy and anticipation of being with the Lord forever."

"My eyes are God's eyes. I see with the eyes of the Spirit. I see clearly the open way. There are no obstacles on my pathway. I see clearly the perfect plan. I am divinely sensitive to my intuitive leads and give instant obedience to Thy will."

"I cast all my burdens on Jesus Christ and I go free. I am an honest, sincere, hard-working person. I am tough but fair and sensitive. I am disciplined, motivated, and focused. I am a good listener and patient, but take decisive action. I am bold and confident, yet humble."

"I am an encourager, a restorer and a forgiving person. I am caring, unselfish and committed. I am family-oriented, open-minded and an excellent communicator."

"I am a student, a teacher and a self-starter. I am obedient, loyal, responsible and dependable. I have a servant's heart, am ambitious and a team-player. I am personable, optimistic and organized. I am resourceful. I am intelligent, competent, persistent and creative. I am health-conscious, balanced and clean. I am flexible, punctual and thrifty."

"I am an honorable person who is truly grateful for the opportunity life has given me. These are the qualities of the winner I was born to be and I fully intend to develop these marvelous qualities with which I have been entrusted."

"Tonight I'm going to sleep wonderfully well. I will dream powerful, positive dreams. I will awaken energized and refreshed, and tomorrow is going to be magnificent."

"These are the qualities of the winner I was born to be, today is the first day of the rest of my life, and it is wonderful."

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen---for faith holds the vision steady, and the adverse pictures are dissolved and dissipated and in due season we shall reap if we faint not." We are under grace, not law. The gifts of God are poured out on me. Jesus has overcome the world. Be of good cheer."

"What can I do to become a better Son of God today and be a better witness for Jesus Christ?"

"How can I be a better husband to Janet and grandpa to Lauren and Hannah and step dad to Jason and father-in-law to Stephanie?"

"How can I become healthier physically today?"

"How can I be a more loving and kind person?"

"I am healthy and my entire body, with every cell healed and strong."

"What is great about this? Or what could be good? What’s not perfect yet? What am I willing to do to make it the way I want? What am I not willing to do to make it the way I want? How can I do what is necessary to get this job done and enjoy it? I choose to do this because I see great good and much pleasure coming from it."

These prayers are my first priority each day.
The Bible talks about putting on the full armor of God...the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, the belt of truth, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. Without prayer, I am confident there would be no way Janet and I could successfully overcome the trial and tribulations in our lives.

To Be Continued.

Posted by ralph at 03:10 PM | Permalink

I am burned out today on creative writing so here is the next part of the original saga. I was happy to survive this one!!!

"How Fear and Terror Knocked on My Door Every Foot Of The Way But I Would Not Let The In!" by Ralph Zuranski

Everything was going great until Las Cruces New Mexico.
Being broiled alive at the last rest stop seemed to be the catalyst needed to stay awake. As the car approached the Border Patrol station, a tune was on my lips. The air conditioning was working perfectly. The car flew along at 75 miles per hour with no hint of complaint. The searing hot environment was shielded by my steel cocoon.

It is difficult to successfully battle the intense levels of terror and fear created when you realize something is seriously wrong with your car in 111 degree heat.
As the car slowed, the engine suddenly died 200 yards from the inspection station. My heart sank into the pit of my stomach. Fear, False Evidence Appearing Real, immediately penetrated my consciousness like a red hot knife. The terror of being crushed from behind by an out of control 16 wheeler became my momentary reality.

Unexpected events throw a monkey wrench in your activities, just when you feel on top of the world.
Has your car ever died on the freeway with cars honking and drivers YELLING obscenities? There was just enough forward motion to get the car out of the one lane of traffic onto the side pavement.

Again and again the ignition failed to ignite the spark plugs.
"What was wrong? What's wrong?" I wondered. Was the car out of gas? Was my exhaustion so great, filling the gas tank had been only a delirious dream?

Suddenly, a Border Patrol vehicle, with lights flashing, raced up to my car with the agents waving their hands wildly and shouting, "Get your car off the pavement onto the shoulder!"
"My car just died for no good reason. It won't start again," I yelled in return. The two border patrol agents jumped out of their vehicle. They ran to the rear of my car and yelled, "Put your car into neutral. We are going to push you onto the shoulder."

Total compliance was my instant response.
After the shoulder became the new home for "Silver Belle," our loving nickname for the car, I climbed out into the blazing heat. "Thanks for pushing me to a safer area," I said gratefully. "No problem," they said in unison. "We were afraid a semi was going to destroy your car. You would not imagine the wrecks we have seen and the people who have died. So many people's car die right where yours did."

Would you believe my cell phone had gone dead?
As I looked at the blank screen on my cell phone, the horrible realization hit like a ton of bricks. In my anxiety to get home to see my dad, charging the phone was overlooked the day before. It was a miracle the car died within 200 yards of the border checkpoint.

Miraculous help appears at the times you need it the most in incredible ways.
"Hey! You guys. Can I use your phone to call AARP towing by AAMCO? My cell went dead sometime last night. Like a moron, I forgot to turn it off." "Sure," they said in a friendly manner. "But, you will have to ride in the lockup. where we transport illegal aliens."

My gratitude knew no bounds.
"Thanks," I said with relief. "Anything to get out of this unbearable heat." I walked over to their truck and jumped into the back. The cell was small, hot and all metal. Their air conditioning did only a marginal job in cooling the detention area. I took a seat...grateful for the ride. "So this is what the illegal aliens have to endure," I thought to myself.

The border patrol check point was a huge facility...deliciously cool on such a raging hot day.
The agents generously pointed me to a phone to call the towing service. Their soonest estimate for help was forty minutes. This was the best they could do.

Anxiety, fear, depression and terror tried to creep into my consciousness but with not success.
By this time, I was resigned to whatever happened. I was powerless to do anything but stand around waiting. "Why don't you wait in the detention area. We can't have the public wandering around the facility." an kindly agent suggested.

As I stepped through the large door with steel bars, I suddenly realized a little of the desperation illegal aliens experienced.
"We won't lock the door," another agent laughed good-naturedly. "You can use the bathroom if you want." This last statement was huge relief. I had been drinking plenty of Alacer Emergen-C laced water and taking their Super Gram III. I desperately needed to deposit some of the excess minerals and vitamins in the appropriate receptacle.

Time seemed to slow down to a standstill.
Anxiety, fear and depression again assaulted my consciousness. My only defense was repeating my Bible verse, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your paths." Of course, I had to repeat this verse at least 10 times over and over again. Finally, the peace that goes beyond all understanding arrived...and none too soon.

A premonition to return to my car was stronger than I ever imagined.
As I escaped from detention with a big "Thanks for your help!" on my lips, the heat felt like a blast furnace. Sweat immediately streamed from every pore. Just as I arrived at the car, the tow truck arrived. The drive dumped 5 gallons of gas into the tank. Everyone thought I had forgotten to fill the tank during my journey.

With high hopes and prayer on my lips I jumped into the car and burned my bare legs against the leather seat.
"Ouch," I screamed, as I rocketed off the seat to a standing position. A towel was my immediate salvation. With the correct placement, the hot seat was not a problem. The tow truck driver suggested I try to get the car started.

My prayers streamed to the heavens.
"Please God, let my car start." Miraculously, the engine turned over and worked perfectly. I turned off the air conditioning to take the strain off the engine. "I guess it was out of gas after all," I said excitedly to the driver. "How far is the next gas station, " I asked concerned. "Just ten miles. Good Luck!" the driver said as I signed the paperwork. He ran for his truck, anxious to be out of the heat.

At this time nothing else mattered...I just wanted to make it to San Diego alive.
At the very next turn off, I stopped to fill up what I imagined was an empty tank plus the 5 gallons from the tow truck driver. As I stood watching the pump digits click by, the stopped after only 6 gallons. "Uh! Oh!," I instantly though. "It was not the gas. Something else must be wrong." I hoped and prayed that I would make it home without any more car troubles.

The drive to Tucson was hotter than a "two dollar pistol."
When the heat became unbearable, I turned on the air conditioning only to find it was dead. Roasting time was about 8 hours from Las Cruces to Tucson. I figured that long of a period in 111 degree heat was enough to cook just about any living creature. The only thing that saved me was popping Alacer's Super Gram IIIs, drinking water laced with Emergen-C.

New Vision's "Super Hydrate" also provided tremendous benefits in keeping my body hydrated.
Patrick Flanagan created this valuable product using his proprietary Microcluster® technology. This unique product lowers the surface tension and increases the alkalinity of water (or other beverages) creating wetter water — water that more closely resembles the water in the cells of your body. It helps water go into the cells at an accelerated rate. As you age, it is harder for your cells to absorb water.

As I drove into the parking lot of a Comfort Inn, right off the freeway, I whispered a prayer of thanks.
Other than no air conditioning, the car performed magnificently. "Silver Belle" had the heart and guts of a road warrior. Perhaps she would carry me all the way home. The morning would tell the story of the new day.

After charging my phone for a few minutes I called a frantic Janet.
She had been trying with no success to call me on my cell phone that was dead. Fear had ruled her day. She imagined my broken body and wrecked car sizzling in some desolate ravine. Janet had been dead opposed to my driving through the night with no sleep.

Janet was furious, distressed and angry with me all at one time, but relieved I was okay.
Telling her about the car problems and no air conditioning was not a good idea. She was furious I was putting my life at risk. All I could do was say, "Sweetheart, I am really sorry. But, I want to get home as soon as possible. I am afraid if I don't get there soon, my dad will die without me having the opportunity to say goodbye!

Little did I know but one of my favorite uncle's in San Diego had died that day.
Thankfully, Janet kept the bad news secret. My plate was already overflowing. I did not require any more unfortunate information to create greater anxiety and fear already being dealt with.

What bliss the simple things in life bring during difficult times.
A long warm shower, an air-conditioned room and a soft bed provided a break from the extreme stress of the last 24 hours. Totally exhausted, I slept like a baby. The events were so far out of my control, I decided to just trust in God and let Him sort everything out. I would just flow with whatever happened and accept it as a unique part of my life designed by God to make me a better person and better servant to others.

Before I went to sleep, I used two of my secret health weapons that helped me fight exhaustion for the last 10 days.
I applied a double dose of "Endosis." It is an adrenal strengthening cream created by Dr. Michael Borkin. This cream is one of my secret weapons for keeping my cortisol, stress hormone, levels balanced. I could not have survived with out it during the last couple of weeks. It provides the important hormone supplementation I need to keep my adrenals from freaking out when I am under extreme stress.

Active H capsules from New Vision. were also very valuable in helping my cells battle the free radicals.
This product created by Patrick Flanagan, a true genius, is one of the most powerful antioxidants available. Called "Fuel for Life", hydrogen is the most abundant element, making up the majority of all atoms.

In the human body, hydrogen is the essential factor that produces the energy that fuels every human cell.
Active H- is the result of over 30 years of research and development by Patrick Flanagan. This remarkable product contains the latest discoveries in Patrick's proprietary Microcluster® technology and is treated with active, negatively charged hydrogen ions. Active H- is the most advanced and powerful negatively charged hydrogen ion formula available anywhere!

The morning dawned with intense heat and difficulties appeared from the word go.
I had been out of touch with my blog readers for almost a week. Now that my phone was charged, I hooked up my data cable to my laptop, logged on to the internet and started blogging. After writing for over an hour, the cell phone lost the connection. All my update disappeared into the hidden internet universe, where all lost correspondence disappears into a black hole with no hope of recovery. I hoped this was not a forecast of the trials and tribulations to come.

The car's surface was already as "hot as an El Paso plate lunch" and I was dreading the final drive.
The car started immediately. "Is this a sign from God everything is going to be okay," I wondered. The temperatures were already soaring into the low 100s. I kept the driver side window down to try to remain cool. "Who was I kidding? It was like being a roasted chicken under a heat lamp being blow-dried by a 70 mile wind blast. I prayed to God to get me home while I powered down the Alacer Emergen-C and Super Gram IIIs to keep my electrolytes in balance. Heat prostration was not pleasant. I had no desire to die in a car crash after losing consciousness.

The auto accident was devastating.
As I drove along, no sooner had I left Tucson than I saw the traffic on the other side of the freeway at a standstill. A car lay in a mangled heap along side the road. The roof was crushed flat. I said a prayer for the passengers, hoping against fear I would not experience a similar fate.

Sometimes you are too smart by half.
My decision to take HWY 10 through Los Angeles, to create less stress on the car proved dead wrong. Even as I was driving 40 miles east from HWY 8, the subtle feeling of going the wrong way weighed on my unconscious.

There was just something about crossing borders that bothered "Silver Belle."
Fear and doubt suddenly pummeled me about the head and shoulders...seeking their insidious control over my emotions. The border check point between Arizona and California loomed on the horizon. "Would "Silver Belle" falter and stop? My prayer was that she would victoriously sail across the border and carry me safely home.

My worst fears became reality...again.
As "Silver Belle" slowed down while approaching the check point, she died again. I was barely able to steer her into an empty lane as the power steering ceased. Brute force was required. My foot jammed down on the brake...pressing for all I was worth, trying to stop the car before I ran over the orange cones.

What do you say when FEAR and Despair dog your footsteps?
Totally bummed out was my first emotion. But, in a matter of seconds there was a peace in knowing God was in control. My favorite prayer, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways and He will direct your path." echoed in my mind over and over again until I experienced the amazing peace the message promises.

When God is building your faith and character through trials and tribulations, it is no picnic.
It is easy to say, "God, I have had enough. I don't think I want to be quite that sanctified yet. What else could go wrong? How about something going right for a change?" But, after years of hard experience and guidance from God, I finally realized the the correct question is, "What else can go right?" If total faith and trust in God is a reality, everything that happens is an integral part of His plan. My gut feelings were contrary to my soul's aspirations.

Not wanting the agents to think I was a border breaker, I jumped out of the car and walked up to them.
When I explained my car problems, they smiled. "For some reason lots of cars stall or break down here. It has to be the heat. They just get too hot with the air conditioners running full blast." "Can I borrow your bathroom for a second," I asked. "Sure," they said kindly after I explained my dad's condition.

The agents recommended I take the small road to Brawley and El Centro 4 miles down the freeway.
After I explained my free 100 mile towing allowance on the AARP car service, the agents, in no uncertain terms, told me to take the road to Brawley. "If you make it to El Centro, you are within 100 miles of San Diego. You are home free!"

After a quick visit to the men's room, it was time to see just how far "Silver Belle's" heart and soul would carry me.
What an incredible champ of a car. She started up immediately and we were on the road again. When the turn off to Brawley appeared in 4 miles, just like the agents promised, I was afraid "Silver Belle" would stall. My least desire was to be stranded in the blazing hot sun, a few miles from the border. So, I did not take their advice and forged ahead, hoping against all odds that I would make it home today.

It was the middle of the day and the blistering sun's rays were beating down full force on the driver side.
Desperation forced me to wrack my brain to discover solutions that would give my body some relief. I decided to shut down the 111 degree blow dryer by closing the driver side window.

Then miracle of miracles, I opened the passenger side and the temperature changed. Believe it or not, this simple action actually cooled the temperature inside the car dramatically.

111 outside caused concern because I had no idea on how hot it was inside.
Sweat streamed down my face and body. I chugged the water with Emergen-C and popped the Super Gram IIIs every half hour. There was no way I was going to pass out and kill myself or someone else.

After about two hours, gas was running low and I dreaded slowing down.
Chiraco Summit appeared on the horizon, almost like a mirage. As I slowed going up the off ramp, "Silver Belle's" engine died. It was back to brute force steering. A huge semi truck barely missed my front end as I went through the stop sign, hoping to coast into the station.

Desperation, exhaustion, fear, terror and other unwanted emotions fought for my attention.
It was so hot outside, my hand almost sizzled against the paint. My trip into the station resulted in 4 big bottles of water. My mind was made up. El Centro was my destination...even though backtracking 40 miles was my fate. If only my decision would have been to take HWY 8 straight across the desert to El Centro. My destination would have been attained over an hour ago.

Only 200 miles to go to salvation.
"El Centro, here I come!" I said with a scream of defiance. What ever God had in store for me I could handle with His grace. At 55 miles an hour, it took a lot longer than I imagined to arrive in El Centro. Along the way, I had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the azure blue Salton Sea, the delightful smells of fresh cut crops and a slowing of my pace.

Perhaps, all of these events were designed to get my attention and teach me there was really nothing to be gained by worrying and doing everything at high speed.
As cars roared past with their air conditioners humming, windows closed and radios blaring, going slower was not so bad after all. Look at how much pleasure...the sights, sounds and smells they are missing along the way. Was the frenetic pace really worth the risks of early death and life threatening diseases.

Suddenly, the realization that stress was the true killer of hearts, minds and bodies popped into my brain.
The faster I wanted to go, the more God slowed me down. The greater my efforts to attain my goals, the farther away they seemed. Was this my problem? Was I trying to power my way through life, busting down all the obstacles with sheer physical force and determination of will?

What a defining moment in my life this trip through the desert inferno was!
My dad's stroke, mom's pneumonia and congestive heart failure, my financial problems and marital difficulties were all messages from God to slow down and smell the roses. Anxiety, stress, fear and terror lead to unrelenting depression, hopelessness and eventually bitterness.

Was I willing to see God's hand in the failures of my life?
Could I accept the events now transforming my life forever? Was I willing to choose an attitude of total surrender to God's plan for my life? Was I really ready to let God take over my life? Did I want to know what is possible when you align yourself with what God is already doing in the world and the lives of those around you?

The dying engine, reversed directions and total uncertainty were God's simple request, "Trust in Me!"
Now I knew the awful truth. Even though I thought I was seeking after God, it was not totally true.

Life always has it's forwards and backwards, ups and downs.
Finally, I was ready to take His advice. Being beaten to a bloody pulp by your own efforts and thought processes was not God's loving plan. He sent his son Jesus to take the beating and go through the suffering for us.

Gratefulness and an inner peace calmed my heart and spread through my mind, even in the boiling hot temperatures.
Heat suddenly stopped being a factor. The sweat stopped and a cool breeze came out of no where. El Centro was only 10 miles away. I rejoiced at my new found freedom. Victory over fear, terror, anxiety and depression was mine!

Oh no! Ten stop lights in a row suddenly became the next hurdle.
Even though "Silver Belle" stalled at each stoplight, directing traffic with a smile around my obstacle became a joy. The heat did not seem to affect me. After 5 minutes, "Silver Belle" reliably started up and carried me one small step at at time closer to my home.

When I reached HWY 8 and saw the sign 100 miles to San Diego, my joy was unrestrained.
My goal for towing was reached. I could pull over now and call it a day. Or, I could take the challenge to see just how far God could take "Silver Belle" and me.

The impossibly steep Banner Grade, the road up the backside of the mountains that led to Jacumba, Julian and Alpine, loomed before me.
Could we possibly make it up this last huge obstacle? "Silver Belle," the magnificent Queen of the Road with the unfaltering Heart of a Road Warrior" took the obstacle at a run. 75 miles per hour, then 70, 60, 50 as the incline increased. I could not believe she was going to make it over the top.

Just as we sailed over the summit at 40 miles per hour the engine died.
I was not afraid. We coasted down the first off ramp. Miraculously, two gas stations populated a lonely outcrop of rock. "Silver Belle" had just enough power to make it to the gas station on the left. She deserved to rest, after her incredible journey. 12 years old was a long time in any car's life. What a great triumph for a car built in 1992.

With great joy and reverence I turned off the key one last time and locked the door on a dear friend that had taken me farther than I ever imagined she and I could go.
Even to her last moment, "Silver Belle" knew even if I didn't that there was no phone service in these desolate mountains. With he last dying breath, she had delivered me to a place of safety.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 08:00 PM | Permalink

When women have to live in the same house, the sparks will fly.
Living in my parents' home is difficult for eveyone involved. My mom and wife seem to have major differences of opinion that are fueled by emotion and the desire for dominance.

My dad and I are just happy to have a place to sleep and eat.
We are astounded and awestruck by the emotions the women in our lives experience. I guess there are advantages to being too emotional as well as being emotionless. It is hard to find the correct balance.

Each day brings its own challenges for everyone.
Sometimes, in a crowded environment, it is easy for everyone to get on everyone elses nerves. The best advice I know of is, "Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice." Proverbs 13:10

I think the hardest thing to do is to take advice or constructive criticism from others.
When emotions get involved, any advice is offensive. I have learned my lesson to not give my own advice, even if it is asked for.

Sharing the wisdom and advice in the bible is worth its weight in gold.
Everyone I share God's knowledge with can always blame Him for any outcome that is not what they wanted. It is easier to shift blame to an eternal being than accept it yourself.

Giving advice is more often than not a curse.
Often giving advice is "damned if you do and damned is you don't." My favorite statements to escape giving advice are "Wow. Really! Okay! Tell me more. That is really something."

More often than not, everyone just wants you to listen and not say anything anyway.
They usually find their own answer and you are not to blame is it does not work out. "Silence is golden!"

Oh well, after reading the next few chapters of the original Zuranski saga, you will understand that I am happy just to be alive.
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"How the Next Four Days Changed My Life Forever!" by Ralph Zuranski

The cars careened around my car as people shouted at the top of their lungs.
Yikes! What should I to do. There was no warning on anything wrong. I thought there was enough gas.

With hope and a prayer, I cranked the car motor over and over and over again, desperate to get it running.
Nothing happened. Other drivers got more angry and hostile. The high heat and humidity was taking its toll on everyone, especially me. The heat was unbearable in the car. The air conditioning definitely needed charging before I left for San Diego. It seems the Freon had leaked out while the car was sitting for a month when we were in San Diego.

With one last prayer, I turned the key in the ignition.
Suddenly, the engine turned over and started. "Hallelujah! Thank the Lord!," I yelled. Quickly, I drove the car to the gas station on the corner and filled the gas tank. I assumed the car ran out of gas. I was relieved it was something so simple. Little did I know this was only a premonition of the car trials and tribulations yet to come.

After an hour drive to the Rockwall Verizon store, no problems appeared, providing a false sense of peace.
Stopping in the middle of traffic was only a fluke, or at least I hoped so. It took about an hour to return to the apartment. I arrived just in time to meet Jason and his two beautiful daughters, Hannah and Lauren. They were thrilled to get a months supply of food for free. Also, Jason asked if he could use some of the furniture until we returned to Dallas. No problem.

For all of you other grandparents out there, you can relate to heart-ripping choice between helping your parents and staying with the grandkids.
In a fictitious world, the entire family would be living within a short distance. But, in the mobile world of today, family members are scattered across the planet.

The hard choice between living near aged parents and young children is one of the most difficult.
Young children, especially at the ages 5 and 7 are so precious. They will be alive long after we pass from this earth.

Kids are so encouraging, giving, loving and entertaining.
They add tremendous joy to everyday life, especially if they are your grandkids. You can have fun with them until you get tired or bored. You never know what will pop out of their sweet little mouths.

Just attending their sporting and cheerleading events is a thrill as the struggle to assert their own personalities.
They love and adore their grandparents so much. Kids are a chief source of good-feeling fixes every day. They make you feel more special than just about anyone on the planet. Plus, you have the money and time to enjoy their company. You can bribe them with goodies and money to conform to your wishes. A few quarters at this age go a long way. Ah! The joy of using the carrot discipline technique rather than the stick most of the time.

Besides, isn't it fun to spoil them rotten?
How enjoyable is it to have fun with the grandkids all day and then return them to the parents. It is sort of payback for all the problems your children put you through while they were growing up.

Tears streamed down my face as I turned my head away.
While I was struggling with packing and stuffing food into plastic shopping bags, Hannah and Lauren each came up to me for a farewell hug. We did not know when we would see each other again.

Finally, all the plastic containers were filled and with pure horror I realized another thirty were needed.
How in the world had we accumulated so much stuff. I guess living 100 yards from the Garland Goodwill Store is a curse and a blessing.

The Goodwill Store provided numerous signs of God's blessing in my life.
Our finances were very limited for a long time after we moved to Dallas. It is extremely hard to start all over when you move to a new city. Five years previously, when we moved from San Diego, to help out the Jason and Stephanie and the grandkids, life was tough. All my computer consulting clients were 1500 miles away in Coronado, CA.

The Goodwill Store was a place of refuge and blessings while being trapped in HELL.
Oppressive, blistering heat plagued Dallas the first summer. With 90 straight days of over 100 degree temperatures, high humidity and no rain, the thought crossed my mind often that I had moved from "San Diego paradise to Dallas HELL!" When our financial, emotional and physical resources were stressed to the breaking point, the Goodwill Store beckoned like a beacon of hope.

Few people could believe the phenomenal deals I found at the Goodwill Store.
The numerous opportunities to buy things I wanted for pennies on the dollar was a real blessing. God provided for our needs and some of our wants in a miraculous way. Now, all those blessings seemed like a million little curses. They were just useless items that needed to be moved into storage when I desperately wanted to drive to San Diego to see my dad.

Janet was going to be furious with me.
Trying to label containers and pack Janet's precious items soon lost its appeal. The heat and humidity turned me into a raging beast of a mover who only wanted to "GET DONE!" My only goal now was to jam as much stuff as possible into each container. I would deal with Janet's wrath later when we unpacked the plastic crates.

The race to finish before the Corey and Lamont showed up at 10:30 was being lost one second at a time.
More plastic storage containers were needed. A quick trip to Home Depot ended with another 15 containers...all that I could fit into the car.

Like a madman, I threw stuff into containers, headless of the crunching and cracking sounds.
Wow! It almost felt good breaking the stuff. Then I could just make a hundred foot trip to the dumpster. But, thoughts of Janet weighed heavily on my mind. I only hoped a few of her precious things would survive unbroken.

The difficulty of finding a moving truck to rent at the last moment was extreme.
Finally I located one at Budget Truck Rentals. Time was wasting and the movers would arrive in less than an hour. The race to rent the truck and get back to the apartment was on.

The truck was bigger than I expected.
Only one truck was available...a 15 footer. I had hoped for a smaller one at a cheaper price. There were zero options so I filled out the paperwork. I had to call my car insurance to make sure they covered the truck. It is a good idea to do this in advance before you move.

Thank God for big muscles.
Corey and Lamont were waiting when I pulled up. They were large men, capable of loading an elephant if necessary. Quickly they started loading the packed storage containers. Soon, I was standing in the midst of possessions strewn around the room while they were waiting, waiting, waiting for me to get the new containers loaded.

Another miracle occurred when Corey volunteered his girlfriend to come down and load containers.
She just happened to be off today. With her help, everything was loaded and packed in the truck except for the large sofa, kitchen table, huge cherry wood dresser and queen-sized bed.

I had no idea where the items were packed that I needed to take with me to San Diego.
I would solve that problem later. The priority one was to get the stuff to storage and return the truck before 5 PM. It was now 3 PM and ticking.

Another miracle happened regarding the furniture.
Corey offered to buy the dresser, sofa, table and chairs. He was borrowing his mom's furniture. She was picking all of it up that weekend. Corey desperately needed my big pieces, but did not have any money. He needed the $100 moving fee to pay his rent.

Was it time to trust God, that He wanted Corey to have my furniture?
At this point, I did not really care about the furniture. My heart was in San Diego with Janet, my mom and dad. I wrote out a sales agreement with him paying me a minimum of $50 a month until the furniture was paid in full. Since Corey had appeared miraculously on my doorstep to help move, a sense of peace came over me as I realized this was a part of God's plan. I also gave him some book shelves he wanted and other items that would be of value.

With great joy, Corey and Lamont moved the all the big items upstairs, except for the bed.
Finally, most of the items were packed. We jumped into the truck and raced 100 yards to the storage. I was anxious about getting the truck back by 5 PM. As we pulled up to the storage, we jumped out and opened the steel rolling door. The interior was filled with fine Dallas dust. Also, it would be extremely difficult to offload the possessions, since the unit was in the middle of a row where the truck would not fit.

Another miracle took place.
The storage manager gave us a 10 X 15 unit right on the main feeder street, a few feet away from our current location. In a matter of 40 minutes, the possessions found a new home in a storage unit that was now too big. Without the sofa, dresser, table and chairs, a third of the space was unused. I needed a smaller space that would save about $30 a month in rent.

Corey and Lamont were relieved to be finished.
The boiling hot sun, over 100 degree temperature and high humidity had taken its toll. We were all exhausted, soaked to the skin and dehydrated. Gratefully, I paid Lamont and Corey the $100 each we had agreed upon. They were thrilled to be finished and drove off in Lamont's Chevy Suburban.

God inspired me to bless Corey and Lamont beyond their expectations.
While making a trip to Home Depot for more storage containers and Wendy's for lunch for everyone in Lamont's Chevy Suburban, I noticed the fuel tank was on empty. God had put it on my heart to provide a little extra reward. I filled his Suburban up.

$50 seemed like the right amount.
Amazingly, that was the exact amount needed to fill the tank to overflowing. This was God's way of blessing others who were doing His will. Lamont was very active in youth sports and transported lots of kids who had no other way of getting to practice and games. The extra gas would bless many of the young people he ministered to.

Now, the dreaded cleaning of 5 years of accumulated filth was about to begin.
With a six pack of Beck's dark beer to deaden the pain, the bathroom was the first challenge. How could so much dirt and grit pile up in such a short time. The dust was epidemic...everywhere it was piled high.

As the hours skittered by, the horrible realization hit me like a ton of bricks.
There was no way the apartment could be cleaned in the time available. I desperately needed some sleep. The next day would require a massive second move of the by now hated possessions into a 10 X 10 storage unit. Also, I would have to go through every container searching for items that needed to go to San Diego.

Another miracle manifested itself out of thin air.
Jason showed up to pick up a book case he ask for. When he realized the immensity of the cleaning job, he immediately volunteered. He called his friend Karen who cleaned apartments for a living. She agreed to come help, even though it was 9 PM.

In short order the cleaning was accomplished when a few hours before it seemed impossible.
Karen asked for $20-$25 for her services. I was so grateful, she received $30. Jason was happy to get many more items sitting around the apartment.

After 5 hours sleep, it was time to tackle the behemoth moving job...again!!!
The storage manager just happened to have an empty 10 X 10 only ten feet from the 10 X 15. What an answer to prayer! It was still cool enough and the sun was not shining on the face of the units.

With every ounce of strength the second move began.
My back felt strong. This also was a miracle. After being crushed by defective elevator doors less than a year before, my back had been killing me. Chiropractic and rolfing helped a lot but did not provide permanent relief.

Dr. Linda Martin, DO, in Conroe Texas, had encouraged me to try Neurocranial Restructuring at Willis Healthcare.
Dr. Martin had been a friend for over 24 years. She was one of the first doctors to buy and be trained by me to use the Electro-Acuscope and Myopulse on her pain patients. She was always thinking of her patient's first...always seeking any treatment that would help them.

When Dr. Martin hired me to create her website, she suggested I experience all of her new therapies first.
Dr. Martin knew I had been suffering from chronic back pain for many years, even before the elevator accident. She, along with Dr. Trowbridge, DO in Houston, had been plagued by crippling back pain for a long time. Dr. Trowbridge had even had surgery with no relief. He was looking at another surgery with fear and dread, knowing paralysis could result if the procedure was not successful.

Dr. Martin told me that Neurocranial Restructuring kept her and Dr. Trowbridge pain free and that it could be the answer I was looking for.
"What is Neurocranial Restructuring," I asked. This was a new therapy developed by Dr. Dean Howell, an ND, who had perfected the technique. It involves using muscle testing to determine imbalances in the alignment of the bones in the skull, back and pelvis. Once the tests are completed a trained doctor knows exactly where the source of the problem resides.

When Doctor Linda Martin told me she was going to inflate small balloons in my sinuses, my first reaction was "NO WAY!"
The first time I traveled to Dr. Martin's clinic in Conroe to take photos, shoot video and interview her, I was impressed with her testimony about how NeuroCranial Restructuring (NCR) had helped her and Dr. Trowbridge. But, I was a little leery of anyone messing with my face.

My nose was broken at least 6 times along with some crushing major blows to my head and face.
Car wrecks, surfing accidents, flying objects had all impacted my face and head. With a big nose, it was inevitable it was the first to suffer damage from incoming missile, blows to the head, etc. My nose had permanently twisted to the left. I was afraid to have anyone touch it.

Later, after returning home, Janet and I and watched the Neurocranial Restructuring video with a lot of skepticism.
Doctor Howell's explanation made sense to both of us. Blows to the head cause the movable bones in the skull to get stuck together. The dura (the plastic like material that lines the skull and is attached to the ligaments and tendons in the spinal column), cannot move freely when there are adhesions and restrictions in the bones of the face and skull.

The theory that blows to the head affect the rest of the body mad absolute sense.
My entire face had suffered damage when it slammed into the hard beach during a terrible wipe out. I had been surfing Huntington Beach in LA, an unfamiliar beach break on a big stormy day. While I was riding a huge wave, locked into the tube, I did not realize it was ready to break onto the shore.

My girlfriend and best friend Duke were waving their arms and screaming, "Kick out.! Kick out! It's the beach break!"
There was no hope for me. Even though I tried to kick my board through the wave face, it was just too big and powerful. My face and body slammed into the sand with a force so powerful, few can understand unless they have wiped out on a big wave.

When the water rolled back down the beach, my limp body dragged to a stop.
I was stunned by the force of the impact. As I rolled over and gingerly touched my face, I was frightened. My entire face seemed like putty. Blood, water and green snot poured from my nose. When I looked into a mirror, my face looked lopsided. The left side was pushed in. My left ear was higher than my right.

What a massive headache!
I did not feel better until weeks later. Man was I ever embarrassed for wiping out in front of my friends. This seemed to be the beginning of chronic back problems for the next 23 years.

Janet and I decided to try NCR.
Dr. Martin was kind enough to treat us during a weekend, doing one treatment Friday night, two on Saturday and one on Sunday. Let me tell you, it was a very weird feeling having her insert and expand a small balloon in my left sinus. There are three sinus cavities on each side of the nose. After the tests, all four treatments were on my left sinuses.

Janet and I could not believe our senses after the first NCR treatment.
Her sinuses opened and she could breath much better. I noticed an immediate release of the tightness in my lower back. The pain disappeared. My body's posture changed dramatically. It felt like a new body. Even my nose began to straighten.

Amazingly, all four treatments were directed to my left sinuses, where the major blows had scrunched my face.
After the final treatment on Sunday, my nose was 75% straightened and my back felt strong again. It was a miracle. After so many years of a weak, painful back, I was overjoyed. There is nothing that makes you feel more wimpy than a bad back.

With the help of a large dolly and the confidence of a strong back and optimal nutrition, the moving only took only 6 hours.
I had to open each container and search for the things that needed to go to San Diego. This slowed the process to a snail's pace. The close to 100 degree temperature with the high humidity, left me soaked in sweat and bone tired.

Thankfully, I knew the benefits of super nutrition when extreme physical and emotional demands required the best I had to offer.
I drank extra doses of New Vision's liquid vitamins with Mangosteen and their liquid minerals. My favorite combination of New Vision Organic Greens and Super Food provided the fuel necessary to complete this massive job in a short period of time. I also popped 2 grams of A lacer's Super Gram IIIs every hour and drank lots of water laced with their powdered Emergen-C with MSM.

There was just enough time to get the air conditioning charged, oil changed and fluids topped off in the car.
I hoped and prayed the car would make the final trip. It was loaded to the roof top with research books, exercise devices, optimal nutrients, etc. I knew driving a 12 year old car across the desert in 111 degree heat was a long shot. If only I could make it alive.

The final preparations were underway to make my escape from Dallas that evening.
Jason came back to the apartment to help with the final load and pick up the bed. When he saw how much still remained, his draw dropped. He said, "You have got to be kidding."

There was a definite problem of too much junk.
We jammed the SUV to the hilt with as much stuff as possible. Then we drove to the storage unit. When we opened the door, everyone was stunned. You could not fit one more thing unless something was removed. So we offloaded everything in the alley. Then we loaded the bed on top of the SUV and tied it down with surgical tubing from the oxygen concentrators.

I was totally bummed the two oxygen concentrators and the HealthRider would not fit in the car.
Neither my dad or anyone else would be able to reap the huge rewards of exercising with oxygen. This perhaps the second most powerful therapy behind Neurocranial Restructuring. After working out with oxygen for over two weeks, my biological age felt like it had been reset at 30 years old.

As fate would have it, the amount we removed from storage provided exactly the space we needed to store the last load.
With hugs all around and a nice thank you card from Jason, we parted. I raced back home, packed the final items and hit the road at 12 midnight with no sleep.

Everything worked perfectly until the following morning and then the *%?*@$* hit the fan?
The air conditioning worked great. Every few hours, when I could not keep my eyes open one second longer, I pulled into a gas station and slept for a short time. The car was so jammed with storage containers, sitting straight up was the only option.

After 9 hours I was making great time when tragedy struck.
A strange noise started coming from the front of the car. I pulled over and saw my front left tire was going flat. Miraculously, a small town exit was only 100 feet away. In a matter of minutes I found a tire store. They quickly elevated the front end and asked, "Where is the special key that unlocks the mag locks." "What!," I said. "What wheel locks are you talking about?" They told me Lincolns had special wheel locks and the key was usually attached to the spare tire.

Was I ever tired after unpacking the entire trunk to get at the spare tire.
Guess what? Of course, some mechanic along the way had failed to replace the key. My options were only one...a rubber plug that might hold the entire trip. I was concerned but lifted it up to the Lord. After telling the mechanics about my mom and dad and sharing my faith in God, I was on my way with a wing and prayer. I was hoping my guardian angel was back from his coffee break. I wonder if they have Starbucks in heaven?

Heat prostration almost claimed my life.
About noon, the eyes were fluttering shut. Sleep was clawing at my consciousness. I pulled over into a gas station parking lot. The temperature was nearing 95. As I closed my eyes a wave of relief flooded over me. Two minutes later I sensed extreme heat and water pouring down my face.

The temperature in the car had to be approaching 120 degrees.
Immediately, I started the car and put the air conditioner at max power. In a matter of minutes, my body temperature started to drop. I was dehydrated and slugged down water mixed with Emergen-C. The electrolytes soon revived me and I was on my way...thankful I had come back to life before going into shock.

Time for another unexpected crisis.

To Be Continued....

Posted by ralph at 10:54 PM | Permalink

Happiness is something many people take for granted!
Who would imagine sleeping in your own bed, wrapped in your electric blanket is one of the greatest joys of life. When my dad got home, it was his greatest wish to go directly to bed for some blessed rest that is rare at the hospital.

My dad still complains about the vampires always coming by to take some blood.
My dad labeled them vultures instead of vampires. I informed him the vultures come by looking for dead or almost dead patients so they can feast. The vampires can only get blood from the live ones. He laughed when he realized the distinction.

Life does not get any better if you focus on the small things.
When your take in to consideration a remote control, unlimited TV channels, good food and being in the bosom of your family, you realize it is the simple things in life that bring the greatest joy. Money, material posessions, cars, expensive jewelry, fine clothes and the other cares of the world are not very important when you have lost your health. So many people spend their lives accumulating wealth and material possessions but lose their health. Unfortunately, no amount of wealth or material posessions can buy lost health. Good health is one of life's greatest blessings.

The next part of the origninal Zuranski health crisis saga is below:
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"Thousands Have This Priceless Gift---But Never Discover It!" by Ralph Zuranski

The gift that few people ever discover is a trusting FAITH in the goodness of God.
Sometimes, it is very hard to believe God is kind, loving and compassionate. Does He really have a good reason for everything that happens in our lives and those around us?

Perhaps that is why catastrophic events occur in everyone's lives.
God is trying to get our attention. He wants us to realize we are not in control of events. He is!

After reading my last update on June 23 are you wondering how the move went?
Do you hate moving as much as I do? Probably it is something you dread with a passion. The two biggest curses I know are owning a truck and having muscles. Everyone wants your help when they have to move. What a pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thankfully, I don't own a truck...only muscles.

Miracles do happen in the most unsuspecting moments.
Right after I discovered the air conditioning was broken, I went outside onto the balcony to try to cool down. Where in the world was I going to find someone to help me move an entire household the next day?

To my amazement, an angel arrived in the form or my upstairs neighbor.
A young black man named Corey was standing in front of my door. He asked, "Is everything okay? I noticed your blue car has been gone for a long time. I got the feeling something was wrong."

My jaw dropped down to my knees when I found out what he did for a living.

After I quickly told the story of my mom's pneumonia and congestive heart failure and my dad's recent stroke, Corey informed me he and his brother Lamont moved furniture for a living. "We are off on Wednesday and would be happy to help you move."

Wow! Does God work fast or what?
After I recovered from my astonishment at this amazing little bit of divine intervention, it was back to the roasting pit. My organizing skills soon collapsed after trying to bring order to the chaos in my wife's dresser drawers.

"Why in the world would she save empty bottles of hair spray, makeup, deoderant, panty hose of all descriptions, endless changes of clothes, etc?
I just did not get it. At this point I was ready to throw all her possessions into trash bags and head to the dumpster. Would my guilty pleasure be worth her wrath? In a nanosecond I realized the truth...no way was I going to risk the fury of the queen.

"Was my male perspective on life and material possessions so depraved I did not know what was important in life?"
After about 4 hours, nothing mattered any more. Exhaustion was my companion...my bosum buddy. He embraced my tired body and whispered to my plumb tuckered out brain..."Go to sleep you idiot."

As I fell onto the cluttered bed, the female treasures poked me in the side.
I was beyond caring...dead to the world. A deep sleep obliterated the events of the month and the fear my dad would die before I arrived home.

The next morning dawned with a new hope and trust in God.
I had survived the night without heat prostration, altough my clothes were soaked with perspiration. God was good, or at least that was my attitude for the moment.

My anticipation of savoring the first cup of killer coffee with a big shot of expresso, motivated me to jump off the bed.
A caffeine buzz from a delicious cup of Starbuck's coffee beckoned. Luckily, there just happened to be a Starbucks across from Home Depot...how convenient.

Armed with a cup of powerful java, my trip to Home Depot ended in victory.
15 plastic storage tubs filled the back of my 1992 Lincoln Continental. My leisurely drive back to the apartment was a pleasant interlude before the hard work began.

Important errands needed to be accomplished before the intensive moving effort began.
My drive to CompUSA, to return a defective Sony PDA, took only a few moments. A young man recognized my problem immediately. He told me to pick out a replacement. I had wisely invested in their instant technology replacement warranty two years earlier.

Unfortunately, nothing was available for $599.99, the original price of the Sony Clie.
The employee offered to give me a store credit so I could buy a lesser unit. This allowed me to use the full amount of my intial investment. This was awesome...another miracle. Normally, there were tons of units in stock that matched or exceeded the price. This allowed me the opportunity to get some other technology I needed desperately without any outlay of cash.

Other errands filled the entire day as everything flowed smoothly.
I dropped off two bottles of New Vision liquids at "Nates," a friend's business in Addison, Texas, the best cajun restaurant in town. One was vitamins with Mangosteen and the other a bottle of herbs that help women be victorious over the uncomfortable sensations caused by the hormonal imbalances of menopause. Then I returned the toll tags.

My heart broke as I stopped by the healing center in Dallas where Janet and I went after she fractured her back when her car was totaled and I was smashed by a prematurely closing elevator door.
Doctor Gary and Andrew were compassionate and understanding. They were sorry to hear my tale of woe. Dr. Andrew, who is a master of SOT, balanced my sacrum(pelvis), occiput(skull) and thoracics(upper back) to prepare me for the heavy labor to come. I was sorry not to be able to say goodbye to one of the best rolfers on the planet, Richard Merbler.

Next was a trip to Dr. Al Johnson's Environmental Clinic in Richardson where the amazing Synchrodyne had found a home.
Dr. Johnson asked how my dad and mom were doing. He has hyperbaric chambers at his clinic for wound healing. I just wished my dad were here so he could benefit from the powerful infusion of oxygen into all his cells.

After a year's training, a new Synchrodyne guru was ready to help patients at Dr. Johnsons.
Frank Yousuf, the son of the owner of the Synchrodyne, tested me to determine what homeopathics would further balance out my energy fields and acupuncture energy. I needed every edge possible to survive the next couple of days. I tested him and wished his family a fond farewell.

As I was driving to the only Verizon office in Dallas that had a computer data transfer cable for my cell phone to check my email, my heart suddenly dropped into the pit of my stomach as the engine died in the middle of a busy intersection.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 08:54 PM | Permalink

How can two people survive so many catastrophic illnesses?
My sister Denise really nailed it. "Wow! I thought dad would never survive the surgery. Mom is like the 'Energizer Bunny' even though she has congestive heart failure. It is amazing she walked all that distance from the car to the hospital and back on Wednesday and Saturday to drop off dad and pick him up. It seems the only way to kill a Zuranski is with a silver bullet!"

The Zuranski/Brown families have to be genetic mutants to triumph over so many health problems with flying colors.
Prayers from so many people really created miracles for both my mom and dad. Few realize the power of the prayers and the positive thoughts of others. The medical profession is just now realizing that prayer and positive thoughts can help people heal faster and have fewer complications, even if they are on the other side of the planet. After sending out over 1000 emails to pray for my dad, I cannot even imagine how many wonderful people were praying and having positive thoughts for my dad.

Man, was dad ever happy to get home and lay in his bed with a nice warm electric blanket cranked up to full power.
Dad cried on the way home and told Janet and I how grateful he was that we were taking care of him and mom. His gratitude knows no bounds. In fact, he thought Janet deserved a strong dose of Vitamin W (wine) and me some Vitamin T (tequila) for our efforts. It took only a second to fully agree. Also, every one decided to forget cooking and indulge in a big bucket of "El Pollo Loco" chicken. I even snuck over to "Sees Candies" to get my mom a two pound box of soft-centered chocolates. It was definitely a great time to celebrate...delicious chicken, chocolate, wine and tequila in moderation.

I hope everyone has Blessed Christmas and a Great New Year. I would love to send everyone a Christmas card, but my time is limited and prayers for you, your family and friends is the most I can do right now. Thanks again for your prayers and positive thoughts.

The next part of the Zuranski original catastrophic health saga is below:
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"Why do events often spiral out of control when our heart is breaking." by Ralph Zuranski

My heart aches when I cannot be with my dad as he fights for survival.
Sometimes, promises we make conflict with reality. I promised Carl Galleti that I would run the speaker powerpoints and take photos at his Internet Marketing Super Conference in Las Vegas. I had to prepare June 15 and June 16 to do my job.

Mom's birthday was on Wednesday, the day I had to fly to Las Vegas and my heart was breaking.
If only I could have celebrated this special day. We almost lost her 60 days ago, when she came down with pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

I love her so much that emotional conflict was at a maximum this entire day.
There is a huge problem with making a living. During this difficult time I want to spend as much time with my beloved parents as I can.

It could be their last days.
Because of the the importance of making a living, I may not be their to hold their hands and provide solace for their final moments..but I pray this is not the end of their days.

My day had to go into the more sophisticated hospital again to have the feeding tube adjusted.
The amount of pain and suffering is beyond belief....the twiligt zone of emotional pain. I am having such a hard time seeing dad plumbed with lines wandering off to different machines.

My agony at having to leave for the conference at this critical time tested my honor.
I had given my word to Carl and I needed to follow through. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

I saw dad for a few moments before I had to leave.
Luckily, he was able to sign mom's birthday card. I left it on her bed just before the cab took me to the airport.

"If only, if only, if only?" keeps flashing through my mind.
I pray my dad will survive until I return from the conference. I work from 7 AM to midnight each day. Taking photos and running the computers is a time consuming and stressing job. With my dad suffering, it is everything I can do to focus.

Why is it that when people learn about my family crisis they tell me about the death and disabilities of their parents?
Their tales of woe make me cry for their suffering and mine. We are bonded by emotinal pain and fear about what will happen in the near future. My heart is with my mom and dad, but my body trapped in Las Vegas.

It really creates a ton of emotional conflict when I know I won't be able to see dad and mom in the flesh until next week.
I have to fly back to Dallas after the conference. Exhausted totally will be my reality on Monday. 4-5 hours of sleep each night this week is not enough.

Time to put all of our possessions in storage and lives on hold.
I am not looking forward to packing all our possessions in the heat of a Dallas summer. The long, wild ride over 1500 miles, in the 100 degree summer heat without air-conditioning will be an experience.

I just pray dad will survive until then.
I wish the doctors were already using the critical healing and life saving devices I will be bringing with me back to San Diego. Why can not the conventional doctors and pharmaceutical companies be more open-minded and compassionate. The financial bottom line is not the most important thing in life.

Life is so frustrating when you can not help your loved ones when they are suffering.
When I get home, my first step will be to share with you all the things to keep you and your family members from going down this terrible trail. I will share all of Janet's and my secrets about health, that we have learned from the pioneers of Alternative Medicine in the Hall Of Fame.

To Be Continued....

Posted by ralph at 11:46 PM | Permalink

There is nothing new today other than my dad is still calling every fifteen minutes and asking us to come to get him and then not hanging up the phone so we cannot call out.
We get to pick up my dad today. I have to say unplugging the phone is a huge help in peace of mind. I don't know why dad keeps calling every 15 minutes and not saying anything and not hanging up the phone. I guess he is reaching out to us by phone because it is his lifeline to his family.

Oh well, by unplugging the phone I get to sleep all night.
This morning, I had the opportunity just to lay in bed when I woke up for as long as I wanted. It was an awesome experience. I forgot just how wonderful it was to lay there and do nothing by choice.

Sometimes you forget how much you sacrifice for those you love.
"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 This scripture goes a long way in helping me remeber what my responsibilities are to my dad. If you are supposed to love a friend at all times, your parents and family members definitely fall into that category.

The original Zuranski story continues below. It deals with biorhythm knowledge, one of the most valuable things I have learned after 40 years of health research. The original creators really understood the value of biological cycles. Most of the biorhythm books totally missed the important information the researchers discovered.
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"How is it possible to deal with life's tragedies?" by Ralph Zuranski

Have you ever wondered why your relationships with certain people in your life are more intense?
As my dad suffers through the humiliation and depression of being trapped in a hospital bed, I know why it affects me so much. 1. He is my dad and I love him very much. 2. We travel along a similar physical energy path according to biorhythm theory.

When you look at the similarity of our physical biorhythm pathway, you begin to understand why I personally experience my dad's pain.
We travel the same physical energy path...100% compatibility. When he is low on energy or high, so am I. On the days when the energy crosses over the center critical line, bottoms out or peaks, we are unstable together.

During my lifetime, we experienced major conflicts because our emotional and intellectual cycles are almost opposites.
Even though we were the same physically, it was difficult to relate emotionally and intellectually. Our emotional and intellectual energy levels were very different.

My chosen life path was exactly the opposite recommended by my dad.
He said, "Follow in his footsteps. Get a steady job. It does not matter whether you like it or not. Marry a woman you love. Then have kids. Love them. Invest in their education. Buy a home because it will appreciate."

I did none of these.
My focus was health and desperately searching for things that made me feel better. Few could relate to the physical and emotional suffering that was my daily lot in life.

A 99-pound weakling does not get much sympathy from anyone, especially other kids.
Born three months premature, weighing only 3 pounds 8 ounces, the image of "Tom Thumb" was my reality.
Other kids were so cruel. They made fun of my scrawny body, big nose and gigantic ears.

My diet consisted of candy, donuts and Coke.
This terrible diet was funded by collecting pop bottles that had a 3 cent bounty for the small and 5 cents for the large bottles. At that time, everyone though sugar, fat and caffeine was fine as the all-American diet. It is no wonder my body did not grow or heal at a normal rate.

At an early age, the dentist pumped my mouth full of mercury amalgam fillings.
Some health researchers believe your health only has to decline by 25% before your teeth begin to rot inside your mouth. This was my reality.

Every six months, the trip to the dentist was a dreaded event.
At least 3-4 teeth needed new fillings. I hated the needle and Novocain, drilling and filling was a nightmare. Every night before the forced visit, I tossed and turned and sweated in fear of what the morning would bring. After a while, I refused the Novocain and grimly battled the hideous pain of drilling...torture beyond description.

As the fillings increased, the stranger I became psychologically...severe depression and allergies my miserable fate in life.
Last year, I finally had my body levels of mercury checked...they were completely off the charts. This was surprising since I had all the amalgams removed in the early 90s. Mercury toxicity and disrupting the acupuncture meridians related to each tooth were partially to blame for my youthful psychosis.

My poor diet, hormonal imbalances and pesticide exposure contributed greatly to my non-existent immune system and severe depression.
I will discuss my health path in the "Biorhythm Chronicles" in the near future as the events of taking care of dad and mom even out. It is important to go all the way back to life in the womb to understand why poor health plagued my life.

In second grade, right after receiving the Polio vaccine my eyesight deteriorated to almost legally blind.
There was only one style of glasses back then...black horn-rimmed glasses. Over the years, my peers kept telling me I was the model for "Mr. Potato Head" or Alfred E. Newman in "Mad Comics."

As the quintessential nerd, life was pretty miserable.
Since I looked like my dad when he was young, I hated my image...wished I was dead. My only refuge was reading books and comics.

The irony of my eyesight was that I had perfect vision for one foot.
After this distance, everything was a blur. Books became my world...fantasy my reality. I dreamed about the super heroes...wishing I was one.

This fantasy world filled my mind as my grades continued to suffer.
It wasn't that I was dumb, but only extremely hyperactive...perhaps an undiagnosed ADDHD child, before it was discovered. Often I though, "If only I had muscles and super powers, people would be nice to me."

My only solace was mom and books about real and fictional heroes.
We were very similar emotionally and intellectually. It seemed like our thoughts and attitudes were the same. Our bond was incredible. Take a look at our biorhythm compatibility. The similarity is amazing.

My dad soon became angry at me because of my attitude toward him.
Our perspectives and paths were so different. We could not agree on anything...upset with each other most of the time. Of course, I rebelled against everything he stood for...delighted in making him angry with my strange choices, bizarre attitude and preoccupation with fantasy.

Once I learned about biorhythms in 1970, my life and relationships with my parents suddenly made a lot of sense.
My daily journals were invaluable as my study in the effectiveness of biorhythms progressed at a rapid rate. Soon, I began to understand the unique relationships with my parents and others prominent in my life.

You either marry your mother or father.
Do opposites really attract in marriage and relationships? If you look at compatibility scores between my mom an dad and Janet and myself, it is obvious I married a surrogate for my dad. We both married opposites, to complete our own weaknesses. We decided the more difficult path of working on our own insufficiencies, as did mom and Janet.

PS Here is a link to a biorhythm software program I use. The software programmer has done a phenomenal job with this software for a Palm OS operating system. The awesome news is that this software is free. There are no biorhythm programs I know that are better. I have evaluated them all and this beats all the others by light years.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 08:43 AM | Permalink

Janet, my mom and I went to visit dad at the hospital yesterday.
Dad looked great. I joked with him about the surgery and chasing the nurses around the floor with one paralyzed leg...he appreciates hyperbole...exaggerating everything so much the bizarreness of it all just makes you laugh.

Dad was ready to get dressed and come home with us.
He was very upset that he could not. The doctor said he needed more recovery time. He did seem a little disoriented on what time of day it was.

How will I ever get any sleep?
Aaah! The opportunity to get some much needed sleep was a wonderful thought. As I lay down on my bed, I anticipated 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Suddenly, I was shocked awake by the ringing of the phone.
I leapt to my feet and raced to pick it up. It was my dad. "Come get me. My leg is itching really bad." I explained to my dad it was 11 PM and I was sleeping. He said, "Okay."

Every fifteen minutes after that the ringing of the phone broke into my efforts to get some sleep.
After the third time of telling dad I was sleeping and there was nothing I could do for him that late at night, I finally unplugged the phone. I guess with all the anesthesia, my dad does not realize he only has to tell me once about his desire to come home.

Dad must of called a million times with the phone ringing, ringing, ringing, ringing on his side but blessed silence on my end.
When I woke this morning, as soon as I plugged the telephone line into the phone, it rang. "Hi Dad, how is it going." "Ralph," he said, "I want to come home!" "I know dad. Wait till the doctor checks you out and I will come and get you." "Okay" he said and meekly hung up.

I will let you know how it goes.
Today, before dad comes home, Janet and I are escaping to the movies to see "King Kong." It is going to be an awesome day.

We will find out more today.

The original Zuranski health saga next part is below...
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"Why doesn't conventional medicine keep an open mind about new and ancient therapies that are effective?" by Ralph Zuranski

Why doesn't the conventional medicine doctors, nurses and hospitals keep an open mind?
On Sunday and Monday we spent time with my father. Friday and Saturday we were elated because he seemed to be getting a little better...if only in small noticeable steps.

These last two days, he does not look so good.
Dad still cannot swallow or move his left side. He can hold his eyes open for longer periods of time, but that seems to be decreasing. We both were very depressed today at his apparent decline. It is a day-to-day battle....forward-backward, one step forward-two back. At least, I pray this is true and that he will get better.

Dad hated the feeding tube down the the nose so he consciously or unconsciously pulled it out during the night.
How agonizing is it when you cannot enjoy the food you love? Dad is a gourmet cook. He loves food with wild flavors and different consistencies. The white liquid dripped into his stomach has no taste. Anything pumped down the nose and into the stomach bypasses all of the taste organs.

We wonder how in the world he could be getting the protein, vitamins and carbohydrates required to heal his body.
Can dad's body even identify this solution as nutritious? It is a frustrating situation when we are aware of the recommendations by the Doctors in the Alternative Medicine Hall Of Fame. If only the doctors and nurses would provide the therapies that would speed his healing and ease his suffering. Experiencing powerless promotes humbleness.

Years ago, there was a study on patients who were continuing to deteriorate over a period of months that were being fed through tubes.
For many years doctors and researchers wondered why patients who could not swallow continued to get sicker and eventually die. They were fed through tubes surgically inserted directly into their stomachs. After many studies over a long period of time, they were perplexed. The formula had been changed constantly without any improvement.

Finally, one brilliant researcher decided there must be a connection between the mouth, chewing and the process of digestion.
This one pioneering individual suddenly decided to have patients chew the same nutrient combination pumped into the stomach and then spit it out. In a short period of time the patients improved dramatically.

Just by chewing the food and then spitting it out, this activity sent valuable clues to the body's digestive system how to process the nutrients.
This is not rocket science! The chewing process signals to the digestive system what juices to add at each stage of digestion. Protein needs lots of acid. Carbohydrates require an alkaline medium.

When you mix two different food groups, like protein and carbohydrates, the acid and alkaline digestive juices cancel out each other.
This minimizes digestion and absorption. In many cases, the food becomes a toxic waste the body must neutralize. When people are in poor health, proper food combining is another secret technique that can make the difference between life and death, disease and optimal health. In the near future I will create a report on "Just How Important Food Combination Really Is!"

Dad had to be transported today back to a crisis medical care hospital to have a new feeding tube inserted down his nose and throat.
Before he left, I spent a half hour shaving his face, trimming nose, ear and eyebrow hairs growing out of control. He looked so much better after this intense beautification process. It is amazing just how prolific hair growth can be, even when someone is ill. Just this small act seemed to lift his spirits.

Still, I cried inside as his left hand and leg did not move...motionless.
He could barely talk. He coughed often to clear his lungs of the sticky mucus that constricts his breathing. While waiting for the ambulance crew, I secretly placed the Life Field Polarizer on his chest under his covers. We played Mozart's healing music to integrate his brain and calm his spirit.

Tenderly I placed my right hand on his left shoulder.
My goal was to provide a feeling or love and reassurance through human touch. Also, I wanted to transfer some of my own healing energy into his frail body.

According to acupuncture masters, energy comes into the body through the left hand and foot and exits through the right side of the body.
Energy then flows through the entire acupuncture meridian system. Then it exits the right side of the body. By placing my right hand on dad's left side, it is the most efficient method of transferring energy.

When the nurse came in to take another endless sample of blood we cringed.
Janet hid the Life Field Polarizer. Dad's poor veins rebelled at being assaulted one more time...most of them already black and blue from previous punctures. It was difficult to find a vein willing to provide one more drop of life's precious liquid.

Everyone hates needles and getting punctured.
It seems a cruel and usual process just about every patient suffers. Is it no wonder everyone fears experiencing any event that lands them into a hospital.

Why is it that in the last 60 days of the lives of senior citizens a heroic effort is made to keep them alive a few more days?
There is such a struggle in this country. It seems everyone focuses on keeping patients alive at any cost. Wouldn't it be more considerate to end their time on this earth in peace and dignity.

Is life so precious that the quality of one's existence is ignored?
Why torture elderly patients with all manner of punctures, tubes and tests. It is so frustrating and perplexing when simple inexpensive therapies exist that really make a positive difference.

If only the beneficial therapies that are used in some progressive, alternative medicine oriented hospitals and other countries were allowed in every hospital in the United States.
It would be great if the therapies patients received increased their health and speeded their recovery. Why prolong a patient's misery just to increase the hospital's financial bottom line?

If only we could stage a hospital break.
Janet and I considered pulling down dads covers, throwing him over our shoulders and racing for an exit. But, what could we do at home...no special bed, unskilled at inserting feeding tubes and IVs and untrained at physical therapy. Sometimes, a feeling of hopelessness permeates our beings like a dense fog obscures the bright, radiant sunlight.

We can only leave dad in the capable hands of God.
God is in control of all life. His ways are not our ways. In moments like these, our faith in a loving creator is our only hope and peace. When there is nothing you can do physically to change a situation, prayer seems the only avenue available.

Using something as beneficial as a Life Field Polarizer is scorned by most people.
Dad was one of the few who acknowledged that energy medicine has its own special place. He allowed me to place a Life Field Polarizer on an electric cord in the house 25 years ago. He did not question me when I claimed the polarizer would make the EMF radiation coming from all electrical devices strengthening rather than weakening.

All life including man consists of subtle electrical fields which control such vital functions as growth, metabolism, thought, movement, etc.
The human body, composed of ions, minerals and a high percentage water, is a strong conductor of energy and like metal is a very effective antenna structure. It has an inconceivably intricate biocomputer system which controls and orders biological processes.

The subtle energy field of the body provides the instructions for the reproduction, division, and function of all cells.
Any disruption in the integrity of this critically important biocomputer and subtle energy field can be devastating to the correct and effective functioning of all organ systems, especially the brain.

When I arrived home, the first thing I checked was to see if the Polarizer was still on an electrical cord.
Some how it had been moved off the electrical cord and was sitting uselessly on the carpet. We wondered it this simple device had contributed to good health for so many years. I immediately placed it back on the electrical cord, to protect Janet, my mom and myself.

Electromagnetic fields from power lines, appliances, radars, televisions, microwaves, and other electrical devices are dangerous to your mental and physical health.
The incoherent electromagnetic pollution produced by man-made electricity is similar in effect to the glare produced by incoherent light. Incoherent life energy is a major hazard to basic bioelectrical functions and, like incoherent light, must be properly aligned (Polarized) to be optimally useful.

Your home and office are filled with electrical wiring and devices which create electromagnetic pollution.
These unnatural energy fields, especially those produced by alternating currents operating at 60 cycles per second, are suspected of causing depression, cancer, leukemia, psychosis, and other mental and physical problems in unsuspecting individuals.

Recent studies of mice exposed for 30 days to 60 cycle electromagnetic fields of the strength approximating those found near high voltage transmission lines revealed some startling conclusions.
Changes in hormone patterns, body weight, and blood chemistries appeared. These were signs of chronic stress. They also showed a steady increase in degenerative disease---particularly those related to a decreased competency of the immune system, such as cancer.

Over the last 15 years, there has been scattered media coverage about the dangers of electromagnetic pollution.
Many researchers and scientists in this field were persecuted and ridiculed for their dire warnings of the dangerous affects of electromagnetic energy fields on living creatures. In 1989, news broadcasts, radio programs, television specials, magazines, and newspapers covered the topic of electromagnetic fields and their affects on human beings. The "New Yorker," "People," "Infoworld," "Newsweek," and "Discover" magazines carried articles exposing the frightening results of recent scientific studies.

They addressed newfound fears about the harmful affects of electromagnetic pollution created by power lines, appliances, machines, and computers.
Dr. Becker, M.D., author of "Cross Currents" and one of the most respected research scientists in this area, stated, "We now live in a sea of electromagnetic radiation that we cannot sense and that never before existed on this earth. New evidence suggests that this massive amount of radiation may be producing stress, disease and other harmful effects all over the world by interfering with the most basic levels of brain function."

In his book, "The Body Electric," Dr. Becker expounded on this theory on harmful effects of EMF radiation.
He said, "These dangers must be brought into the open so forcefully that the entire population of the world is made aware of them. Since our civilization is irreversibly dependent on electronics, abolition of electromagnetic radiation is out of the question. However, as a first step in averting disaster, we must halt the introduction of new sources of electromagnetic energy while we investigate the biohazards of those we already have with a completeness and honesty that have so far been in short supply." (page 328)

In "People Magazine," in December of 1989, Paul Brodeur, author of the "Zapping of America" and the "Currents of Death" discussed the alleged dangers posed by electromagnetic fields generated by high current power lines, electric blankets, and computer video displays terminals (VDTs).
He said, "Anyone who lives or works in an electromagnetic field is at risk. VDTs first came under suspicion in the late 1970s and early 80s, when a dozen or so unexplained clusters of miscarriages and birth defects were found in groups of women who worked with computers. In one group of computer operators at Sears in Dallas, eight out of 12 pregnancies ended in miscarriage or neonatal death. In 1988, the Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program did a study of 1,583 California women who worked 20 hours or more in a week with VDTs and found they stood an 80 percent greater chance of miscarrying than women who did similar work without VDTs."

In the July/August 86 issue of "American Health," Nancy Shute talked about a study done in Colorado by Nancy Wertheimer which linked high current power lines and transformers to cancer in children.
In the December 89 issue of "Discover Magazine," David Noland explored updates in Wertheimer's research which indicated that the homes most affected were those closest to the transformers serving the largest number of people. She believed that the more power being drawn, the greater the electromagnetic field and incidence of disease.

Automobiles, planes, buses, motorcycles, and planes are now being recognized as powerful generators and receivers of electromagnetic field pollution.
Microwave and radar transmitters, CB radios, and radar guns all produce harmful electromagnetic fields which are absorbed by the metal parts in the vehicles and aircraft. The metal body in most vehicles and planes is acts like an antenna and concentrates all the different types of electromagnetic radiation. The body is also the ground for the electrical system. The spark plugs in conventional combustion engines emit strong pulses of electromagnetic energy every time they fire, bombarding unsuspecting passengers. No wonder most people feel exhausted after long trips.

You are probably wondering how you can protect yourself, loved ones, and pets from this damaging unseen force.
Life Field Polarizers are a solution to the adverse effects of electromagnetic pollution. The large Life Field Polarizer polarizes the incoherent electromagnetic energy in a building, vehicle, boat, and plane. The small Personal Polarizer helps to protect your body whenever you are not in a safe polarized environment. They effectively combat the harmful affects of electromagnetic radiation. They properly align life energy and produce a supportive electromagnetic environment similar to that which existed before Edison activated his first electric utility plant in 1882.

The complex technology which goes into the production of the Polarizers is a culmination of many years of research, study, and development.
The manufacturing process is strictly controlled and each polarizer is individually tested for strength.
You can correct the radiation problems in a building or home by placing the Life Field Polarizer on top of any electrical cord plugged into the electrical circuit of the building. When placed on the floorboard of a car or plane, it provides amazing benefits.

The small Personal Polarizers protect you when you wear one or more on your body.
Many people report marvelous health benefits and increases in vital energy. Once the body is protected from EMF radiation and the biocomputer starts working correctly anything is possible.

No specific health claims are made for the Polarizers.
When a person experiences health benefits it is because the body and brain are working the way they were designed to operate by God.

We know the Polarizers work because so many people feel better when they become polarized.
Animals are also beneficially affected. Kirlian photography, muscle testing, acupuncture, and high-tech computers prove that polarization really helps living system. Subtle energy fields, when balanced and protected from harmful EMF, may be the missing link to health and vitality many are searching for. For more info on polarizers go to: http://www.bewisepolarize.com

To Be Continued....

Posted by ralph at 08:37 AM | Permalink

How can I thank you?
Your prayers and positive thoughts really made a difference for my dad. He sailed right through the surgery to fix the aortic aneurysm in his abdomen. All my family is very grateful for your help.

When I took dad and mom into the hospital yesterday morning at 5 a.m., the tension was palpable.
It was hard to believe that anyone that looks like an escapee from Auschwitz and the other death camps, could survive even a pricking of the finger.

My dad is 5 foot eight and only weighs 108 pounds.
We've done everything that we possibly can to the sum up, but nothing seems to work. Those darn medications have destroyed his hunger.

Dad is out of the intensive care ward and has been moved to his own room.
He is a little disoriented. About 12 midnight last night, the phone was ringing and I thought, "Oh my God, my dad has died." But, it was my dad calling me thinking that my mom and my wife and myself were out in the hallway trying to get in to see them.

Dad demanded that the nurse call our telephone number or just to see if we were out there in the hall.
I talked to him for a little while and he seems a little delusional, but that is commonplace for people that go under the knife. It is an aftermath of the anesthesia. I guess you'd say the anesthesia is taking a person as close to death as you possibly can and still bring them back after the procedure is done.

We are excited about going in to see him today.
Dad still has a few days in recovery in the hospital. We pray he does well and that that nothing goes wrong. We hope to bring him home for a miraculous, joyour Christmas. Hopefully, his recovery will be fast and completed in a short period of time.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers and positive thoughts. It was you who made the difference between life and death.

Below is the next part of the story of the original Zuranski saga:
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"Why do the simple, natural therapies have a beneficial impact on everyone?" by Ralph Zuranski

Hurray! My dad is showing improvement in small steady steps.
He can now open his eyes for a few precious seconds. His speech is slightly slurred but he makes perfect sense. He has not lost his dry wit or sense of humor. He recognizes everyone and is making jokes about his situation.

Who would have ever imagined the tremendous beneficial impact loving family members can have on their sick or injured loved ones.
Often, simple things like massaging the reflex points in their hands and feet and auricular points in the ears has an amazingly valuable impact. People, even when they are not sick or injured, are desperate for human touch.

Wouldn't you kill to have some one rub your hands, feet and ears?
The power in the massage is knowing where the points are located that need special attention. You want to concentrate on the energy points directly related to the injured or malfunctioning areas. If you are willing to sacrifice a little of your time and healing energy, you to can help your family members dramatically.

Also, the health professionals won't be freaked out by your actions.
Secretly, they are wishing you would massage them next. In most cases, they deserve a quick massage for all their diligent hard work caring for your family member!

Of course, this would be a great thing to do on yourself and for other family members to keep them healthy.
After a person has their hands, feet and ears massaged even once, they are anxious to receive these tender ministrations as often as possible. Why not get a reflex hand and foot roller for yourself. They only cost a few dollars. Then you can use it daily. Massaging your hands and feet by just rolling them over the reflex roller on the floor is so simple, yet so incredibly powerful.

You will be amazed at how sore the points on your hands and feet are initially.
When you look at the hand and foot reflex charts and locate your sore points, you will be astounded at direct relationship to your health problems. It is incredible how fast these sore points disappear. Massaging your hands, feet and ears should be a daily part of your new health plan.

When you are consistently massaging yourself, you will experience in a few short days enjoyable feelings of well-being and better health.
This is one of the cheapest and fastest ways to increase your health and vitality. The subtle energy systems balance throughout your entire body rapidly. I carry my inexpensive hand and foot roller where ever I travel. It is worth its weight in gold.

One of my missions as the "Holistic Health Human Guinea Pig" was to research holistic health therapies.
We traded memberships to the practitioners in exchange for my treatments. It was one of the major missing links to my health challenges.

What better way to see if the therapies were a fraud or really worked than testing them out on my own body.
Many of the therapies were beneficial, but at that time in history very revolutionary. The local "Holistic Health Newspaper" wrote articles about my experiences. The practitioners were invited to promote their therapies at monthly seminars for "Family Fitness Center" members. Every one loved the seminars and learned a lot.

Unfortunately, the owners of "Family Fitness Centers "were threatened with the loss of their lease for the La Jolla center if the seminars continued.
The conventional medical center that owned the property considered the therapies quackery. The practitioners were frauds of the worst order. The owner of "Family Fitness Centers" told me to forget the "Holistic Health Guinea Pig Program," dump my super hero for health, Captain Biorhythm, and return to being Ralph Zuranski. He said, "You will get met more credibility without all that other bizarre stuff."

To Be continued...

Posted by ralph at 08:35 AM | Permalink

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Posted by ralph at 05:24 PM | Permalink

Well, tomorrow's the big event, game time for my dad.
The big abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery is tomorrow at 7 AM. I have to drop him off at the hospital at 5 AM. If you have a few spare moments, please keep my dad and family in prayer or think positive thoughts that he will survive this operation.

Gratefulness has a lot to do with choosing happiness and a positive attitude.
"Experience is not what happens to a man, it's what a man does with what happens to him." from God's Little Devotional Book for Men. This is one of the greatest lessons any one can learn. About the only choice you have in life is how you will respond to the the events that occur in your life that you have no control over.

After the last year and half of taking care of both my mom and dad, I've learned that the most important things in life are the people that God puts along your path to help, to hold and to cherish.
Sometimes, it is so hard to sacrifice your own personal desires for wealth, success, power, material possessions, expensive cars, big houses and all the great temptations of life. But, ultimately, this life is all about the people that are made in the image and likeness of God that you have the privilege of knowing and loving.

I guess I'm just kidding myself that I have even one more second on the face of this planet.
You never know when your moment in time to pass from this earth into judgment occurs. It is a pretty good idea to be ready to meet your maker every moment of every day. I think that is one of the great things about taking care of people who are dying, you see just how fragile life is and what a special gift. If you wake up and you are alive, it is a great day no matter what happens.

When you love people dearly, and they love you in return, it is so incredibly hard to think that they won't be around any longer.
You experience a great void in your life even before they are gone. Just the thought of their loss is so hard to bear. You wonder how you can even exist without their kind words, incredible compassion and Godly example. But, you know they will be much better off with their glorified body. There'll be no more paralysis or pain...no more tiredness and no more frustration at being at the mercy of those around you.

If it was up to me, I would keep my dad around for a very long time, just because he is such a great guy, sweet spirit and incredible safe port when trials and tribulations assualt my senses and fears arise.
Fortunately, the decision of life or death is out of my power. It is in the hands of God. He is the one that decides who will live and die and when. I take great comfort knowing that He actually knows what He is doing and has a special plan for every person's life. If they willing to follow this unique path they will experience the ultimate fulfillment of the purpose for which they were created...total completion, absolute peace and incredible joy.

As I meet all the people that my dad has touched through his compassion, kindness and love, I realize that ultimately, the pleasures and material possessions are of a minimal value compared to helping even one soul get to a better place in their life journey.
Of course, I don't want to think the worst, that my dad may not survive the surgery. But, ultimately, I'm a realist. There is a high probability he will not survive.

That is where you come in to the picture.
The most powerful vehicles for traveling to the land of HOPE is faith, prayer and positive thinking. If my dad survives, It will be because of all of you who invested a moment of your precious time to think positive and lift my family up in prayer.

As I sit here with warm, salty tears snaking their way down my cheeks, over my parted lips and then splashing on my keyboard, I think of just how selfish I really am.
My heart aches at the possibility of losing my dad. Of course, I love my dad and will miss him greatly if tomorrow is his last day on earth. But, I have to think about him and the great rewards that are stored up for him in heaven.

With me as his son, I am confident he is in for an amazingly joyful eternal experience because of all the suffering and grief I caused him and my mom.
St. Peter is going to say when he arrives at the Pearly Gates, "Ralph your were a good husband to Winnie and a great father to Ralph. I am sure you never imagined he would require so much faith, prayer and huge infusions of cash. I don't know how you did it. You son was prodigal enough to test even the patience of Job. Come on in. Do we ever have an awesome mansion waiting just for you, thou good and faithful servant."

The next part of the original Zuranski "reality smacks you in the face" saga
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"How could anyone feel more overwhelmed than when catastrophic diseases strike down your parents and you have deal with two separated families?" by Ralph Zuranski

Physical and emotional pain are hard to beat, especially when they are slugging you upside the head all at one time.
It is 5 AM Dallas time and feels like 3 AM with the two hour difference from San Diego. I am exhausted beyond recognition, even after sleeping for 5 hours. With all that is going on, deep restful sleep seems only a dream from the past. After working from 7 AM to midnight for the past four days at the "Internet Marketing Super Conference" by Carl Galletti, in Las Vegas, exhaustion is reality, hopefully not my permanet fate.

Few people realize just how much work goes into creating a successful conference.
When you are responsible for the computer, software, remote pointer, wireless connection and LCD projector, the responsibility is huge. Almost every speaker is dependent on their PowerPoint presentation running smoothly. This is critical since their performance is being video and audio recorded. Any glitch has huge impact on the entire event and the educational product being created by the seminar creators.

The computer geek arrives before anyone arrives and is the last to leave.
Setting up the computer, LDC projector, electronic pointer and connections to the cameras is a mind-boggling exercise in frustration. Every cord and wire is critical. The amount of mental concentraion is awesome. When you take into consideration I am also taking digital and 35 mm photos of the speakers and attendees, the complexity rises to a level beyond imagining.

Optimal nutrition is the only way to compensate for massive doses of coffee, Diet Coke, beef jerky, Snickers bars and chocolate.
Yes, you guessed it...cottage cheese for breakfast, lunch and dinner with junk food breaks. To compensate for all the caffeine and junk food, I chug down liquid vitamins with Mangosteen and essential minerals from New Vision International.

Everyone is astounded that I can drink a green mixture that looks like slime composed of SuperFood from Right Solutions and SuperGreens from New Vision mixed in a large-mouthed water bottle. If you want more information about this company and products, call me at 619-795-9034

Instead of popping drugs, my new addiction is 2 grams of Vitamin C in the form of Super Gram IIIs by Alacer Corporation every hour. To chase the green slime and honkingly big Vitamin C pills, I power down water laced with Alacer's Emergen-C powdered Vitamin C mixed with ascorbates and MSM.

Did I hear you say "Yuck!" through my computer speakers?
I know, I know. How could any intellingent person gag down these weird concoctions? After 40 years of health research, I have found what really works well during times requiring maximum mental and physical performance. When the pressure is on and it is time to perform, it is critical to know how to mix your poisons with compensating elements.

I used to be a health purist, but that preoccupation with the fiction of a pure mind and body was slaughtered by the reality of living in the real world.
When youth was my ally and middle age only a nightmare in the future, the cares of the world were not as overwhelming.

The new reality is do whatever it takes to keep going, do my job and take care of my family.
Since drugs are no longer an option, optimal health is the only way to survive and triumph over the trials and tribulations of life. Failure is not an option. Heart attack, stoke and cancer are not the type of friendly neighbors you want to come visit.

An entire day was wasted in travel from Las Vegas to Dallas and you wonder why I am behind in everything, including this blog.
Vice President Cheney put flights behind two hours when he flew into Las Vegas. I was hoping to get on an earlier flight to Dallas, to start packing. My mind was so fragmented, all I could do was read magazines about computer technologies.

Don't laugh...reading about computers and gadgets is relaxing and exciting for a true Geekhead for 50 years.
Oh, if only I had a cup of strong coffee, my laptop humming away and some Babyboomer music playing in the background I would be in heaven. What a dream of happiness...time to surf the web and pound away at my keyboard. Leisure time is only a brilliant memory.

Janet was so furious with me, death or torture would have been my lot in life if I had been in her presence when I told her it was easier to sell off all the furniture and wall-hangings than put it in storage.
Wow! I had no clue how much different women feel about material posessions than men. When I arrived home at 10 PM Monday night, it was over 90 degrees in the apartment. Air conditioning...Ah, the bliss of air conditioning...what a luxury. I quickly turned it on to maximum freezing power, only to find out it produced hot air. While we were gone, the air conditioner crapped out.

It was like a hurricane in the tropics had hit the apartment, as possessions lay all over the floor roasting in the warm, humid heat.
I was sweating like a pig in a barbacue pit. Can I say it too loudly..."Material possessions are a pain!!!!!" I called Janet and said, "I am selling all the furniture and everything anyone will buy. I don't want to move anything one foot further than I have to." Silence, pure unadulteraed silence came from the other side of the the continent. Had I said something politically incorrect or emotionally insensitive?

Janet was speechless, shocked and furious at my lack of emotional involvement with possessions gained in the last 5 years of turmoil, toil and trouble.
How could I be so unemotional while dealing with our beloved possessions accumulated over the life of our 8 year marriage. Of course, all our precious possessions were now a gigantic headache to me but not to her. Every item was precious in her sight...stimulating memories of events, reliving them as if they were today...invoking so many special thought and emotions.

My only thought was "How could I pack and move all this junk in a few days."
My heart ached from missing my dad! I am so concerned he is still paralyzed on the left side and cannot swallow...still trapped in the conventional medical hospital by a system that is phenomenal at crisis care but slow in restoring health. I wanted to be with him, praying he will still be alive when I return to San Diego.

My entire focus will be to share with you what I have learned through intensive study and massive amounts of trial and error on how to compensate for the pleasures and stresses of life.
When I get home and after I see how my dad is doing and visit with him I will get to work on my step-by-step guide on what I do to stay alive and well. After all, do you want to be a vegetable, trapped in a hospital bed penetrated by tubes. The answer is simple. No! NO! NO! Neither do I. Now that my dad is suffering through the sheer agony of catastrophic disease, I am experiencing it first-hand through him. Definitely, this is not the trail of my desire.

I guess this is how you write when exhaustion is you best pal.
Sorry I am all over the page with this blog and don't have time to keep you updated every day. A tired body and exhausted mind wanders. The light is filling the room and it is time to battle with possessions.

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 11:47 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

When advertising, you need to sell your opportunity, your products and yourself. What sets you apart from everyone else? Maybe you produce a newsletter with a specific content where there is a demand from a particular group of people, or you promote your own special product that no one have not yet seen.
That´s a huge benefit! That´s what you need to sell in your ad campaign, and those are the things you need to do in order to become successful.

You don´t have to be worried that network marketing prosperity is difficult. It isn´t. In fact, it has never been so easy to make a decent second income or even a full time. But it takes time, persistence and uniqueness.

The people looking at your ads and reading your follow up letters are going to judge you and your whole business not only by what the materials have to say, but also by their appearance.

Be sure you send a powerful, positive and convincing message. Invest some time and money on your marketing materials, the payoff will be well worth it. Look at others ads on the Internet, see what´s attracting you, this will most likely attract others too.

Do you see what I have in mind? Your advertising campaign will be the propel to your business success. By now you think "How do I create one of those successful ads" After all, It´s the words that sell your opportunity. Write a good ad and It´s taking you to the top. Read others ads, get some good ideas from it, don´t copy it, that´s theft. Just get some inspiration from it.Let your friends take a look at your new written ad and say what they think about it, honestly.

Now where to put your ad? If you place your ad in a pets publication and the ad is promoting toys for children you might not get a single response. But placed in the right publication it will be a winner. It´s very important that you from the beginning know exactly where to put your ad. Just think about you having spent hours on that ad and then you put it in the wrong publication and get no response at all, that´s a big waste of time and effort.

My best advise is that you always work on your ads. Write them down, leave them for some time, go back to look at them again, let others look at them and after a while you will see the picture of your ad and you will se if it´s working or not. If not then you have to start from the beginning and write a new one and follow the same procedure again. But now it´s easier because you are deeply involved in the process.

The Internet are full of ads, start clicking around and read others ads, this is the best way to learn what is working or not. You probably can tell instantly when an ad is good or not at least after a while.

Posted by ralph at 12:29 PM | Permalink

"If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small." Proverbs 24: 10
Why is it so easy to listen to good advice but not apply it? Change is something we all resist. Insanity is doing the same thing evey day and expecting different results. It takes a lot of creativity to face the same unpredictable cirmstances and deal with them in a different way.

Some days, I definitely feel stressed because I feel helpless, trapped by my circumstances.
With my dad perched between life and death, every day is a challenge to choose a positive attitude. It is frustrating when you cannot make any major life changes because the situation is out of your control. You just don't know from moment to moment what will be happening. Every thing is in God's hands no matter what is happening

The big surgery is scheduled for a week from this Wednesday.
The surgeon will place the stent in dad's major aortic artery to bypass the aneurysm. We are scared he will die before the surgery from the aneurysm bursting and terrified he will not survive the surgery.

Each day is so precious.
Every morning when I go into his room for the diaper change and he is still alive is a good day. Everyone that knows my dad feels he is one of the sweetest, kindest people they have ever met.

I often wonder if it is selfish to try to keep him here on earth...to enjoy his optimistic attitude and kind and caring spirit.
If I was in his shoes, it would be pretty difficult to be positive and not angry at my fate in life...very angry at God for crippling me in my last days and making me totally dependent on those around me.

It is one of the most humbling experiences I have ever had.
It was a horrible experience when I was totally dependent on others when I was sick or injured. It is hard to imagine what it must be like experiencing that same reality for almost a year and half.

One of the great joys and sorrows of life is to be around those you love who are slowly dying.
It is a blessing for them to know that their time is near and their spiritual rewards within sight. It is sad for us because there are so few people who are such great examples of kind, loving, compassionate people that we should be like, but are not.

The Zuranski original health crisis continued below:
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"My personal biorhythms are low and I am having a hard time keeping positive!" by Ralph Zuranski

Sometimes, it is hard to keep a positive attitude when things are not going according to my life-plan!
I know. I know! Events occur daily that have nothing to do with my own personal projected path in life. Everything was going great. Then everything changed when mom an dad got sick.

Who would have ever imagined both parents would have quality of life threatening diseases within 60 days.
This issue keeps circling around inside my mind, like a broken CD playing the same song over and over again. To fight against the way things are in reality is not wise, but I continue to ask "What if." The is not healthy. It shows I want to live in the past and dont't want to face reality.

Low biorhythms seems to be contributing to my lethargy and dissatisfaction with this time and space.
After studying and using biorhythms to my benefit for over 34 years, I realize now is not my most effective writing time. My physical, emotional, intellectual and intuition cycles are in the recuperation state. I did not feel like working on the blog for the last three days.

From past experiences, my best strategy would be to rest and recuperate.
But, in this blog it is important to see the range of emotions that individuals experience when their moms and dads are ill. I don't know anyone who is positive all the time...having victory over all the trials and tribulations of life. Only phonies say they are not affected by the ups and downs of life.

Choosing to be happy is sometimes so hard, it is not worth the effort.
If things are occurring in your life that are an extreme challenge to your positive attitude, sometimes it is better just to experience grief and get over it...at how your life has changed. If you remain positive all the time, people around you think you are very strange at best or insane at worst...a robot or some type of alien.

The last two days I was having an extremely tough time.
My dad consciously or unconsciously pulled his nasal feeding tube out AGAIN. He still cannot swallow and the tube is his life line. But, having a tube down your nose obviously sucks big time. Wouldn't you want to pull it out also?

On the way back from the more comprehensive hospital where he got the tube reinserted again, the attendants in the ambulance thought my dad was dead.
His breathing was so shallow, they assumed it was "curtains." Luckily, there was a respiratory therapist in the ambulance. She hooked him up to pure oxygen and he recovered immediately.

Why can't they keep dad on oxygen all the time.
Oxygen pulled my mom out of her congestive heart failure. When people are close to death, the first thing they give them is oxygen. Why wait until they are almost dead?

I breathe oxygen all the time, just to optimize my health.
After 40 years of research, the food most people are not getting enough of is OXYGEN. When I discovered my oxygen saturation levels (the amount of oxygen in my blood) were low, I started breathing pure oxygen while sleeping. My health experienced a quantum leap. I am the ultimate advocate for breathing oxygen anytime...anywhere.

Oxygen is the food we eat the most.
You can only survive for a few minutes with out oxygen. Virtually every cellular process requires oxygen as a part of the energy creation process called the KREBS Cycle. Breathing oxygen is one of the big secret weapons in the war on aging and life destroying diseases.

When I started exercising with oxygen, I felt 30 years younger.
I have two oxygen concentrators and breathe straight oxygen with a mask while I ride a "Health Rider" for 20 minutes each day. I use bungie cords to increase the resistance. This is one of the biggest hidden secrets of rejuvenation and revitalization. Exercising with oxygen pumps oxygen to every cell more effectively and faster than anything I know...except for perhaps hyperbaric oxygen.

Oxygen is the food the cells are missing.
The oxygen levels because of pollution and deforestation are much lower than in the past. Sometimes the oxygen levels drop so low in the cities and industrialized cities, people die at an accelerated rate. The Japanese realize this and actually have "Oxygen Bars" where you can go and saturate your cells with pure oxygen.

If only they would give my dad oxygen all day and night, he would improve faster.
I am so frustrated none of the suggestions of the doctors in the Alternative Hall Of Fame can be applied until we get dad home. All the doctors recommended hyperbaric oxygen immediately, Nattokinase, Vitamin C and brain food. I really wish we lived closer to my doctor friends.

I am confident the Acuscope and Myopulse also would accelerate his healing and improve his swallowing.
After working on thousands of patients in Asia, Mexico, South America, Canada, the middle East and the United States over 20 years, I know the acupuncture, meridian and trigger points that relieve pain and muscle spasms fast. The instruments are amazing in their ability to help the cells heal themselves so the body can eliminate pain and muscle spasms.

In fact, talking about a pain in the neck...Janet has a stiff neck and the instruments really help her.
I trained her in 1992 and keep trying to get her to work on herself, but she likes my personal touch. Even though Janet worked on thousands of patients with the Acuscope, Myopulse and Synchrodyne she did not believe they worked until she was sick and in pain. When she saw each patient improve in a short period of time, their success did not impress her. She just assumed it was a placebo effect.

After Janet's car was totaled two years ago and her back fractured, she came to be a real believer.
The instruments were the only things that gave her relief from the unrelenting pain. They speeded the healing of her back and minimized the pain. Finally, she is a real believer and is thankful we own each instrument.

Actually, she is calling me now saying, "Honey, I am ready."
"Get in here now. The Queen is in pain!" Of course, I am kidding. Janet and I love humor, especially hyperbole, exaggerating things so severely they are too funny for words.

To Be Continued.....

Posted by ralph at 08:41 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

In the world of ecommerce, millions of sites are fiercely competing with each other to gain new clients. For any ecommerce site to succeed, it must capture the interest and the trust of its visitors. It is not enough that your site is impeccably designed or has the latest in animation of content. You should focus your efforts not only in attracting visitors but also in leading them to make a purchase. There are dozens of marketing strategies you can use to attract more buyers and pump up your sales. One of them is by establishing an excellent and professional reputation for prompt and efficient response.

As more potential customers visit your site, you should expect a flood of inquiries and requests for information. This is an excellent opportunity for you to capture more clients and lead them to buying from your site. Thus, it is important that you carry out an efficient and prompt response to every email you receive. The fastest and most effective way to do this is by utilizing Autoresponder services.

Autoresponder services use a computer program that automatically returns a prewritten message to anyone who sends an email to your site. It is widely used for responding to consumer inquiries and visitor comments and suggestions. Autoresponder services are also used by e-zines in responding to people who subscribe or unsubscribe to their online magazines. Companies, who send out their e-newsletter regularly, also use Autoresponder services.

How can effective Autoresponder services help boost your business? The answer lies in its ability to return a prompt response to any e-mail the site receives. By responding rapidly and efficiently, you create a very good impression on your potential customer. Good Autoresponder services help you get important information back to these customers immediately. An effective Autoresponder service helps you communicate your message promptly, creating a sense of professionalism and efficiency that your clients will definitely appreciate.

Another very important advantage of Autoresponder services is that it saves time with multiple marketing tasks. Certainly, you do not have enough time to personally make and send all correspondence. Autoresponder services allows you to send thank you letters, newsletters, product information, brochures, orders etc. to hundreds of clients almost immediately and simultaneously. Autoresponder services are also indispensable in any email marketing campaign.

Choosing the right Autoresponder services is very important. What then should you look for in an Autoresponder service? First, you should pick an Autoresponder service that is reliable and can give you 24/7 service. You cannot afford to lose a customer because your Autoresponder service failed to answer his query or request for information. The ability to respond promptly is the first thing you must look for in any Autoresponder services.

Another key factor you should consider when choosing Autoresponder services is flexibility. Good Autoresponder services allow you to customize unique responses that will have maximum effect on the customer. You should avoid creating an impression that the customer is communicating with a machine instead of a real human being. Excellent Autoresponder services lets you provide the information that is specifically targeted for what the potential customers are looking for. Because any email from potential customers essentially represent the customer's intent on getting more information about your product, which can ultimately lead to direct sales, all emails are important. Thus, a top Autoresponder service must fulfill all these duties to help you boost your business.

Posted by ralph at 12:46 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Does the thought of trying to get publicity for your business seem like something that you can't do yourself, and would have to hire a professional for? Do you think that writing a press release is totally outside your ability to do? Does the thought of talking to the media about your business make your mouth go dry and your stomach clench? If so, take heart, because you're about to learn how you can take care of your own publicity, simply and easily.

Getting publicity for your business can seem like an impossible task -- something that only happens for "big" companies that can afford to hire publicists.

The reality is, getting free publicity for your business isn't that difficult. Welcome to "Media Training 101 -- The Secrets of Writing a Good Press Release". By the time you finish reading this article, you'll not only understand the basics, you'll know what goes into the process, and what you have to do to get started writing your own press release.

First of all, let's go over some basic terminology you need to be familiar with.

Press Release: A statement with useful and relevant information that is written for distribution to the media.

Hook: The information or larger story that you can use to attach your press release to. Using the right "hook" in the right way can help you to get more publicity for your business.

Spin: Telling your story your way.

The good news about learning to write a Press Release is that there is an established format that you need to follow. And once you've learned the basics, writing a press release is a kind of "cookie cutter" process. Here are some basic ideas to keep in mind:

Make your news "newsworthy". A press release is not a sales advertisement. A good press release answers all of the "W" questions (who, what, where, when and why), and
sometimes "how." Your purpose in writing it is twofold: to provide the media with useful and relevant information about your organization, product, service or event and to get your name out to your target market.

Begin with a strong headline. Your headline and first paragraph need to grab the reader’s attention. Without being flowery or overly dramatic, you have only the first few seconds to grab your reader’s attention and get them to read your story, and decide if it’s worth running. So don’t blow it by being vague or weak. The rest of your press release can give them the nitty-gritty details.

Tailor your story to your Primary audience – the media. Your secondary audience is your target market, but if the media doesn't decide that your story is newsworthy and runs it, your potential customers will never know about it!

Pay attention to your writing. Sometimes, especially in rural areas and online, the media will run your press release in their publications with little or no modification, so make sure you’ve used your spelling and grammar check before sending it, and keep to the facts. Most of the time, journalists will use your press release as a stepping off place for a larger feature story, especially if you can show larger relevance to other current events. Always develop your story as you want to have it told – put YOUR spin on it. Even if your story is not reprinted verbatim, always remember what YOUR purpose is in writing it – to provide exposure for you, and to help brand you as an expert in your field.

Not everything is news. Just because you are excited that you made your first big sale, or started a new product line, or wrote your first article, doesn’t necessarily mean that the press are going to think you have a newsworthy story. From the time you start your first draft, keep your audience in mind. Who will find your story interesting? Why are they going to find it interesting? How is it relevant to something else that’s going on right now?

Identify a problem, and show how you’re solving it. Use real life examples about how your company or organization solved or is solving a problem. Give examples of how your service or product fulfills needs or satisfies desires. What benefits can be expected? Use real life examples to powerfully communicate the benefits of using your product or service.

Stick to the facts. Always. Tell. The. Truth. Avoid fluff, embellishments and exaggerations. It is part of a journalist’s job to be skeptical. If you want to use publicity effectively, then you're not looking for a one night stand. You want to gain the trust of the media, establish your credibility, and build an on-going relationship with your local media, so that you become a resource for them within your industry.

Find your “hook”. Try to make your press release timely. Keep informed about what’s going on in your community, in your state, region, the country or the world. Is there a local, regional or national news story that somehow ties in to your industry or your business? If you can hook your press release to current events or social issues, you increase your chances of having it picked up. If not, then make sure your story is relevant to the needs, wants or problems of your community or target audience.

Use an active, not passive, voice. Use strong verbs that will bring your press release to life. If there is controversy, describe it. There is an old adage in the news business: “If it cries it flies, and if it bleeds, it leads.” (Not very nice, but it’s often true.) So, while you may not be crying or bleeding, make what you’re writing about stand out. Use active verbs. Write “partnered” rather than "entered into a partnership" or “engaged” rather than “interested”, etc. Writing in this manner will help guarantee that your press release will be read.

Use only enough words to tell your story. Avoid using unnecessary adjectives, flowery language, or redundant expressions such as "added bonus" or "first time ever". Paint a strong, vivid picture in the minds of your audience by making each word count.

Use jargon sparingly. There are times that some jargon is required if your goal is to optimize your news release for online search engines, but whenever possible, speak plainly, using everyday language. Avoid words like "capacity planning techniques" and "extrapolate”.

Avoid hype. The exclamation point (!) is your enemy. You will destroy your credibility by using hype. If you must use an exclamation point, use one. Never do this!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get Permission. Most people and companies are very protective about their reputations. Be sure that you have written permission before including information or quotes from employees or affiliates of other companies or organizations. If there is a hint of a dispute in this area, chances are your press release will be tossed aside, and never used. And you will lose your credibility.

If you follow those simple rules, you'll be able to put together a newsworthy story that will help you achieve your goals of getting the word out about your business.

Posted by ralph at 11:41 PM | Permalink

Yes you guessed it. Life does suck sometimes, and it's easy to get depressed.
After Janet came back from Louisiana last night, she had a horrible migraine headache and was crying. Her mom is in so much pain with cellulitis, arthritis, diabetes, cancer and other assorted ailments, you wonder sometimes if life is even worth living.

After visiting with the surgeon with my dad, the news is not good.
The doctor is concerned about the aneurysm breaking, since it is around 5.7 mm. They usually break somewhere between six and 7 mm. The first opening to get my dad in four surgery and the placement of the stent is around the 14th of December. It's frustrating when you have to wait that long, and you're concerned about a loved one dying before their time.

With both my dad and also Janet's mom having to go for surgery, dangerous surgery, within the next two weeks, it's hard to keep your mind on anything else.
You see your dreams of financial wealth, business success and long vacations on a Paradise Island slowly slipping away. You bump into a difficult choice every morning and night. What is more important, the people in your life or achieving your financial and material goals? I know the correct answer is the people in your life, but that doesn't make it any easier to have to sacrifice your financial income in exchange for helping those that are sick.

When my life isn't going the way that I would prefer, it helps if I to focus on the rewards that will be forthcoming in the afterlife for doing the right thing here on earth.
I am often reminded of the Scripture, "He that is the greatest among you shall be your servant...and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." Matthew 22:11, 12

I know that following God's advice in the Bible it is easier said than done.
When you are taking care of people that are sick, don't feel good and don't have much hope of recovery, you really experience your own mortality and fear the same scenario. You realize that only for the grace of God, you could be in that same situation.

Once you realize that, it is much easier to have compassion and empathy for the people that you are taking care of.
In fact, when you realize that you could very well be in their same situation, it's amazing how fast you can see the good things are going on around you and the many blessings that are in your life.

The best advice is that, “Things will get better tomorrow, or tomorrow, or tomorrow, or tomorrow.”
Do I sound like broken record? Well, after living 56 years you realize there are ups an downs in life. Ultimately things do change for the better, if you look for the silver lining in every dark cloud. The faster you accept what is going on and look for the silver lining, the sooner the glorious radiance of understanding light illuminates the darkness of your path.

You begin to realize the reason it was so dark was you had your eyes closed.
You were thinking only about yourself. When you are always looking inward, it is easy to see the blackness of your own selfishness, your sins and the sickness of an ungrateful soul.

Read the next part of the original Zuranski catastrophic health crisis saga below!
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"Hurray! Dad is really doing better, out of the hospital bed for longer periods, doing physical therapy every day and extremely anxious to come home. " by Ralph Zuranski

Hurray! Dad is really doing better, out of the hospital bed for longer periods of time, doing physical therapy every day and extremely anxious to come home.
Who can say the power of human touch is not having a big, positive impact on my dad's amazing recovery. Massaging his hand and foot reflex points and auricular points in his ear is fun. Holding the Life Field Polarizer on his chest seems to be helping more each time. When we are not holding it on dad, we place it on an electrical cord that is plugged into the wall to benefit all the patients, doctors, nurses and staff secretly in the entire hospital. One polarizer can condition the EMF radiation befeficially in an entire building.

I am excited about working on my dad with the Electro-Acuscope and Myopulse.
They help restore the flow of energy through the acupuncture meridians and tissue in the body. If only I could have treated my dad right after the storke.

This was very frustrating, especially for someone who has trained doctors and their staffs world-wide how to use advanced Bio-Computers.
For over twenty years, I had the unique opportunity to work with scientists that were so smart, just being around them made your brain ache from stupidity. Their English was so tinged with a European accent, you had to ask them multiple times to repeat themselves.
This really annoyed them to the max.

My job was to translate what they said in broken English into real English.
It was extraordinarily difficult to simplify the material so everyone would understand. Jokingly, I often told them, "I will Polish what you said and make it so simple even a Pollock like me can understand." They usually laughed. I am Polish and proud of my heritage. It was okay to make fun of myself to add some humor.

Usually, we met late at night in a secret location.
These scientists were a little more than paranoid. They were pioneers in interfacing high-tech measuring devices, computers and software. Their instruments were light years ahead of anything on the market at that time. The biomedical computers interfaced with the microscopic electrical systems of the body and balanced bio-electrical energies in the body, automatically.

The scientists were in such high demand by large corporations, governments and the military world-wide, they traveled to Europe and Asia often.
Most of the instruments they created were designed to help humanity overcome chronic pain and difficult diseases. The irony was that most of the instruments they created were classified in research categories. Doctors and health professionals could not charge for the treatments.

Did you realize it is harder to make something simple than complex?
The brief descriptions and demonstrations of the different advanced biomedical computers often lasted to the wee hours of the morning. The scientists were so secluded from what was going on in the world, they wanted to talk about everything...I just wanted to drive the 3 hours home and go to sleep.

Finally, after making suggestions on how to make them user friendly I could escape.
After the long drive home and some much needed sleep, I would test out the equipment on myself and other willing subjects the next day. After the initial research was completed, it was another long drive back to scientists secret location to make suggestions and learn more about the instruments. Eventually, a step-by-step training manual was created. The devices created by these scientists were incredible...perhaps too effective!

We are so excited at the potential progress of my dad as soon as he gets home, I could sing for joy.
Hyperbaric oxygen is the top recommendation of all the doctors. Doctor David Steenblock is one of the leaders in stroke rehabilitation. His website is www.strokedoctor.com. Hopefully, we can get dad immediate hyperbaric oxygen when he escapes the confines of the hospital.

Isn't it amazing how your priorities can change in a matter of seconds?

To Be Continued...

Posted by ralph at 08:40 PM | Permalink

Well, today is the big day for my dad.
Yesterday, he survived the angiogram with flying colors. He went through the procedure with no pain, and lots of information to gain. I appreciate everybody's prayers and attribute his success to the many people that are praying for my dad and my family.

In an hour we will be meeting with the major cardiovascular surgeon at Sharp Hospital. He will give us an update on just how bad my dad's aneurysm actually is. He will also tell us whether dad is a candidate for a stent placed through an artery in his leg up into his abdomen. Or, whether he will have to have opened abdominal surgery to repair the aneurysm.

Sometimes, it is easy to get discouraged because of the up and down aspect of the entire episode...especially with a lack of sleep. Having to get up a couple times in the middle of the night to change diapers really kills your sleep cycle.

Since I am on night duty, even with my wife here, it is rare to get a full night's sleep. I have to apologize a lot to everyone for being cranky and not too thrilled every time I hear my dad yell "Yahoo!" and I don't mean surfing the internet. He has swithched from "You Hoo" to "Yahooo" because he knows how much I like to surf the internet.

It is really amazing he still retains his sense of humor, never complains and always has something nice to say to his two resident handlers... me and Janet. I wish I could say the same thing about myself.

My life is so frustrating sometimes, especially when I am working on an important project for Robert Channing, the world's foremost mind-reader. Every time I talk to him on the phone I know he knows what I am thinking. It is a little embarassing when I am battling anger and frustration over my choice to help my parents in their last days.

When I used to tell them, "Yes, I will take care of you when you can't in your old age!" I now wonder, what in the world was I thinking at the time...I'm just kidding.

Being there for them is worth its weight in gold, now and in eternity, even if some days it is hard to see the good things and blessing all around me. Occassionally, I feel my life sucks for only a little while, until I ask God for forgiveness for my bad attitude.

I guess I'm only human. Others think I am a paragon of virute...a real saint. If they only knew the truth. I am sure it is the same for everyone in my same boat. Some days, a good stiff shot of Doctor T is the only answer to changing dirty, smelly, filled to the brim poopy pants. (-:

PS The following scriptiure is a real help most of the time:

"But seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

It is far easier to know that God is in control than me. Thankfully he knows what He is doing and everything is working out according to his marvelous plan for my life.

Sometimes, I feel that salvation is an awesome free gift, but santification, that is an onging process, is harder and more painful than I ever imagined.

Just when I feel I am doing a pretty good job, God stretches me a little farther and continues to help me become a more kind, loving and self-sacrificing person...it hurts to sacrifice my wants and desires. Is it the same with you?

Here is the next edition of the original tale of despair when the catastrophic illness occured.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Depression and mood swings are greater when one of your loved ones is trapped in the conventional medical system!" by Ralph Zuranski

Monday, June 7, was a rough day.
Dad looked like he would not last another day. Yesterday I was too depressed to write anything. Isn't it amazing just how much difference a day makes.

We were stunned, frightened and upset.
When we first came into the hospital ward, dad was sitting in a wheel chair. He was positioned next to the nurses station, unshaven and no feeding tube hanging from his nose. His head hanging down, resting on his chest. He really seemed out of it, his mind some other place.

Was this a punishment for pulling out the feeding tube during the night?
Was this just a way for the staff to keep an eye on him so he did not harm himself? Sometimes you just don't know. You are afraid to ask. You don't want to hurt any of the staff's feelings, especially if any are extremely sensitive to criticism. As my dad says, "Everyone wants you to do it their way. You don't have much of a say on what goes on around me."

We assumed it was the actions of a kind and loving staff.
There is a lot of hustle and bustle in a busy hospital ward. Perhaps sitting in the middle of the flurry of activity could be a way of breaking the intense boredom.

Sitting in the same room with the TV fixed on one station with no sound is boring to the extreme!
When you are trapped in your bed or in a wheel chair life is no fun, in face it is less than zero fun. Life could get worse but not by much. When you are paralyzed on one side, can't swallow and hooked to a bunch of tubes and machines the joy of living seems absent.

Dad seems to be handling despair and depression better than we are.
In his conscious moments, dad's wry sense of humor and positive outlook dominate. He is always concerned about mom and everyone else.

Dad's kindness, compassion and generosity to everyone he meets has affected many lives in a positive way.
Cards, letters and phone calls are like a tidal wave of caring and love. So many people who my dad has touched in a unique way miss his presence and servant attitude. It is so rare to find someone who always has kind things to say...that is more concerned about your problems than theirs.

Sometimes, the loved ones that are not stricken by illness have a harder time dealing with some one else's infirmity.
The highs and lows of life affect all of us. Few realize these cycles are natural. They are a blessing rather than a curse. Life would be so tedious if every day was the same. Highs and lows, good and bad days, create a range of emotions that keep us from being robots.

Biorhythm cycles are one of the most valuable discoveries for those who are trained how to use them in a beneficial way.
In the late 1800s, Doctor Fliess and Swoboda independent of each other, discovered a 23 day physical and 28 day emotional cycle. They studied the fluctuations of fevers in their patients and the date and time of their deaths.

Biorhythm cycles were a statistical analysis of major events occurring at the weakest times...when people were ill.
The doctors recorded the conditions of their patients during life-threatening events and searched for numerical cycles that repeated. They found the 23 day physical and 28 day emotional cycles had the greatest impact.

Biorhythm pioneers discovered consistent biological cycles that affected most of their patients.
They even noticed that the same dosage of medications, surgeries and other therapies had more powerful effects at certain times during the biorhythm cycles. Soon they developed a strategy of treatment that maximized their patients' survival.

The 28 day emotional cycle seemed most powerful during the full moon.
This may sound strange but many doctors and researchers who studied cycles of activity in their patients noticed dramatic changes at the time of the full moon. This is where the term "lunacy" originated. Stories about werewolves, murderous mood swings and increases in one-on-one violence by lunatics fueled this theory.

A high percentage of the body is water.
The moon radically affects the movement of tides. Researchers feel the gravitational affects of the moon also affect the water in our bodies. There is a vast field of subtle energies that affect every person, animal and plant.

Few researchers have given subtle energy medicine the credit it deserves.
Just following your body's natural rhythms with a biorhythm chart provides valuable information. Once you see the correlation between high and lows in your life and the flow of biological energy, you are light years ahead.

Realizing these energy cycles are predictable, you can plan ahead.
For most of my life, I kept a daily diary...recording everything that happened in great detail. When I learned about biorhythms in 1970, I was astounded. There was a direct relationship between physical and emotional critical days and radical changes...accidents, injuries, huge mistakes, emotional outbursts, great joy, special accomplishments.

Every year the physical, emotional, intellectual and intuitive cycles all travel the same pathway twice a year.
Dramatic events occurred when the biorhythm cycles added together. The energy combinations during the high and low phases are magnified. At these times, people make life changing decisions or suffer major accidents or illnesses. Usually, this occurs when the cycles go from energy output to recuperation or the opposite.

People are most unstable when the biological energies are changing.
Researchers discovered that during the crossover, people's reaction time could slow down by 2 to 2.5 minutes. This is a phenomenal decrease, especially when we drive cars, fly planes, make decisions at accelerated speeds.

When I checked for biorhythm critical day matches, for times predicted to be unstable or extreme, the relationship jumped out like a sore thumb.
Yikes! If only I had known about biorhythm cycles at those times. Perhaps with more planning, taking a few extra moments before acting, checking my work would have saved my major traumas and mistakes.

Yes! I was freaked out by the correlations!
Biorhythms scared me. I thought that every time the cycles crossed the critical line, an accident or bad decision awaited in the wings. When the cycles combined together, getting out of bed was a frightening experience.

Crossover days along with low and high days does not mean bad things are going to happen.
After months of trial and error, I suddenly realized the value of biorhythms. You could plan your activities to take full advantage of the different flows of energy. You can track your healing powers. You can optimize your performance in sports.

When the energy is high take advantage of the opportunity to get more done.
When my energy is high, I schedule my time to complete as much work as possible. At these times, more is accomplished in one day than an entire week when energy is low.

When energy is low, I rest and recuperate and prepare for the maximum output days.
When I go into the recuperation phase my life strategy changes. I sleep more and go to bed earlier. My focus on eating the best diet possible and taking all my supplements provided big rewards. I rest more and do less, building up my energy levels so I can get a tremendous amount accomplished when energy is high.

When dad had his stroke, we printed out his biorhythm chart immediately.
His stroke began late Saturday night, May 22, and into the early morning Sunday, May 23. Dad's physical, emotional and intellectual cycles were low and in the recouperation state.

To Be Continued

Posted by ralph at 02:40 PM | Permalink

Well you guessed it... another unexpected change occurred in the blink of an eye.
Somehow, somewhere, there was a mistake made. Before the surgeon's consultation on Wednesday, they were expecting my dad to go into the hospital on Tuesday, today, to have an angiogram.

I was informed by a medical tech that when the aneurysm gets to about six to 7 mm that it is in danger bursting. My dad proudly proclaims that his was 5.7 mm. The doctors need to go and do the angiogram just to see how big the aneurysm actually is. The idea is to find out whether a stent, a artificial tube that goes inside the artery to keep it from bursting can be inserted without open abdominal surgery. They say it can be inserted through an artery in the leg.

I don't have much time to say more, because I have to get my dad ready to go to the hospital right now. I appreciate your prayers for my family and my dad. If it is not too much trouble, please keep us in prayer. Late today we will know what his options are, if he even survives the angiogram.
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This is another installment of my dad's illness last year.

"What can you do to help your loved ones trapped in a hospital in the conventional medical system?" by Ralph Zuranski

On Saturday, May 30, Janet and I drove to the hospital to spend time with my father, fearful of what we would find.
We were hopeful but, when we first saw him again we were stunned. Dad barely moved. His eyes appeared glued shut. The left arm and leg just lay there immobile. The left half of his face was slack. The feeding tube going in the nose and down the throat was taped to his skin. The catheter tube drained urine mixed with blood into a clear plastic bag.

Sometimes, life seems like you are trapped in a horror movie.
With all the tubes, vigilant machines whirring, blinking and beeping it seemed like a science fiction movie. Unfortunate humans were hooked up to all manner of machines. The hybrid mechanical-computerized devices appeared to have a life of their own. Each communicated with the others with strange squiggly lines of computer code. The tubes attached to the human bodies like snakes, sucking the very life out of them. A scene from the first "Matrix" movie flashed across in my mind, with the main character hooked up to myriad numbers of tubes, providing power to run the destroyed world.

The hospital environment was surreal, a nightmare of intense images.
The quiet whispers of visitors, wondering if their loved ones would recover and by how much, sounded like millions of cockroaches scurrying across the floor, in search of food at any cost. To see my dad in this predicament broke my heart. Janet and I forced back tears of sorrow. We bravely put on happy faces, just in case dad would open his eyes.

Communication was difficult...almost impossible.
"Dad, dad, can you hear me? It's Janet and Ralph." I said quietly, with reverence. He opened his eyes slightly for a second then closed them. He mumbled something we could not understand. We could see he was in pain. What could we do to help ease his suffering?

What can you do to help your loved ones immediately recover from tragic events?
This is a real challenge. You do not want the nurses and doctors freaking out! You cannot take into the hospital any advanced technology. It does not matter even if you are a internationally recognized expert.

The first thing we did was lay our hands gently on his body and prayed that God would heal him and stop his pain.
When you feel powerless, prayer often appears to be the only option. After many years treating patients in doctors offices, the power of prayer cannot be underestimated. Recent studies show dramatic improvements in patients when people pray for them, even if their are on the other side of the world.

Then we each held one hand, as tears rolled down our cheeks.
Human touch is so powerful and calming to patients. After studying energetic medicine for over 20 years, it is my firm belief that healthy people transfer healing energy directly into sick or injured individuals directly through through touch.

At every opportunity we would touch my father and transfer healing energy into his system.
For those of you familiar with the reflex energy points on the hands, feet and ears, you know the power of human touch. Massaging the hand, feet and ears can have a very beneficial effect on individuals.

Life Field Polarizers are also very powerful in helping to balance the subtle energy of the body.
These strange looking white, cone-shaped devices are powerful antennas that absorb energy and then convert it into a form that strengthens the energy fields of living systems. I decided to bring one on the next visit to place directly on my dad's body to speed his healing.

After a couple of hours our shift was up.
Dad was sleeping so we quietly left the hospital room. My mind was racing at an incredible speed, thinking of things we could do that would help dad without drawing unwanted scrutiny from the doctors and staff.

To be continued....

Posted by ralph at 08:34 AM | Permalink

Man alive could I ever use some sleep.
After changing my dad's diapers four times last night, I could definitely use a nap. But, that is not on the agenda for today. After my dad woke up, I helped him get on the transfer table in the tub so I could give him a nice long shower. That is still one of the great pleasures of life.

After feeding him a quarter of a sandwich...he never is hungry and does not eat often so looks like a poster child for the Nazi death camps. All the medications make it almost impossible to get his weight back up. He just refuses to eat if he is not hungry. It is so frustrating to see him waste away.

Focusing on the good things around you can really help your attitude.
I did take dad out into the beautiful San Diego afternoon with the blue sky, radiant sun, glorious flowers and of course I put on his favorite classical music. He wanted to see his beloved orchids one more time.

Being with the people you love and that love you is one of life's greatest joys and sorrows.
Just sitting there with him, perhaps one of the last times brought tears to my eyes. He was so tired I had to put him back to bed after a few short minutes.

I just pray the aneurysm does not burst before the doctors appointment on Wednesday.
Sometimes it feels like he is a goner if the aneurysm bursts or he goes for the surgery. It is so frustrating to feel powerless. "Why do people have to get old and sick anyway? I know...it is a part of God's plan.

With a lack of sleep, the frustration levels are mounting.
Changing diapers all the time really gets to you after a while. Now I realize just how much my wife puts up with while I am working out in the tool shed in the small amount of space I share with all my dad's tools.

The last couple of years have been ones for the trials and tribulations record books for so many people all over the world.
Our suffering seems miniscule compared to what many others are going through. I feel it is important to be grateful for whatever is going on in your life because there are always so many others who have it much worse.

Life can be tough sometimes and you wonder if you can take even one more drop of adversity, but God always says He will provide the strength we need if we go to Him in prayer.
Janet is down in LA to see her mom for one last time before the agressive cancer permanetly damages her kidneys, liver and pancreas. We believe her time is near.

I really appreciate all your prayers.
If you need prayers also, please let me know and I will ad you to my prayer list. When this part of our lives is over, I intend to have an In Search Of Heroes interveiws section just for those who take and took care of sick people in their families. They are not only heroes but saints!

"For the Lord sees not as a man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Wow! Taking care of someone that is sick in your family really is a heart expander. The more you have to sacrifice your personal desires, the greater your love becomes for the person you are taking care of.

Posted by ralph at 01:55 PM | Permalink

Does my dad know something I don't?
When we went to church today, I asked everyone to pray for my dad. He will be going in for an angiogram on Wednesday. The docotors decided that his coumadin levels were to high to operate. He would have bled to death if they had operated on Wednesday.

Having dad a home with us during Thanksgiving was a great joy. We took some special family photos, and may be the last that we ever take with dad in them. It is almost like a sword of Damocles hanging above all of our heads. No one wants dad to have the invasive surgery, to have a stent placed into the area where the aneurysm is threatening to break through.

The question arises, "What are we going to do?" We know that the angiogram could potentially prove fatal. Also, if the doctors place the stent into the artery that is weakened, that could be fatal. If we don't do anything, the aneurysm could burst and that would be fatal.

Sometimes you wonder what is the best thing to do. We are bound and determined to let the dad decide what it is that he wants to do, since it is his life. He made the decision the other night, while crying, that he wants to go ahead with the procedure. He does not want anyone else to have the burden of making this life and death decision.

Fear is our constant companion. We pray that dad will survive the angiogram and also the surgery. We appreciate your prayers. This next week will definitely tell the tale.

If my family pops into your mind in the next week, please think positive thoughts and say a prayer for my dad. I appreciate your concern and compassion. Your prayers and positive thoughts have a powerful impact on my ability to carry on.

Posted by ralph at 12:44 PM | Permalink

This is the story of when we first arrived in San Diego immediately after my dad's stroke.

Tears flood down our cheeks, falling onto the rumpled hospital bed sheets, as we see the devastating damage caused by a blood clot that travels to the brain and stops the precious blood flow.
If this terrible event has also traumatized your family, you can relate to the agony, anger, fear and frustration. Will your loved one survive, be crippled mentally and physically for life or other worse case scenarios? What could they have done differently to avoid this devastating, quality of life threatening event? What should you do now to give them every opportunity to regain a high level of health and vitality?

As we stand by my dad's bedside, the completely slack left side of the body is startling.
It is as if two completely different people live in one body. The amazing way the right brain hemisphere controls the left side of the body and the left brain hemisphere controls the right side is so clearly apparent when you see one or the other side paralyzed.

You wonder why only one side of the body seems to be paralyzed?
My dad's blockage occurred in the right hemisphere of his brain so his left side is most effected. The right hemisphere is responsible for emotions, creativity, orientation in space, intuition, spontaneity and the control of the life support systems of the body. We wonder just how his brain and body will function as he begins to heal.

Often, you don't have a clue which side is the dominant brain hemisphere until a stoke occurs.
My dad is one of the kindest, most gentle, giving and caring people I have ever met. He always went out of his way to help others, to brighten their lives with a gorgeous orchid plant, assistance with building a structure or repairing an item and secret financial assistance. He was always thinking about others. Dad treated mom, a southern belle, like she was a queen, a very high maintenance woman. Dad served her hand and foot.

The very strange thing about dad is that he had incredible left brain mental powers.
His logic and ability to solve problems was astounding. His profession an an electrical engineer showed extreme abilities requiring math and language. It seems he was a rare whole brain thinker that used both sides of his brain. In his later years, after retiring at 55, his right brain, emotional side exerted its dominance. Thus the paralysis on the left side and stroke in the right brain hemisphere.

A higher number of individuals suffer a stroke in their left brain hemisphere that controls the right side of their body.
Usually, most people suffer a stroke in the left hemisphere of the brain, the side that is concerned with logic, math, language, competition, judgment and time. This is the hemisphere that must focus on the events around us.

One of the biggest challenges in life is to survive in a physically, financially and intellectually competitive world.
Since most people consequently use their right side and left brain, this is the side that goes slack after a stroke. The victim cannot speak, the words are often garbled. Their logic is skewed. The cannot solve the simplest math problem. Often, the become lethargic and apathetic...with their competitive nature compromised.

As we place our hands on his injured body, a prayer spontaneously wings its way to heaven.
"Dear God, please heal my dad and save him from the horrible side effects of the stoke. If it is your will, allow us at least a few more years with this very special servant of yours. Give us the opportunity to give back to him a fraction of the love he has given others over his lifetime. It will be a real joy to minister to him in gratitude for the way he spread joy and love through his service to humanity in so many small ways."

Our time with dad is short since visiting hours are over.
Janet and I are sobered by the condition of my dad. We wonder what will happen in the days to come. He is paralyzed on his left-side. He cannot open his eyes or swallow. There is blood in his urine. All of these conditions are dangerous and severely quality of life impacting. Only time will tell.

The United States has one of the best crisis medical care programs in the world.
Now don't get me wrong. I admire and respect the doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who work diligently in the conventional medical healthcare system. I am grateful for their tender care of my dad and other victims of disease and injury. Most of the individuals involved are kind and caring. They adhere to a high degree of professionalism. They work hard to keep the patients alive. Their goal is to save lives in difficult situations.

The "Catch 22" is that Medicare and insurance companies are serious about cutting their costs, often at the expense of the patients.
They do want to get the patients better as fast as possible to maximize their financial bottom line. Financial pressures created by insurance companies, motivate the hospital staffs to get the patients to improve quickly. The intensive care costs are astronomical and only going through the roof.

Our entire family wonders whether dad will get adequate care at the hospital.
Two months ago when my mom had pneumonia and congestive heart failure we were astounded at how much the staff at the hospital had been decimated by budget cuts. Denise, my dad and I took shifts through out the visiting hours to care for my mom and monitor what was being done to her during her stay. We constantly had to track down the overworked professionals to motivate them to give mom the therapies see desperately needed.

There is a huge responsibility on the part of family members to monitor the test and therapies that are administered to their loved ones.
My dad was a good steward of his money. He realized the value of insuring his family for the medical costs that are for most an inevitable part of the living and dying process. He was fully insured by Medicare and supplemental insurances that paid for just about every test, therapy and treatment.

WARNING: If your loved one is fully insured, the hospital wants the doctors to administer just about every expensive test and treatment in their arsenal.
Your loved one is the "Golden Goose" that lays the golden eggs. It is not constructive to be cynical at this stage of the game, but some one has to make up for all the other patients that must be treated for free because they don't have insurance.

WATCH and ASK QUESTIONS about everything that is being done or proposed by the medical staff!!!!!!
Many tests and treatments may have no bearing on the condition of your family member. Some of the tests and treatments may be life threatening by themselves. You must be vigilant. There is a frightening statistic of how many patients die in the hospitals as a result of mistakes made by well-meaning healthcare professionals who are tired and overworked.

The fact is that everyone makes mistakes in every profession...in the medical profession the consequences can result in life or death!
How many mistakes do you make in one day? What are the consequences? Some experts say that the difference between successful and non-successful individuals is only 2% better decisions. If we are correct in our decisions 51% of the time, then that gives the extra edge for success. This is a frightening scenario in medicine.

Mom was so stubborn she came down with pneumonia and the problem was compounded by the treatment.
In the case of my mom, she is a die hard swimmer at the age of 87. She insisted my dad take her to the "Mission Beach Plunge" where the management was gradually decreasing the temperature of the water to save money. My dad refused to swim but my mom persevered.

Unknown to her doctor, she had contracted pneumonia.
When she went to her doctor for her semi-annual checkup, her blood pressure and heart were quite elevated. Without going through a chest X-ray, it would have been difficult to diagnose the true problem. The doctor, according to conventional medical wisdom and Medicare restrictions, prescribed medications that forced the blood pressure and heart rate lower.

The treatments available for our senior citizens through Medicare is pathetic compared to those available with supplementary insurances.
Medicare regulations handcuff the doctors and prevent them from providing the best medical care for senior citizens. Doctors cannot order the tests they want for their patients. Medicare often pays only a fraction of what the doctors receive from most insurance companies for the same tests or therapy.

The "Kennedy-Kassebaum Act" of 1996 is seriously flawed and destroyed the opportunity for doctors to provide adequate healthcare for our senior citizens.
Senators Kennedy and Kassebaum and the rest of congress should be ashamed of how they treat the doctors and their Medicare patients. This damaged legislation forces doctors to justify every test to Medicare.

The restrictions for the doctors are incredible.
If any mistakes are made by the employees or doctor with the paperwork, intentional or unintentional, the doctor and employees could loose everything. They could go to jail.

Is it no wonder with the sky-rocketing costs of medical insurance for doctors and ridiculously low payments from Medicare that doctors are throwing in the towel.
The bureaucrats in Washington have won...making the administration of healthcare so complicated, paperwork expensive and compensation reduced that doctors and hospitals go bankrupt. In most cases, treating Medicare patients is a losing proposition for the doctors.

Doctors are severely restricted on the tests and treatments they can give to their Medicare patients.
In most cases, the patients could not receive better health care even if they were willing to pay for it out of their own pockets. The Medicare regulations have become so ridiculous, receiving good medical care for seniors has become an absurd farce. If doctors don't have regular insurance and cash customers, they are doomed in most cases for bankruptcy.

The MEDICARE SYSTEM IS BROKEN and something needs to be done to fix it!
"For evil to triumph all it takes is for good men and women to do nothing." It is time for Babyboomers to rise up and become heroes and heroines! We need to fix the Medicare and Healthcare systems for our beloved parents. And, selfishly for ourselves!

Most of us will be Medicare patients before we know it.
If we don't do something in the near future, we too will receive the same crappy care as our parents. We will become huge burdens on the lives of our children and grandkids.

Within two days, the artificially lowered blood pressure and heart rate resulted in a lack of oxygen being delivered to the brain and other important organs.
Mom could not breathe hard enough to get the oxygen she needed so in the middle of the night there was a 911 call. The ambulance magically appeared and it was off to the hospital with lights blazing and sirens wailing. The treatment contributed to the breakdown of her entire system. The pneumonia in the lungs that had originally cut down on the oxygen levels in her blood, had caused the blood pressure and heart rate to elevate, to deliver the needed oxygen to her tissues.

Trying to fit a square peg into a round hole may not be the best strategy when it comes to health!
When mom showed up at the hospital, she received a witches brew of powerful drugs. The goal was to stabilize her system. Unfortunately, many of the drugs were used to counteract the side-effects of the other drugs, creating even more life-threatening swings in her blood sugar levels.

Mom did not get any sleep that night.
She spent a lot of time in the emergency ward waiting to see a doctor and get a chest X-ray. When she finally arrived in a semi-private room, the little lady in the bed next to her kept banging her table all night yelling, "I am thirsty! I'm hungry!" Even though food and water were right on her bedstand, she could not satisfy her thirst or hunger. The staff had failed to ready her chart and see that she was blind.

The next morning mom was exhausted and incoherent.
Her frail body was struggling to deal with all the powerful chemicals and lack of sleep. When we showed up at the hospital we were terrified. The nurses were still trying to balance out the blood chemistry and stabilize her low blood sugar. She had been unable to eat anything for 24 hours. Also the food was absolutely unpalatable and literally indigestible.

The doctors wanted to do a dye and stress test that shocks the heart to see if mom needed a stint.
What in the world are they talking about? Recent statistics from long term studies show that the people who received stints fared worse than those who did not have to go through this dangerous procedures. Why would they want to shock my moms heart so they can check to see if there is heart blockage? She is 87 years old and in for pneumonia. She and all of us refused the test. Would you put your mom through this dangerous test?

In this situation, getting angry at the hospital staff was a huge mistake.
My mom was in a bad way and getting furious at the staff was not a wise decision. It was obvious the nurses and doctors were doing the best the could with limited resources. They each were Heroes for working in an environment filled with stress, contagious diseases and families and patients who were extremely upset and in pain, both physical and emotional.

Eventually, mom escaped from the hospital still alive.
When mom started to improve we were thankful she was released. We appreciate the efforts of the health professionals at the hospital. They were doing the best they could in the situation they were placed by forces beyond their control.

One secret to getting the best care possible is kind words, broad smiles and BIG Bribes!
"It is easier to get people to help you if you are kind, encouraging and offer lots of praise for a job well done. Passing out $20 bills and boxes of "Sees" chocolates encourages nurses and therapists to want to provide your loved one with their best efforts.

Another big secret is learn the names of your care givers.
The sweetest sound in any language is the name of the individual you are speaking to in a kind compassionate voice. LEARN the names of each person and what they do. Ask them questions about their lives and families. If you take the time to make them friends and confidants, they will immediately become a part of your extended family. They will begin to see your lived one as a part of their family and treat them accordingly.

Will the alternative medicine therapies, used world-wide to minimize the harmful effects of a stroke, be made available to our family?
That is a huge question. After contacting many of the doctors in the Alternative Medicine Hall Of Fame, their very real concern for my dad and our family is touching.

Each recommended the therapy given in China by doctors within 24 hours of the stoke.
The doctors in China focus on getting people better as fast as possible. Their medical system is socialized so the focus is on keeping citizens healthy. Their goal is to cure individuals who suffer quality of life threatening diseases as fast as possible.

In China, there is no financial incentive for prolonging illness.
The doctors do not want to prolonging illness through inaction or ignorance of the therapies that are most effective. They immediately used the best therapies that work the fastest. In most cases, these therapies are very inexpensive.

The Chinese doctors, within 24 hours of the stoke or heart attack, give the patient an intravenous solution of Nattokinase or Lumbrokinase.
These special enzymes are dripped directly into the circulatory system to help dissolve any blood clots and prevent new ones from forming. The HealthyDoctors told me this was still an excellent therapy anytime within the first few weeks of the event.

One gave her dad homeopathic remedies under his tongue when he had his stroke 17 years ago.
As her mom and dad's health was failing, she cared for them at home while conducting her medical practice. When he suffered a massive stroke she gave him two Homeopathics: Natrum Muraticum and Arnica to minimize cellular damage and speed the healing process. She administered doses every 15 minutes for 2 hours and then every hour for 24 hours. After the first day, she administered the remedies every 2-3 hours for the next couple of days. When he had a severe headache, she gave him Belladonna.

Ask your doctors if they are open to Homeopathic medicines that have minimal or no adverse side effects.
If you can find a doctor trained in Homeopathic medicine, ask that they participate in the treatment of your loved ones. Homeopathic remedies have been used for centuries, are effective in helping the body heal and are very inexpensive. Before the pharmaceutical companies started funding the medical schools in the early part of the 1900s, all doctors were trained in Homeopathic medicine. Homeopathics are used world-wide to treat patients very effectively for a wide range of symptoms. See my report on Homeopathics in the alternative health articles on HealthyDoctors.com.

Other suggestions by the Doctors in the HealthyDoctors Alternative Medicine Hall Of Fame were consistent.
The other recommendations included:
1. Hyperbaric oxygen pushed into the cells to help them heal. There are special pressurized chambers available, perhaps at your hospital for wound healing. The more oxygen you can get into the cells, the faster the body heals.
2. As many anti-oxidants as possible like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and essential fats to counter the massive number of free radicals caused by lack of oxygen and the toxicity of dead and dying cells.
3. Intravenous chelation is very effective in removing lead from the body, one of the most destructive metals in our environment. The lead levels in our cells is astronomical, compared to those living before the Industrial Revolution. The lead from the leaded gasoline we used for so many years is still with us. It is everywhere.
4. CoQ10 in 100 milligram doses was a favorite. It seems this enzyme is crucial to the correct functioning of the cells.
5. Also recommended was an intravenous solution of DMSO. This is a solvent that appears to have unique healing qualities. This therapy might be available in states where the "Medical Freedom" act has been passed.
6. Another suggestions was "Corvalen," a product that contains Ribose, a natural occurring 5-carbon sugar, that has shown promise as a oral supplement for use in cardiovascular disease. Ribose aids in the production of high-energy phosphates, mainly adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP molecules are necessary to provide the integrity and function of every cell in our bodies.

Unfortunately, my dad is on Medicare and the hospital does not provide any unproven therapies.
Sometimes you want to scream at the conventional medical system including doctors, hospitals, Medicare and insurance companies, "WAKE UP! Don't your realize that if you used effective therapies that have proven to be successful around the world, the patients would get better faster. The cost of treatment would be minimized. The devastation of human lives would be dramatically lessened. The huge costs involved in patients who have experienced quality of life threatening diseases would decrease. Why don't you promote preventive and alternative medicine that minimizes everyone's chances of experiencing a severe disease?"

If only there were alternative medicine doctors involved in the therapy of my dad!
All the doctors in the Alternative Medicine Hall Of Fame practice medicine in other parts of the country. As long as dad cannot swallow and is paralyzed on his left side, he is trapped in the rehabilitation process at the present time.

There are only a few things we can do to speed dad's healing within the confines of the hospital.

To be continued...

Posted by ralph at 11:32 AM | Permalink

Life can be so unpredictable! When you're taking care of people that are sick in your family, every day is a new adventure. You don't know whether they will be alive or dead when you go in the morning to check and see how they are doing.

Sometimes, from a selfish perspective, you wish that everything would finally come to a conclusion. Then you stop thinking about yourself and start thinking about the others in your life that God has put there for you to take care of.

If you are taking care of someone in your family that is sick or dying. I know that you probably experience the same doubts, frustrations, anger and fears. Sometimes you get angry. Other times, you're frustrated. Then you wonder if you are doing a good job. Then you fear they will die today. You probably wish that you had your old life, back before your family members became ill.

Isn't it interesting how this becomes almost a moment to moment battle within your own mind. The only way that I can get through all this is through prayer and choosing to think positive thoughts. The prayers of others have definitely been an uplifting event in my life. At this point in time when both my dad and Janet's mom are near death, you don't know whether to be happy or sad...sometimes it is both almost instantaneously.

You realize that if they do pass from this world to the next, they will go straight to heaven because of the difficulty of their lives and their special relationship with Jesus Christ. You feel that you would be overjoyed at the end of their suffering and the beginning of their glorified bodies. But, you wonder if this is just your own selfishness, wishing for a conclusion to your commitment to help take care of your loved ones.

I want to thank all the people that are continuing to send me e-mails lifting my dad and my family up in prayer. You really see the goodness of people in your life most powerfully when you are having difficult times. I know that no one really wants to have to go through trials and tribulations, but it helps you become a better person and increases your trust in God.

Below is the second entry into my blog concerning my dad's illness
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"The Terrible Realization That One Of the Greatest Heroes In Your Life Hovers Between Life and Death Ripped My Heart To Shreds" by Ralph Zuranski

This is the story of the first part of our trip to San Diego included in the blog posted on May 31 that is now archived. Including it with this first posting in June makes it easier for you to share our entire experience.

The first day we drove for 14 hours.
Janet was so tired she was almost comatose. I was pumped up and just wanted to get to my parent's house. My dad and mom needed our help.

When Janet started putting a towel over her head and mumbling in her sleep, it was time to get a hotel.
She was twisted into a pretzel, having to share her space with the overflow of items that would not fit in the trunk or back seat. It was time to stop at the very next exit that featured motels or hotels.

What would be the best choice, "Motel West" or "Motel East?"
These are strange options when there is only one hotel visible. I decided to try "Motel West." Certainly it would offer more choices. As I took the turnoff, the "Twilight Zone" arrived suddenly.

The sign had lied.
There were not motels. We continued to drive east on a deserted road. Was this a mistake? Were we insane...headed for the "Bates Motel." Eventually "Motel East" transformed into "Motel West." We drove by three small motels out of the 50s, then were back at the HWY 10. I made a U-turn. We pulled into the one that looked less seedy than the rest.

"Can we make a deal?"
The hotel manager was obviously from India. At 11 PM, in the middle of nowhere, there was some bargaining power was on my side. "How much for a non-smoking room with double beds?" He answered, "$39.95." "How about a deal? Do you accept AARP, AAMCO, AAA or have a special for people over 55? (What's the deal with all the As in these organizations?") He said, "How about $29.99?" "Okay," I agreed.

The motel manager had just dropped his price to the same as the other two competing motels.
He knew his competitors' prices and that if he did not give me the going rate, we were on to the next motel. My credit card accepted one more charge in the long procession of gas, food and treats.

At the room, I proceeded to unload all our valuable possessions as Janet prepared for restful slumber.
Actually Janet was already asleep and just sleep walking, mumbling about how insensitive I was because of not stopping sooner. After 20 minutes there was barely enough room in the rooms to get into bed. No matter, Janet and I were so tired, we fell into bed in a state of exhausted oblivion.

Oh man, now it was time to pack all that stuff back into the car again.
You guessed it. "Yes!," Janet said. "You wanted to unload the car, now load it back up again while I make myself pretty." "Okay," I muttered under my breath, hoping she would not hear my reply. After another 30 minutes...it took longer to reload it than unload it for some reason...we were ready to go.

If only there was a "Starbucks" in the general vicinity, my day would be saved, as my caffeine addiction would be satisfied.
But, wishful thinking again. After all, what was I thinking? We were in the middle of nowhere.

Finally, we arrived in Tucson, civilization and "Starbucks" I hoped.
Well, no "Starbucks," but we did find a coffee house. My withdrawal symptoms were reaching extreme levels of discomfort. Before the car even stopped, I was out the door into the shop begging for a "cup of Joe"...the strongest they had available. The first sip was bliss, my shattered nerves shouting for joy.

The beautiful girls gave us directions to a "Cracker Barrel" where the breakfast was delicious.
Then it was back to the coffee shop for a refill. They even gave me a free sample of a "cherry, whipped cream, chocolate ice something or other." While sipping the unexpected treat, the gorgeous blond behind the counter begged us to take her to San Diego. "Sorry, Janet said, "Our car is too packed. You could not fit anything else in even if you had a shoe horn."

A wild thought suddenly coursed through my mind.
"You could lie spread eagle on the hood, but it would be a real bad hair day." Being married for 8 years, the pain of experience of stupid comments forced me to keep this thought secret. It was only another macho, sex-driven, horney guy impulse that seemed to afflict men like a disease 24 hours a day.

On the way out the door, I innocently asked another stupid question.
"Hey did that cherry thing have any caffeine in it?" The girls just laughed. "That little treat was equivalent to two shots of espresso."

Yikes! With the previous cup of strong coffee, the treat and my current coffee reload, my mouth would be moving spontaneously the rest of the 8 hour trip.
Janet would have to keep saying, "Shut up! Stop talking. You are drinking way too much coffee. You will be a "Monkey Man" all the way to San Diego." How true...Caffeine bliss to the max.

The hardest thing in the world is to leave you genetic family who needs your help.
A cloud of sorrow floats over our car. We almost feel just like the little character in the comic strip "Little Abner," that had a floating black cloud over his head that followed him everywhere...one disaster after another.

We are shell shocked after experiencing two catastrophic health related events in our family in less than sixty days.
It is natural to whine and complain and say, "Why did this happen to our family? Why can't others take care of them? Why do we have to radically change our lives to take an active part in helping my mom and dad?

Of course, these are "woe is me," self-centered and selfish questions that stream through most mind at times like this as the battle on what to do is waged between the selfish and selfless parts of our nature.
No one likes change. Moving across the country to a new state is an incredible expenditure of time, energy and money. Changing snail mail and email addresses, home and cell phone numbers is difficult and time consuming. Finding new internet consulting clients in San Diego is one more gigantic challenge.

The least I could do is love them with all my heart.
It is important to help them in every way possible. This I believe is the least that God's expects of us.

Few realize how huge chunks of time are gobbled up by life threatening incidents.
Sitting by their bedside, hoping against hope that your loved ones will survive is exhausting and time consuming. You pray that by the grace of God they will recover completely.

This a tense and stressful time!
Everyone is under extreme emotional and physical pressure. There is little rest, especially when talking about a full night of peaceful sleep. What is that anyway....a dream of the past? The "What Ifs" plague your mind.

Moving into a small space with two other people, even if they are your parents, takes a tremendous amount of sensitivity and caring.
It is challenging to move back into your parents house without adversely affecting their life style, privacy and living space. We live in a one bedroom apartment. Even that space is too small for all of our possessions.

Working from home is challenging to say the least.
Business stuff is scattered everywhere. Moving personal and business lives into a small room with a mini closet will test organizational skill to the max. Our only hope is the workshop out in back or a "Rent-a-Space" to hold the overflow.

Janet could not believe El Centro is close to 25 feet below sea level.
As we passed the famous water tank that shows "sea level" with a prominent mark on its side, we consider our thoughts of being overwhelmed...almost like downing, crushed by the events of life...pushed down into the depths of sorrow by a tidal wave of difficult decisions caused by a series of unfortunate events. We were desperately trying to keep our heads above waves of reality, constantly pounding on our hearts, shattering our hopes and dreams, altering our lives for ever.

Thank God for caffeine.
The girls at the coffee shop were not kidding. The dosage of caffeine in my system must have approached 8 on the Richter scale. My hands were gripping the steering wheel so hard the knuckles were turning white. My lips moved in a ceaseless flow of nervous chatter.

Frightening questions streamed through my mind, in a flood of emotion as I fought to keep tears from streaming down my cheeks.
I just did not know how to calm my heart and overcome my fears about my dad. Would he live or die? Would he be an invalid for the rest of his days? Would he suffer from intolerable pain? Would he need 24-hour care? What was the health of their finances?

The scenery in Alpine was gorgeous.
As our car popped up over the mountain range and entered Alpine, the beauty was breathtaking. For a few moments, I meditated on God's blessings, mercy and goodness. There is always a silver lining in the darkest of clouds...something good that comes out of the worst tragedy.

The glorious greenery, spared from the devastating fires radiated emerald highlights.
The contrast between the dead, burned areas was striking. Suddenly, a ray of hope flooded my soul. A strange calm settled over my soul. The peace of God that goes beyond understanding suddenly permeated my being.

The contrast of the the brightness of the sun's rays illuminating the dead, burned areas and the glorious, living trees became a powerful lesson in our lives.
Janet and I needed hope to calm our fears. As I mentioned my insight to Janet, we both cried.

Over the last four years so much sorrow had crushed our hopes and dreams.
Janet fractured her spine on Thanksgiving weekend of November of 2001. Her car was broadsided by another driver, totaling the car. She was bed ridden for almost 2 months. Then Janet's beloved Dr. Robert Winslow, the alternative medicine doctor she worked for close to 15 years, suffered a crippling stroke in March of 2002. He was the father she never had. (Dr. Winslow was the first doctor inducted into the Alternative Medicine Hall Of Fame.) Without his leadership the business died a slow death. The final burial was in May of 2004.

Janet's daughter-in-law experienced two collapsed lungs over a 6 month period.
During these last two years, Janet cried daily for the loved ones in her life. Our lives were filled with sorrow and tragedy. Prayer and trusting in the goodness and love of God were the only things that kept us going.

Now, with the tragedies striking my family, this revelation of God's marvelous plan, calmed our fears and encouraged our hearts.
We felt at peace after so much suffering. Our hands crept toward each other until they were clasped in intimate spiritual union. With God's help and grace we knew we could handle anything that would come our way.

The traffic flowing out of San Diego in a steady stream was incredible...bumper-to-bumper, as residents raced at a standstill to begin their Memorial Day holiday.
Almost like lemmings, racing down a commonly followed path, the cars crept along at a snails pace, hauling trailers, dune buggies, boats, etc. The gas consumption was awesome.

I could almost see the gas gauges creep toward empty, especially on the SUVs and large trucks with the mega-powered, super-charged engines.
"Now that has to hurt," I thought as I passed a gas station, shocked by the price of gas. $2.50 a gallon was outrageous. Even in Dallas, the price was only $1.70 a gallon. "What was this world coming to?"

Home sweet home.
Few lucky individuals have the opportunity to live in the house they grew up in. My mom and dad still lived in the same little house in Ocean Beach. After almost 52 years, it was still as pristine as the day it was constructed.

My dad and mom are both nurtures...born with green thumbs.
The number of plants in glorious living color covering every square inch of soil was phenomenal. I suddenly wondered what would happen to all these radiant, happy plants. I managed to kill every plant in my life by either over-watering, under-watering or pure neglect. Janet was not much better.

No one was home so I fears skyrocketed.
As we opened, a foreboding silence penetrated our consciousness. Where was mom? How was dad? We raced to unload the car so we could drive to the hospital to see dad. We prayed he was still alive.

The living room looked like a cyclone hit.
The contents of the car were strewn everywhere. It was hard to believe so much stuff could be transported in a 1998 Camry. Anxiety filled our minds. No one's cell phone produced a live person. What were we to do?

The answer suddenly appeared!
Denise, my younger sister drove up to the curb and deposited mom at our feet. Everyone hugged as tears rolled down our faces. "How is dad doing?" was the big question. Mom said, "He seems to be doing better but cannot swallow, move his left arm and leg or open his eyes." Wow, that did not sound very encouraging. I guess he was a lot worse, right after the stoke when death was a frightening possibility.

The race to the hospital to see my dad broke the speed limits.
We were anxious to see dad, hold his hand and give him a kiss on the cheek. As we entered the hospital, I had transposed the last two numbers of his room. Instead of 814 it had become 841. As we raced down the halls, looking for the correct room, we came up blank. Janet, the faithful and helpful spouse, remembered that the room was 814. With her help we found the correct room.

In our wildest imaginations, we were not prepared for the grim sight that met our hopeful eyes.
My dad was a slight reflection of his former self. Pain and paralysis warped his gentle features. Tubes streamed from his body as he struggled to breathe. The blood trickled from his nose, around the feeding tube taped in place. A machine trickled liquid nutrients into his emaciated body. A clear bag collected the dark urine, mingled with blood, from the irritation caused by the catheter. Other tubes dangled from his body, winding their way to different beeping and blinking machines.

Silent tears poured down our cheeks.
To be continued...

Posted by ralph at 05:28 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Ralph Zuranski:  What are the qualities and attributes of a hero?

Ted Nicholas:  I think one of the things, that every hero that I've ever known has, is the terrific ability to communicate their ideas and their values.  The late Miss Rand had those qualities in great abundance.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, did you believe that eventually your dreams would become reality?

Ted Nicholas: Yes, I did.  I remember speaking about my early dreams with my parents that I wanted to start a chain of retail shops, which I achieved.  I wanted to ultimately become, somehow or other, a best selling author.  I pursued both of those dreams and they came true.  During my late teen years and my early twenties, I was a great "letter to the editor writer." 

I enjoyed writing letters to the editor because I liked expressing my ideas on world and local issues and the like. I've seen the impact of my work.  You know, it's interesting.  People that are hearing and watching this interview should be aware of the fact that, and it's a beautiful fact and has helped me maintain my optimism and that is, that each person listening to us can make a huge difference. 

A lot of people feel that well, who am I.  I'm only one voice. Am I a voice in the wilderness and so forth and that's just not a good or realistic way to look at things.  Each individual has such power over other humans, such potential power. It reminds me of one of my favorite movies, "It's a Wonderful Life" with James Stewart.  The whole movie was dedicated, if you recall, to that whole concept of how one individual's life made such a difference.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, in most people's lives, especially in the relationship between men and women, has your significant other, Bethany, had a big influence in your life?

Ted: She has had an enormous influence in my life.  She reminds me, from a value and integrity standpoint, of another hero, who was my grandmother.  Bethany is closest to my grandmother in character more than anyone that I have ever known and not in looks, of course, but in character.  She is a person who is tremendously loyal.  I am a great admirer of people who are loyal to people that they respect. 

She is so loyal to me.  She would, in effect, take a bullet, which I would of course never ask her to do. But she would do anything for me, to help me and just help me advance my work. She is not only a beautiful women physically, but she has such tremendous integrity that it comes out of every pore.

So, she has been a great influence.  In fact, we are together almost twenty-four hours a day.  To be honest, before I met her and we've been together for eighteen years, I didn't think it was possible to be in anyone's company for that long. Because I love people that I love, and like to be in their company, but at the same time, I enjoy my solitude and I like to, as you know, I write a lot of things and of course I need peace and quiet. 

But Bethany is the type of person that she can be right next to me at the next desk or in the next room and she knows when  I'm concentrating and she senses that it's time for a little peace and quiet and gives me the peace and quiet when I need it.  So, it's her integrity, her loyalty, her contribution. 

She's also the best editor that I've ever worked with, which is such a bonus because it's wonderful to be able to write things, you know and writers are not the best editors, and she can look at what I've done and make good suggestions and help with the grammatical portion of it and all of those very important things. 

She may even make suggestions at times on the whole sales message that I'm trying to put forth.  She has just been invaluable to me and then her support and all at the seminars.  She helps prepare all of my materials.  I prepare different materials for every single seminar.  No seminar is exactly the same, as you know Ralph.  Because questions bring out different material and I just like adding new material all the time in my seminars. I state things in a little different way at each seminar.  So, she's been a tremendous contributor in my work.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted Nicholas, do you have the courage to pursue new ideas?

Ted Nicholas: Yes, I do.  I've found that I'm a big believer in the concept of just going forward or a "ready, fire, aim" kind of approach to life.  So when I have an idea I think it through, and I write it down. I have my own technique. The old "Ben Franklin Technique" where I write down the pluses and minuses of every major idea that I pursue, and when there is an overwhelming amount of plusses and the negatives that I can think of, or the minuses that I can think of are not very big monsters, I do like to go forward right at that point.

Ralph Zuranski: Mr. Nicholas, did you ever create a secret hero in your mind that helped you deal with life's difficulties?

Ted Nicholas: First of all, please call me Ted.

Ralph Zuranski: Okay, I will.  Thank you.

Ted Nicholas: A secret hero, my hero, greatest hero, the greatest influence of my life was the late author, Ayan Rand, who wrote "Then Shrugged the Fountain Head." She has been my secret hero because she is a person of great integrity and she influenced millions of people.  As a matter of fact, I think her books are still, next to the Bible, the most influential book. For example, they are used by advanced students at universities.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, I've attended four of your seminars and at each of the seminars, you’ve talked about entrepreneurs being your heroes.  Could you talk a little bit about that subject?

Ted Nicholas: Of course.  The entrepreneurs are heroes. It's not widely known, I'm afraid.  I wish it were. That entrepreneurs are heroes.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, were you willing to experience discomfort in the pursuit of your dream?

Ted Nicholas: Absolutely.  I learned a long time ago that delayed gratification is necessary for every human being to achieve a lot.  For every hero that I've ever known, they have patience and willingness. They have a kind of an impatient patience, if you will.  I mean, if you ask me if I'm more patient or impatient, I would say that I'm more impatient, but yet there's kind of a deep patience in that I'm willing to keep trying and trying until I get the result that I want.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, do readily forgive those who upset, offend and oppose you?

Ted Nicholas: That's a very good question.  I do now much more so than I ever did before.  I spent a good part of my life not forgiving people who had hurt me, both in my family and people that I interacted with through life, and I found out that that's just such a negative waste of energy and what I use are daily affirmations.

Because words, of all kinds, not only that you write and things that you hear influence you, but words that you say to yourself are a tremendous influence to your subconscious, which is even more powerful than your conscious mind.  So, one of my affirmations is, "I forgive the people that have hurt me in the past.  I presently forgive them for all of these things that they've done to me and for me."

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, what is your perspective on goodness, ethics, and moral behavior.

Ted Nicholas: Well again, integrity. It keeps coming to mind in the direction of these questions, which I really like.  I think these questions are really good.  To me, I think of an individual who exudes love for other human beings. Honesty, it just comes out of every pore and the willingness to help and to understand something I think few people understand. I spent a good part of my life fully integrating and understanding this and that's the difference between what I call positive selfishness and negative selfishness. 

A lot of people confuse the two in their thinking and how they deal with people. I think what we all can't wait to get away from are individuals who are negatively selfish, who in effect, are asking us to sacrifice ourselves for their interests.  For example, selling products or services to us when they have no concern for us, the end consumer, but they have concern for their interests.  That's negative selfishness and I'm totally opposed to that. 

On the other side of that coin and totally opposite is the person who is positively selfish, who is willing to work hard to create a product or service that is much more valuable to humanity and much more valuable to their customer than the cost or price. 

In fact, what I try to do in my own life is have all of my information products, books, tapes, and seminars to be at least ten times and just what I've seen in the real world, a hundred times or more valuable to my protégés or students or customers than whatever they invest in the products.  To me, those are parts to the question that you just asked me.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, how do people actually become heroes?

Ted Nicholas: Well, I think you become a hero through mastering something, mastering the field that turns you on, the field in which you have passion.  To be a hero is not easy, but it well worth the effort.  A lot of people are looking for the easy way, the lazy way, and the shortcut way instead of realizing that there are no shortcuts in life.  You have to pay the price; you have to have self-discipline.  You have to do all these things. 

When I say that, I hasten to add, that self-discipline, in my opinion, is a highly overrated skill or quality of a human being.  People think that I'm such a great self-disciplined person and I am in many ways.  I am in many ways, but I think the best thing about self-discipline that makes it not so tough, and as a matter of fact remarkably easy, is that good habits in life tend to become good actions which tend to become habits. 

At first, it may be tough to study a certain amount of time each day or practice your skills a certain amount of time and you just keep practicing them until you just get good at what you do.  I, for example, have almost no natural skills in sports, but I have been able to accomplish a lot, to win a lot of tennis trophies and things like this more from just the effort and discipline that I put on myself.  It becomes a habit that then enables you to have the kind of results that you can have.

In writing for example, I don't feel that I was endowed.  I was always able to communicate fairly well, but I think that I've gotten better and better by practicing and by being an individual.  Also in speaking, I don't consider speaking and writing worlds apart as many people seem to think that those are to be.  I think that communication is communication, and I'm a very much of a studier of communication. So I study communication, and I get better at it and it becomes a habit.

So now, Bethany will ask me sometimes, my significant other, she will ask me, "Why are you working so hard? You could have retired a long time ago. Don't you think about slowing down or taking it easy?"  Well frankly, I'm so used to the pace and the kind of habits that I practice every day, part of me is afraid that I will lose some of those skills that I've worked so hard to develop unless I continue to do the things that I do. 

Again, it's such a habit that it's almost impossible to break.  Additionally, I'm an individual that has an addictive personality and I'm afraid to try things like drugs, because I'm afraid I might like them too much and become addicted to them.  So rather than do that, I addict myself, try to addict myself to things that are good for me, such as exercise, such as the kind of diet that I try to follow.  I don't do anything 100%; I think it's dangerous because it makes you an unhappy person. 

I think that ten percent of my diet is whatever I want to have. So, I think that if you develop the habits that are necessary for you to become a master, that's really the secret.

Ralph Zuranski: How does it feel to be recognized as a hero?

Ted Nicholas: It feels fantastic.  One of the things that it took me a long time to learn is the ability to accept a compliment when I feel the compliment may have some truth behind it. I know that what I do and how I do it is not a common attribute in a lot of people; I've worked hard for it.  It's nice to be recognized for those things. 

On the other hand I do it, and while I'm highly compensated, and I'm also a big believer in charity and that's a whole other subject, I'm highly compensated in what I do, which I'm not looking for, for personal spending in my life because long ago that ceased to be a problem, I like being recognized for what I consider the things that I admire in myself. I like it when others, who I respect, recognize it. 

I particularly like recognition as a hero from people who I consider my heroes, like entrepreneurs and others who are working hard to build their lives. So, I enjoy it and I want to keep doing what I'm doing better and better and hopefully be recognized for the rest of my life.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, do you maintain your sense of humor in the face of serious situations?

Ted Nicholas: Well, I like to think that I do.  I think my sense of humor is a lot better when I'm not facing or not dealing with one of the more serious challenges in life. But I think even with a serious challenge, I keep myself whole and that I maintain a sense of humor at that point.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, how are you able to overcome your doubts and fears?

Ted Nicholas: I am able to overcome doubts and fears by just trying and seeing the result.  I work very hard in seeing the result. I have read all of these biographies and autobiographies and they have influenced me; the greatest people in American business in the past, such as John Wannamaker, Milton Hershey, Bernard Gimble, and Henry Ford to name a few. 

I could see that these individuals had had a tremendous amount of setbacks and they somehow maintained their optimism even though they had had these enormous and incredible setbacks and failures.  What I wanted to do, in effect, was arm myself for the disappointments in life on the business side.  I wanted to make myself, in effect, failure-proof and to survive whatever happened to me because I did not come from a wealthy background. 

I came from a very poor background and I knew that I was going to have some setbacks along the way and that I would survive it and be okay.  So, a lot of people who have experienced those kinds of things in their lives have, through books, become some of my heroes. Because of them, I could develop that "failure-proofness" if you will, if there is such a word.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, what place does the power of prayer have in your life?

Ted Nicholas: The power of prayer is an enormous influence.  I pray everyday and I can say with all of the conviction of my soul that every prayer on every major issue that I've had that involved me personally, my family, all the things that I love, every single prayer that I've ever stated, in my subconscious has been answered.  Every single one has been answered.  So, the role of prayer to my mind is extremely powerful.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, do you take a positive view of setbacks, misfortunes, and mistakes?

Ted Nicholas: I would say 99% of the time I do.  I have to keep reminding myself of the principles that I so believe in, that I live my life by.  But, I would say yes.  Almost 100% of the time I do because I learn from my mistakes. I know that a couple of setbacks that I've had in business, like the one I talked to you about earlier where I had to close a business that was once so successful, you know.

I started twenty-one businesses before I started writing and nineteen of them were hugely successful. Two were not.  I know from those experiences that I learned much from my setbacks, what other people call failures, than from all of the other successes put together. So that being the case, I'm in effect insulated much more so than many people are with regard to setbacks and failures. 

I'm also aware statistically, since I've studied biographies all of my life of very successful people, heroes, real heroes in the world, that they've had far more setbacks and failures and successes.  So for instance, a lot of people know me for my copywriting, for my work, for my communication skills and even I, more of my ads do not work or do not close profits for my companies or my client companies. I have a very high batting average, but I don't have a 100% success record anymore than a baseball player goes up and hits a homerun every time they go to bat. When you are creating a message of any kind, whether you call yourself a copywriter, or you're a speaker or you're just a human being communicating your message with other people, you have to find ways or words and techniques to get that message across to other people in ways that's hearable to them and understandable by them. So, that's how I take that issue.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, what principles are you willing to sacrifice your life for?

Ted Nicholas: Well, for the principle of freedom, I'm willing to put my life on the line to help people to be free.  I cherish personal and individual freedom in my life and I cherish it in the lives of other humans and of course, in all of those that I love, like my children and my grandchildren.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, do you experience service to others as a source of joy?

Ted Nicholas: Yes, I do experience service to others as a source of joy.  It can be said in a lot of ways, but I like the law of reciprocity where I don't believe there is any negative energy in the universe when you put yourself out there and you help. You get back so much.  One of the great things you get back is feedback and evidence where you put forth your energy, your ideas; it comes back and rewards you. In that sense, it gives me a great sense of joy.

People a lot of times don't give you immediate feedback about your influence in their lives.  That's okay.  I know when I'm giving feedback.  See, this is one of the things that I like about giving the seminars that I do.  I endeavor to put more information into my seminars on marketing, communications, on copywriting than anyone else on the planet has done, or will do, or is willing to do. 

I know that I'm doing that whether the people in the audience, you know, it has often been said, "When the student is ready, the teacher appears." As long as I know that in my heart, but it makes it even more joyful when I get feedback from people who are applying the lessons that I'm putting forward in my work.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, I would like to ask you a question.  What is your definition of heroism?

Ted Nicholas: Well to my mind, heroes are people who are masters of what they are doing and are individuals who have unlimited personal integrity.  As I travel around the world, there are not many people who, in fact it is a very rare talent to have to both mastered your craft and delivered it or served it or functioned in that craft with a sense of great integrity, concern with and for other people.  The ones that are the greatest heroes are the ones that are the most help to other humans along the way.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, are you an optimist?

Ted Nicholas: I consider myself definitely an optimist.  I don't deliberately think, "Well, I'm not going to be an optimist or a pessimist." I do see things, to a large extent, through "rose-colored glasses."  At times perhaps if I err, it is on the optimistic side.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, do you have a dream or a vision that sets the course of your life?

Ted Nicholas: Yes, my dream is that the whole world will be free, every country. There will be no tyrannies or dictatorships.  What has to happen in order for that to happen is the undiscovered heroes of this world, entrepreneurs in my judgment, if my work can influence entrepreneurs to even a greater degree that even I influence people now.

I have millions of readers, so I've influenced people a lot, but as my work spreads and as I continue hopefully to get better in refining my message, my dream is that I will be one of the people to help individuals all over the world to be free or more successful.  To just be one of the leaders in that direction, just turns me on; it keeps me going. 

One of the things that I am so excited about, every time I get letters, almost everyday, from people who give me credit for making such a big impact on their lives and for changing their lives and in many cases they deserve the credit. I don't, because they acted on my work or my ideas.  It just makes me feel so good and proud to be part of that process.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, if you had three wishes for your life and for the world that would instantly come true, what would they be?

Ted Nicholas: Number one, that every single country got rid of their dictators so that everybody would be free.  Number two, that the individuals were free to become and interested in becoming entrepreneurs.  I believe that there is an entrepreneur in the heart of everyone, inside the fiber, inside the being of everyone and for more people to recognize the true heroes are the entrepreneurs who are creating the jobs. 

You know, 90% of all new jobs are created by entrepreneurs, not big businesses.  When people understand that entrepreneurship is the only real way to create wealth, not to spend by the people who create it, although that's part of the joy of it, part of the joy, but I think most of the joy is all of the great things you can do with it and charitable activities and your church activities, if that is what you are motivated to do with your wealth.  I just think that's a fantastic thing. 

The third thing that I would like to see people do is recognize that their number one asset is their health and when I look at Americans, 60% of which are obese and that's spreading like wild, that issue of obesity all over the world.  People need to realize that their life is finite, that they can extend their lives by being healthy.  We're within ten years of breakthrough, more breakthroughs where we will all live to be 120 years or more, barring accidents and that sort of thing.  So when more people recognize that health is a value that we are pursuing, they watch their exercise, their diet and they also learn that the mental food, what you feed yourself is so critical.  I would like it if 100% of the world were on that premise.  We would have even a better world if all of those three things happened.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, when was the lowest point of your life and how did you change your life's path to one of victory over all obstacles?

Ted Nicholas: Well, the lowest point of my life, I've been very blessed that I haven’t had any real severe lows, I guess the closest I've come to the lowest point is after many years is when I started my first business at age twenty-one.  I was voted outstanding businessman in my state at age twenty-nine and I felt much honored. 

A couple of years after that, a long series of events, most of which were out of my control, I was in the candy and ice cream business at the time. Two of my many stores were bypassed and I lost a lot of volume.  I couldn't replace it because there were new toll roads that were taking the traffic away from my shops.  I started a franchise business and I basically had to close the business and it was very painful to me because some of my franchisees, some of my suppliers were hurt financially and although they almost all forgave me immediately for the circumstances that caused that, for me, I felt emotionally very low during that period. 

So I would say that is kind of the ultimate depth that I felt.  I felt that, rock bottom, that many of the things that I believed in and still do were, how do I say it, I questioned some of the things that I so believed in at those moments.  I had some questions; I had a lot of thinking and feeling to get through that period.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, who are the heroes in your life?

Ted Nicholas: The heroes in my life are mostly authors of books and a few speakers and I will identify a few of them. Some are the business men who were the early pioneers in America.  I think that America is really the country that has shown that entrepreneurship, given free reign, can produce miraculous results. 

The early people, like Andrew Carnegie, Bernard Gimble, and Henry Ford and others that I've mentioned in other interviews that I've done with you are the ones that are my heroes, because they have shown me not only great accomplishment but that setbacks or failures did not dissuade them from ultimately succeeding.

But in addition, there have been a few seminar speakers that have been highly influential to me.  I was privileged, for example, to be in the audience of Napoleon Hill, before he passed away. He spoke from the platform and ultimately his books that I read were greatly influential to me.

Also greatly influential to me was the late Joe Cossman.  When I was in my mid-twenties, there was a fellow by the name of; I believe it was E. Joseph Cossman who wrote a book called "How I Made a Million Dollars in Mail Order."  I went to his seminar and what I was so impressed by, is here is this millionaire, good-looking, articulate fellow who was so interested in the audience and what the audience got out of his presentation that I made him a personal hero.

I had the wonderful privilege of speaking with him on the platform of a cruise that we were on. As a matter of fact, a marketing cruise in about 1998 or 1999.  I got to meet him and interact with him personally, and I was so pleased that he considered me one of his heroes. So it was a great relationship.

Other heroes to me have been sports heroes.  I've always been interested in physical things and sports and I've liked people like Bill Tilden, reading about him and seeing his videos. Great tennis players, I'm very interested in tennis.  Also baseball players like Babe Ruth have been tremendous heroes. 

Football players and also football coaches have been great heroes of mine.  My high school coach was such a hero.  He was Russell Coleman, who later became the principal of the school.  I had to be on a team and we were state champions in our particular division. He was just such a disciplinarian.  I learned the concept from him of "tough love." 

He was so tough, such a disciplinarian, but at the same time, he loved us.  He could be tough with us and he loved us.  I've tried to be in life, working with employees and all, to be loving with all my people but also expecting a very high standard. If the people were not living up to, not just my standard but a standard that they and I had mutually developed, if they didn't live up to it, I tried do be a executive or entrepreneurial leader that was like my coach. I learned a lot of that from my coach. 

Basically what I learned was that I could be kind and loving as well as tough at the same time.  So those were just a few of some of my major heroes.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, who do you think are the heroes today that are not getting the recognition that they deserve?

Ted Nicholas: The first ones that come to mind, since we were just talking about children, are sports heroes. I think sports heroes are tremendous for children.  The people that are setting records, breaking homeruns, for example people  that are coming close to it like Sammy Sosa, and others who came here as immigrants. He seems to be a very kind and good person and a good parent.  I remember the retired John Elway, the former NFL quarterback and "Hall of Famer."  I think he is tremendous. 

I have had occasion to do some things for the Make a Wish Foundation that he was very much a part of and supporting them.  He is a terrific hero to look up to as a great NFL Champion.  I think the tennis players, some of the top ones, are wonderful heroes like the current number one, Roger Federer and Andrea Agassi who has just been a terrific influence on so many kids, so many young people.  So, many of the sports legends I feel are great heroes. 

Michael Jordon has of course influenced so many people from lower income backgrounds, because lower income kids tend to play a lot of basketball in neighborhoods and so forth.  He is a tremendous hero.  But then I think, also of authors again, who I think are terrific heroes. 

I think to be a children's author means that you are a special hero, because what I like about children and authors that write for children, like Rowling and others, is that you have to be a person of special integrity. Kids can see through dishonesty better than adults.  There's like a dishonesty filter and we adults can be more easily influenced by someone who may not have great integrity, but kids seem to see that. 

So the children's writers are terrific heroes for children, I feel.  Then of course, the entrepreneurs that are very good in the world are also very good examples in our lives.  Individuals who are thinkers along their own path and people who influence so many people are heroes, like Bill Gates for example, Richard Branson, and the publisher heroes that may not be as well known in celebrity status.  But, people like my friend Bill Bonner of Agora Publishing. 

He publishes pro-freedom and pro-entrepreneurial work.  Tom Phillips of Phillips Publishing and Bill Bonner are tremendous heroes who are helping to spread ideas.  So the idea spreaders, if you will, are tremendous heroes.  Just to name a few that I think are terrific are the people on the stage, who talk from the stage, who influence a lot of people, such as Peter Lowe, who is a seminar attendee of mine. 

He does the biggest seminars in America right now.  He is the promoter of Zig Ziglar and he is a very good speaker himself.  They are terrific heroes bringing heroes like retired General Schwarzkopf, for example to speak at his seminars.  I just think those people are tremendous heroes.

Ralph Zuranski: Ted, why are heroes so important in the lives of young people?

Ted Nicholas: Oh, heroes are crucial because they are the individuals that people consciously or subconsciously encourage us.  I think it's very important for young children to know heroes, the kind of heroes who are great. It is important for young children to know who the heroes are.  As parents I think the greatest thing that you can do is expose your child to very good heroes, excellent heroes, and top heroes.

Ralph Zuranski: Who helped give you the willpower to change things in your life for the better?

Ted Nicholas: Well, there wasn't any outside help. I had to develop my own willpower.  But again, my heroes are the authors of books.  I think that there are two basic ways to learn.  The best ways to learn are to discover information through books and in today's age, seminars and to utilize those things in your life.  So, when I went through the process of reading, studying, going to seminars and learning things myself, these people, these things helped me the most.

Posted by ralph at 09:35 AM | Permalink

First of all, I would like to thank everyone who had positive thoughts and prayers for my dad, and also for my family. A miracle did occur. On Wednesday, when we went into the hospital to see my dad and discover what the surgeons had decided to do, we were in for a pleasant surprise.

My dad was just eating lunch. The doctors decided to let him go home for Thanksgiving. The tests showed that the aneurysm had not yet burst, and they were willing to wait for a couple more days before they made their final decision to try to repair the aneurysm through a vein in his leg or directly through the chest.

With great joy, we loaded dad into the car, raced home, fed him dinner and tucked him in his hospital bed. I'm sure you can only imagine the look of joy on his partially paralyzed face to be back in his bed with his favorite TV clicker clicking through the channels, looking for something worthy.

We are definitely overjoyed to have dad back home with us again. Our greatest fear was that he would die during the heart surgery. The issue of the aneurysm breaking is still with us.

If you could, we would really appreciate your continued prayers and positive thoughts for the next week. I hope the aneurysm won't burst before the 30th when we go in to the cardiovascular surgeon's office to see what exactly is the current status of dad's life-threatening condition.

Also, my entire family is extremely grateful to all the people that I've met over the last 20 years at medical trade shows, the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce meetings and at the Internet seminars. There were kind enough to reply to my e-mail and lift my dad and our family up in prayer.

I will be answering everyone's e-mail as fast as I possibly can. In light of the things that are going on in my life at this point in time, this may take a few days.

I will be taking care of mom and dad full time because Janet will be flying out on Saturday to Louisiana to spend a few of her mom's final days on earth. Her mom just recently came down with the very aggressive form of a cancer that attacked her liver, pancreas and kidneys.

It seems that for whatever God's reason is, we are going through many trials and tribulations. I was astounded how many of you who replied to my email are going through the same thing or have already been there and done that.

Just your prayers, words of encouragement, and your response has made a huge difference in my attitude. I have greater hope and peace thanks to you. Perhaps those who responded to my email for help will allow me to publish their kind words of encouragement in this blog. Their words were so inspiring, I know they will help others that are going through the very same thing.

Perhaps some of you would even be willing to write stories about your experiences to help encourage those of us going through the gradual dying process of our loved ones and those who will be following the same path in the near future.

I have decided to republish my story of my dad's and mom's illnesses that occurred last year. Hopefully, after reading my response to the ups and downs, failures and successes you won't feel so all alone.

Hopefully, the struggles, trials and tribulations that I experienced and my determination with the help of God to be victorious will help you or someone you know that is having a hard time...anyone taking care of sick family members. The task is one of the most difficult anyone will ever face in their lifetime.

It is critically important to have the prayers and positive thoughts of family members and friends to overcome those situations. Again, I would just like to thank everybody that took their time to send words of encouragement and lift my family and my dad up in prayer.

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What is next now that Janet and I have to drive to San Diego to take care of my mom and dad? by Ralph Zuranski

The BIG question facing my family today is, "What do you do when one or both of your beloved family members suffer a quality of life threatening disease like a stroke, congestive heart failure and pneumonia?"
I sit here at my computer with tears rolling down my cheeks. FEAR of the unknown threatens my peace and financial security like the "sword of Damocles," hanging by a thin thread above my head.

As the water from my broken heart splashes onto my keyboard, I think of all of you other Baby Boomers in my shoes, soon to be or already there.
Are you also facing or in the midst of dealing with the gut wrenching decisions of what to do with your parents? I am crying for my mom and dad and our grandkids and their parents. I can still vividly remember the joyful moments at our last Christmas celebration when everyone was healthy.

Is our lifestyle as we now know it changed forever?
Radical changes are now forced upon us by events forged in the nightmares of our dreams. Not in our wildest imaginations did we ever consider life threatening diseases would impact our family. Are you suffering a similar situation also?

What am I to do now that quality of life threatening diseases have catastrophically struck both my mom and dad within two months?
A massive stroke, congestive heart failure and pneumonia have devastated my family in the last two months. My mom, at 88, barely survived pneumonia and congestive heart failure, in March of this year. My dad, at the age of 82, on Sunday, May 23, suffered a massive stroke. He is still in critical care and is paralyzed on the left side. Will he make it out of the hospital alive? What will happen to my mom?

Why is it so hard for parents to accept the advice of their kids?
If only my mom and dad had taken some of my advice over the last 40 years. They witnessed how dramatically the different alternative, complimentary, natural and holistic therapies helped me and Janet.

Why wouldn't they at least try some of the therapies that were so beneficial before catastrophe struck?
The agony of knowing our loved ones don't have to suffer catastrophic diseases like heart attack, stroke, pneumonia, cancer and congestive heart failure wrenches my soul. My frustration levels are off the chart. "What can you do when the answers are right in front of your face and your family members don't want to listen?"

Preventive therapies are worth their weight in gold!
How true is this statement, especially when it is too late? Why do people spend more money on their cars, houses, toys and vacations than their health? Why do they seek after wealth and material possessions, sacrificing their health in the process?

I almost scream out loud, "WAKE UP!"
Am I such an evil person? I constantly fight against the compulsion to take all my family members and friends by their shirts and try to shake some sense into them.

In the inner recesses of my mind I am screaming, "Change your ways before it is too late."
I know. I know! Screaming at people you love and shaking them like a dog worries a bone is not politically correct. I promise all my dear friends, family members and visitors not to touch one hair on your head.

Janet and I are now facing the thing everyone in the Baby Boomer Generation fears.
It is time to step up to the plate. Do we have the emotional and financial reserves that are required to make my parents' final days as joyful, peaceful and comfortable as possible?

Are we willing to give back for all the love, caring and support from my mom and dad over 55 years?
Are we grateful enough to radically change our current lives? What can we do to take care of them the best we possibly can?

Choosing between the grandkids and taking care of dying parents is an agonizing decision.
Janet and I moved to Dallas five years ago to help raise the grandkids and emotionally and financially support our son and daughter-in-law. Life these days seems so difficult on their generation...light years different from the 50s and 60s.

Our decision to help my parents breaks the hearts of many in the family.
As Janet and I prepare to drive from Dallas to San Diego on Thursday, to help take care of my mom and dad, a trail of tears will mark our path. The sweet smiling faces of our dear sweet grandchildren, Hannah and Lauren, and the bitter tears of parting streaming down their cheeks will haunt our memories.

"What are we going to take with us that we will need immediately?" is the next big question.
As this question floods my consciousness, I think about what will help my dad the most. First on my list is the two oxygen concentrators. I use then when I am exercising to increase the oxygen saturation levels in my blood. This therapy alone has been worth its weight in gold for increasing my energy and clarity of mind. I feel younger than I have felt in 20 years. I know they will help my dad, but his is paralyzed on his right side. I don't think is quite ready for exercising wiht oxygen yet. They are so big and would take up too much room I decide to leave them for the final trip to San Diego.

My next big thought is, "How in the world am I going to get all my computers and electronic gear into the 1998 Toyota Camry.
Luckily, I kept the boxes to my powerful Sony multi-media PCV-RZ32G desktop and SDM-HS73 LCD 17" screen. I packed them up and stuffed them into the trunk. Wow! Did they ever take up a lot of space. Then I loaded my Sony PCG-GRX550 laptop, Sony PEG-NX70V Clie and Palm Zire 71 and PDA handhelds, Microsoft natural keyboard and mouse, Net Gear Broadband WiFi gear and PCMCIA card, etc.

Yes, I admit I am the total GEEK.
In school we were formely known as NERDS. Now we are GEEKs and are needed by anyone with a computer...just about everyone. Well, the bottom line is when Janet saw the pile of electronic gear sitting by the door she flipped.

Janet said in no uncertain terms, "Leave all that tech-head stuff behind.
I need to bring all my clothes, makeup, hairspay, shoes and secret female stuff." Since I have been married for 8 years, I knew what to say. "Yes dear!" While bitting my tongue and agonizing how much of my beloved technology I would have to leave behind, I dutifully loaded Janet's precious materials.

What to take with us was getting tougher all the time.
My over-inflated idea of how much would fit in the care slapped me upside the head. After I put Janet's giant suitcase in the back seat, along with two large plastic bags of her other necessities, my options were shrinking fast. I decided to cram as much as possible into the trunk and on top of the items in the back seat.

Finally, after loading all my books on health and brain integration, software, hard drives, vitamins, exercise devices, super-food powders, water, Acuscope, Myopulse and other healing instruments, the car was so loaded you could not see out the back window.
Janet immediately informed me this was unacceptable. I quickly smashed everything down and stuffed the bare minimum amount of clothing into the cracks. I guess I could survive with a few T-shirts, underwear, socks and shorts.

To be continued....

Posted by ralph at 07:36 AM | Permalink

You can read the story of his tragic illness in my blog by Clicking Here

I need your prayers or positive thoughts for my dad, Ralph Zuranski.
He is in critical situation. A major artery in his abdomen is ready to
burst. If it is not repaired, he has only a short time to live.

The surgeons want to do a high risk surgery on him today in
hopes of repairing the artery in time. His heart is not in good shape.

It will take a miracle for him to survive.

I love my dad. He is my hero and inspired the "In Search Of
Heroes Program" that is designed to honor the heroes in our lives.

The goal is to help young people realize the moms, dads,
grandparents, relatives, friends, teachers, coaches
and individuals that help others unselfishly are the real heroes.

They do not get the credit they deserve for helping and
inspiring others on a daily basis.

Dad had a massive stroke in June of last year that paralyzed him on one side.
Janet and I moved from Dallas to San Diego to provide 24-7 care
for him and my mom who suffered a catastrophic illness a few months
earlier.

After almost 17 months of taking care of them, their end is
near. But, we want to do everything we can to prolong their lives
for a few more precious moments.

That is why I am emailing you. Your prayers and positive
thoughts are my dad's only hope.

I apologize if this email reached you by mistake and that I did not
have time to make this email more personal.

Sincerely yours,
Ralph Zuranski

PS Thank you for your help. I pray you have a great Thanksgiving
and have the opportunity to cherish your time with those special
individuals in your life.

Posted by ralph at 10:49 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Sharif Khan: We have today Ralph Zuranski, a former special features writer and photographer of the Coronado Eagle Newspaper, and creator of the “In Search of Heroes™” program for high school students. It’s a program for high school and college students teaching them first how to be healthy and think clearly.
 
It will then teach how to apply the secret Internet and offline marketing techniques that generate massive amounts of extra income for those individuals and their businesses that deserve recognition as local Heroes, so they can personally fund the most valuable community programs. So, it’s a real pleasure to have Ralph Zuranski on our program today.
 
Ralph Zuranski: Thank you, Sharif!
 
Sharif asks question 1: You’re welcome. Let me just ask you, tell me a little bit more about your “In Search of Heroes™” program.
 
Ralph: It’s a program that I created back when I was a writer and photographer for the Coronado Eagle. I was disgusted by the Heroes like the rock stars, the sports stars, the movie stars or people that are basically just into money and fame. They don’t really give kids a good example of what it is to be productive human beings.
 
When you focus on material possessions and fame and the people’s lives are broken, they are in shambles, on drugs, involved in illicit sex; it is such a devastating aspect of people’s lives. I just thought we really need to look at who the real Heroes are.
 
From my experience, over my lifetime of being involved in professional sports, working with movie stars and working with incredibly important people, I’ve found that the real Heroes are the moms and dads. They are the people in their families that take their time and sacrifice to help and protect and serve those that they know that are in their family circle.
 
My mom and dad just recently had catastrophic illnesses last year, and I was the only child that decided to drop what I was doing, come back and live with my parents and help take care of them. I’m thankful that my wife came with me.
 
Now that I see how hard it actually is to step up to the plate and take care of your parents when they have catastrophic illnesses and how great are the sacrifices, I realized that the real Heroes are the people that are making a big difference in the lives of the people within their own families.
 
I thought that people really need to know this. That’s when I created the Heroes program, to take high school kids in search of local and national Heroes to just ask them, “Who are the Heroes in their lives?” Almost to a person, even the movie stars and important people in the community all said it was their moms and dads, or the coaches and teachers.
 
Sharif asks question 2: Well said. What is your definition of Heroism?
 
Ralph: My definition of Heroism is similar to yours. It’s somebody that serves and protects, somebody that sacrifices their life in a way that enriches the people in their own family as individuals, or groups of individuals.
 
You look at some of the great spiritual leaders like Gandhi or Mother Teresa, or John Paul, the pope who just recently died. Those people gave up their own personal sacrifice of wealth, material possessions and fame to serve others.
 
I firmly believe just as you do, that it’s those people who serve and protect those in their community, that make a great sacrifice to make a difference, a positive difference in the lives of other people. They are continually working to make the world and other people’s lives better, the best that they possibly can by actually giving action on their part and showing that it’s not “do as I say” but “do as I do”.
 
Sharif asks question 3: Yes. Did you ever create a secret Hero in your mind that helped you deal with life’s difficulties?
 
Ralph: Well, you know I really did as a child. I had tremendous health problems. I was born three months premature and it just seems that I was addicted to sugar, and I was eating crap all day. My teeth started rotting in my mouth at an early age and every time that I went into the dentist, I would have to get four or five fillings. It got to such a point that I absolutely would bear the pain of having the dentist drill on my teeth without going for the Novocain shots.
 
Sharif: Oh boy!
 
Ralph: Just because it was so painful. To help me deal with that, I created a character in my mind; I didn’t know who it was but just a character. I was always hearing him say, “You can do it! You can do it!” because eating sugar all the time, I was extremely depressed.
 
Plus, I was having severe problems with my hormones because my blood sugar was constantly going up and down and I was using up all my cortisol to basically just keep my blood sugar level up, so I didn’t die and go into a coma. In the process of doing that, what happened is that my body was utilizing all my sex hormones, especially the testosterone just to keep my blood sugar level up and burning it into cortisol.
 
So what happened is that I was the 99 pound weakling. I was like the midget in the class. I was sick all the time, I was depressed and suicidal. I just hated how I looked; I had a big nose and big ears. I was of Polish heritage, so I got all the Polish jokes.
 
I would look in the mirror and tell myself, “I hate you! I hate you! I wish you were dead!” It was that special character that I created that helped me get through life. It was all the way through high school and college that I was depressed. I didn’t know why, and it was just because of a hormonal problem. There was always that super Hero there that kept me going.
 
Sharif asks question 4: It sounds like quite the ordeal. What were or are the qualities and attributes of your secret Hero?
 
Ralph: My secret Hero was positive all the time. My Hero was always telling me, “You can do it! Don’t give up! Even though you failed, never give up! Everything is going to be okay! Don’t focus on the negative. Just continue to be positive and just try. You are only a failure if you don’t get back up and try again. You are going to fail a lot, but if you learn from your failures, you continue to find how to have a better and more successful life.”
 
So, my character really gave me hope and said, “You can do it!” There is that one piece of life that always was there to keep me going in times of difficulty and depression, fear and self worthlessness.
 
Sharif: That’s great. So it was a positive influence.
 
Ralph: Absolutely.
 
Sharif asks question 5: What is your perspective on goodness, ethics and moral behavior?
 
Ralph: That’s a good question. That’s a hard one, because there is a spiritual aspect to that which is so great. I think it has a lot to do with what type of faith a person has. That determines a lot what their ethics are and what they consider is moral behavior.
 
As a Christian Catholic, I read the Bible a lot and I basically follow the teachings of Jesus, as far as laying down your life for others and doing good to others. My favorite quote is, “How do you turn evil to good?” By loving your enemies and doing good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you, and praying for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. I think that’s the only way that you can really turn evil to good, is by providing good first, rather than by returning evil for evil.
 
I think that in every culture and every faith, of all the great teachers, that was the idea, the Golden Rule of doing good to others as you would have them do unto you. Doing it first, rather than expecting the world to do good to you first. It’s like priming the pump, you have to give first. You have to put something into the system before you will ever get something out of it.
 
Sharif asks question 6: That’s right. What principles are you willing to sacrifice your life for?
 
Ralph: I think, like you, that I’m willing to sacrifice my life for those who I love and I’m willing to sacrifice my life for freedom. If there’s an opportunity to sacrifice your life, to lay your life down for somebody that you don’t know, I think that I would be willing to do that because I trust in God.
 
I know that by living my life and trusting in Him and searching for what it is that He wants me to do, that if there is a situation where I had to sacrifice my life to save even one person, that I would actually do that because I know it’s  a part of God’s plan.
 
Rather than trying to figure out from day to day just having the positive attitude which I think is important, I just trust in the Lord with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all my ways and know that He will direct my paths.
 
My paths are completely different from His, and it takes a lot of faith each day to wake up and having no idea what God wants you to do. But just living from moment to moment and allowing Him to guide you with events that occur completely out of the view of what you had going on in your own mind of where you want to go, and doing it willingly, gratefully and thankfully.
 
A lot of times you don’t really want to do, but thanking God for that, and knowing that you are serving a greater purpose rather than serving yourself.
 
Sharif asks question 7: When was the lowest point in your life, and how did you change your life path to one of victory over obstacles?
 
Ralph: My lowest life point was after I turned away from God in high school. I went to a Catholic high school, and there were no girls there. Most of the time, I just thought about girls and sex. It was right about the time that Playboy came out.
 
I started taking vitamins and working out when I was 13 and that completely changed my life. It actually started my path from being a 99 lb. weakling to becoming a muscle bound anomaly in the universe. I was your typical nerd with a big nose, horn rimmed glasses, and plastic pen carrier, but I had muscles.
 
When I started taking vitamins and working out I suddenly had this huge surge of testosterone. So I was thinking, “I have to get a date! I have to go out with girls! I’ve got to find a girlfriend! I’ve got to have sex!”
 
So that was in direct opposition to what I had learned in Catholic school as far as being a virgin until marriage. So I went to UCSD which is sort of a revolutionary college. It had a lot of communist on the staff. You had to take a socialist program, Humanities, that talked about the reason why you were screwed up is that you needed to rebel and you need to get involved in mind expanding drugs and sex.
 
Just to rebel against what your parents told you and what society was telling you. It was the time of the Vietnam War and so I was disillusioned with what was going on and so I figured, “The reason why I’m screwed up is because I’m not having enough sex, drugs and rock and roll!”
 
Sharif: That was in vogue at that time, yes!
 
Ralph: I decided I would go down that trail and I still remember the first day that I didn’t go to Mass. I decided I would go surfing instead. I was sitting out in the ocean and it was the time of the movie Jaws and I just kept on thinking about this big giant shark opening up its mouth and just consuming me, like the whale consumed Jonah.
 
Sitting out on my board as punishment for turning away from God, and when nothing happened like that, that sent me on a spiral on getting involved with sex and drugs and rock and roll, and psychedelics.
 
It completely evolved into a situation where I was smoking pot all the time. I was living with a guy that was into coke and all the horrible things involved in freebasing coke and I saw all that. Ultimately it led me to a point where I was just so depressed and I was ready to kill myself. I still had that problem with depression. Even though I had money, sex and drugs I was just so depressed.
 
The idea of training a child in the way they should go and when they are old they won’t depart from it. I know my parents were praying for me and spontaneously at the lowest point of my life when I was ready to kill myself, out of the blue, subconsciously I started saying the Lord’s Prayer and Hail Mary.
 
That seemed to put me in a situation where I was able to find my relationship with God as either accept the free gift of salvation or just kill myself. Thankfully God gave me the grace and the faith to make the right choice.
 
Sharif asks question 8: That’s a powerful story. Do you have a dream or vision that sets the course of your life?
 
Ralph: You know, I do have a dream or vision and that vision is to make the world a better place, especially for young people. I know my childhood, teenage and college years were so miserable because I didn’t know why I was so depressed, and why I had so many health problems and I was sick all the time.
 
I was plagued with one problem after another problem. It had to do with my mindset, as far as what my thoughts were and just my health problems. So I spent the last 30 years researching why I felt so bad and what was wrong with me.
 
I finally found out at the age of 13 when I started taking vitamins and working out. I went from being a C and a D student to an A student almost overnight. I got a scholarship to Catholic high school. It was at 13 that I dedicated my life to the study of health and human awareness, and trying to discover what are the ultimate limits of human performance in all areas.
 
It took me 30 more years of studying alternative medicine and learning about all the great leaders in alternative medicine that it created incredible therapies that helped people overcome all the types of diseases and health problems that I was suffering from.
 
My dream and my vision is the “In Search of Heroes™” program, to share that health knowledge and share the mental processes that people have that will help them become such great successes, a lot of times over unbelievable odds, even like you.
 
When you are addicted to alcohol it’s basically self suicide or making a change in your life. My goal is to help people realize how they too can be Heroes in their own life and make a real difference in the lives of others within their life and within the society.
 
Sharif asks question 9: Do you take a positive view of setbacks, misfortunes and mistakes?
 
Ralph: No, I don’t always do that. I know I should, but having suffered with depression for so many years it seems that every day I am always battling fear, doubts, thoughts of mistakes that I’ve made, the misfortunes that I’ve had, and the setbacks that I have had are almost paralyzing. It’s just incredible.
 
The only thing that I found that can help me do that is by using a rubber band on the wrist and snapping myself big time. The other thing is praying to God and asking Him to remove those. I see those as temptations from satan that is trying to destroy my path and doing the work that God set out for me.
 
Sharif asks question 10: Would you say that you are an optimist?
 
Ralph: Not all the time. I know how important it is to have positive thoughts, but just in being a situation where you are taking care of your mom and dad and they are both near death. You don’t know what is going to happen today.
 
You have to change your parent’s diapers and do all kinds of stuff that you wouldn’t normally realize you had to do. Just how much you have to sacrifice in your life. My wife and I can’t go anywhere by ourselves anymore, because somebody always has to be there. It is hard. Sometimes it can be depressing.
 
Sharif asks question 11: Do you have the courage to pursue new ideas?
 
Ralph: Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t. It’s really hard sometimes to know when you change the direction that you are going and to pursue new ideas. There is going to be a lot of people that will try to prevent you from doing it.
 
Sharif: Right.
 
Ralph: So you know that you are going to experience a lot of pain in the process of doing that. Some of the time it’s the people that you really love and love you that don’t want you to change, because they are comfortable with the way that you are.
 
When you strive to overcome the negative aspects, it’s really difficult to make those changes, because those people get angry and they are going to punish you for doing that. It’s so crucial just to make those changes and to have that courage, because you are going to have to pay a price to change your life.
 
Sharif asks question 12: That’s right. Were you willing to experience discomfort in the pursuit of your dreams?
 
Ralph: I was and it seems that I’ve been ten years ahead of my time as far as researching health at the age of 13, and telling people about vitamins and exercise. I’ve been there just trying to get people to realize that Heroes are our moms and dads and people around us.
 
It seems that a lot of the time people aren’t interested in your dream because they’ve got their own dreams. It’s hard to get people to realize that you’ve got a dream, and you are trying to do things. Most people seem so wrapped up in sex, drugs and material possessions and personal power.
 
Just having what society says they should have makes them happy that they see on television and all the advertisements. It’s so frustrating sometimes just to realize that most people don’t share your dream and that you just have to continue on with your dream and never give up.
 
Sharif asks question 13: Yes. Did you believe your dreams would become reality?
 
Ralph: You know, I do believe my dreams will become reality. I look back to 1992 when I first started the Heroes program. I realized that was something that God wanted me to do. I just saw the huge amount of work it would take, and the massive amount of investment of time and money.
 
I’ve been funding it with my time and money for almost 13 years now. Just the sacrifices that I have had to make, during those times I’ve had to basically live out of my car because in pursuing my dream and doing everything I could to work with people that are ethical and have integrity.
 
A lot of the people that have taken advantage of me, I have had to break those connections. Even though it was a way that I was making a living, I had to cut back on my life just to pursue my dreams. But I always believed they would come true and I was willing to pay the price to make them become true.
 
Sharif asks question 14: So you have overcome a lot of obstacles. How are you able to overcome your doubts and fears?
 
Ralph: That’s a daily effort to overcome doubts and fears. Every day I wake up, I have both doubts and fears. I have doubts about what I’m doing, if it’s ever going to become successful, whether I will be able to do this full time, or whether it will generate enough income so I can give the program life and have it go to every community. It takes money to be able to do that. It’s hard to generate income when not everybody has accepted your dream as ready to be supported.

Fear, everybody has fear. Fears are things you perceive that aren’t real. I think that people that are really true to what’s going on realize that those fears are something that are part of every day life and every body has them.
 
The most important thing you can do is do the things that help you over come fear. Do those things that you do fear. There is a certain aspect to that you can fear a rattlesnake. Fear is good to a certain point, but the idea of fear of failure and fear of loss and fear of rejection, those are things that everybody experiences. Those are things that you have to take a positive view and just think, “I’m going to do this because it is part of attaining my dream.”
 
I know that a lot of times that it’s not personal when people reject me, when the things I hope will happen don’t happen. It’s just a part of learning how the way things work. It’s like Thomas Edison, how many times he tried to find a way that worked, to create a light bulb. He did it thousands and thousands of times.
 
I think that as you continue on, ultimately you build a momentum and you start doing small things better. You start doing things right and associate with people that are doing the right things and you learn from them and they become your mentors. They teach you the right ways to do it. Your fears diminish because you have greater success in doing things the right way.
 
Sharif asks question 15: Great advice! Ralph, who helped give you the will power to change things in your life for the better?
 
Ralph: Well, back when I was thinking about committing suicide, even though I had material possessions and money, drugs and sex, it brought no happiness. If it wasn’t for God offering me that free gift of salvation, eternal salvation and giving me the grace that I needed to make the right decision, I would be dead.
 
I would be dead or in some alley like you when you were going down that trail. So first, I have to say that God gives me the willpower to change things in my life because I’m selfish and I want things for myself.
 
It’s so hard sometimes just to sacrifice your life for others, especially if it’s a big sacrifice of wealth and material possessions when you have to take care of others who are sick in your family. I think the other person who has given me will power is my wife, even though we have been through a lot of difficult times over the past ten years because she’s had severe health problems herself.
 
It has taken ten years to find out why she was going through premature menopause, with all the hormonal problems that she had. We met Dr. Borkin over the last five years who is an expert in hormones and understanding how the hormonal process works.
 
If I just would have known when I was a kid, and if I were a parent and knew about the hormones in my kids and how major the impact is, and how you can balance those things out, it would have made a huge difference.
 
So I say that first God, and then my wife supporting me no matter what and dealing with the problems in her life, but always saying, “Yes, Ralph, I know that you can do it” and always having faith that I could do it.  Dr. Borkin coming into my life and showing me what I needed to balance out my hormones so I could have victory over the hormones to cause depression.
 
Sharif asks question 16: Do you readily forgive those who upset, offend and oppose you?
 
Ralph: No, I would like to say that I do but it’s easy to hold on to hurts and people that oppose you all the time, especially when they are in your family and a lot of times, it’s on a daily basis. It’s so hard to be forgiving and forgive people instantly and just not hold grudges. I know I really find that in my relationship with my wife…
 
Sharif: Your wife is your life!
 
Ralph: She is my life. I think everybody has battles in their marriage. Satan is always warring against the marriage and the family, because it’s the foundation of our spiritual life and society. There are so many things at war against marriage and doing the right thing. Loving your wife as if she were your own body and not harming her in any way.
 
It’s so easy when you have all these things going on; financial problems, health problems, just all the things that can go wrong and do go wrong. Everybody tends to hold the people they love the most responsible and just blame them.
 
I do my best. I would love to say I forgive people instantly but thank God for the rubber band! Snapping my wrist, it’s better to give myself pain than to give others pain.
 
Sharif asks question 17: Do you experience service to others as a source of joy?
 
Ralph: I look at Jesus Christ as the greatest example of laying his life down for people that didn’t deserve it. I pray the Rosary every morning and just think about the Stations of the Cross. I’m just so amazed at what He did for us and so grateful for the great gift of eternal salvation that I look at the suffering and pain that He went through to gain that for us.
 
Just awestruck, and I’m so amazed to know that there is nothing that I can do to gain eternal salvation. That everything that I do now is basically just in gratitude for the great gift that He has given me. So yes, I do experience service to others as my greatest joy.
 
I do want to be one of the greatest servants of all because I know that’s the only way that in the afterlife that I can be one of the greatest in the Kingdom.
 
Sharif asks question 18: What place does the power of prayer have in your life?
 
Ralph: I pray every day. The first thing that I do in the morning is I go through all my prayers and I pray for just about everybody that I know. It takes about a half an hour to do all that. Then I say the rosary and contemplate just the Stations of the Cross and the Mysteries of the Rosary.
 
I just think how incredible it is that an entire almost supernatural event changed the way humanity looks at the world and looks at others. I think that the reason I love Christianity is the power that God puts in the lives to cherish every human life and every person no matter what their faith.
 
Just the commands He has, to love others as ourselves and to lay our lives down for others. It’s beautiful because Christianity doesn’t put individuals at odds with others, even if they don’t believe the same way that they do.
 
It’s the idea that you love others no matter what. You have to love first and accept their beliefs and walk a mile in their shoes just to find out what they believe. So many people just out of hand reject others, condemn others and want to kill others because they don’t believe the same way they do.
 
I believe that it’s time for compassion, it’s time for love, and it’s time for being longsuffering. It’s time to look for the reflection of God in the lives of every other person. I don’t care where they live or what they believe. I believe there is humanity in every person. Every person is made in the image and likeness of God and that we need to respect that and cherish that.
 
Sharif asks question 19: Do you maintain your sense of humor in the face of serious problems?
 
Ralph: I do, sometimes. I think it’s important to have humor in life, but as with everybody else, I definitely have my weak moments. Some days I am a pretty humorless person, and not a very fun person to be around.
 
I think that humor can change a situation instantaneously, the ability to laugh at your own selfishness, your own greed or doubts, or to find something funny in an event that so tragic. I think that a lot of times it’s important that you either have to laugh or you have to cry.
 
Sharif: Laughter can be quite healing.
 
Ralph: That is so true.
 
Sharif asks question 20: Who are the Heroes in your life?
 
Ralph: Well, you know there are a lot of Heroes in my life. There are so many Heroes, just the people that I have met on the Internet that I interviewed as Heroes, like yourself, who are making the world a better place.
 
I think that both my mom and dad are Heroes, struggling with the difficulties that they have right now with their poor health. I think probably one of the greatest Heroes is my dad, even though he’s pretty much paralyzed on one side.
 
He’s trapped in diapers, and trapped in a world where he has no control over his life. I’ve never heard him say a negative thing or complain, or get angry at anybody. How embarrassing it must be not to have any personal privacy and to be totally dependent upon others, and not just be upset at that, but be kind and compassionate and accept it. Being able to accept that situation and do it graciously, just having a positive word to say, and having a smile. That’s so incredible.
 
I truly believe that my wife is my other greatest Hero after my mom and dad, because she is here helping to take care of my parents. She’s changing the diapers, sacrificing her life being here helping my family when her family back in Dallas is going through their own trials and tribulations.
 
How hard it is for a mom to be away from her grandkids and from her family. Talk about sacrifice, that’s what I really believe sets Heroes apart, serving and protecting others. A lot of times sacrificing what they want to do in their lives for the benefit of others.
 
Sharif asks question 21: How did they make a positive difference in your life?
 
Ralph: Just by their example of sacrifice, love for others and compassion. It’s something that, I’ve never been a real emotional person, and I’ve always been sort of a right brained person and goal oriented. I don’t have many emotions.
 
Learning and seeing what emotions are, and how powerful they are in a person’s life and how good they are. They give you peaks and valleys. They make life interesting other than just totally dedicated, “I’m on a mission and I’m going to succeed.”
 
It forces you to look at the people around your life and I think the most important thing that you can do is minister to the people that God puts in your path. The only way you can really do that is by showing your emotions and experiencing your emotions, and having those emotions of love, hate and anger. Just be willing to go through that.
 
Sharif asks question 22: Who do you feel are the real Heroes in our society today?
 
Ralph: The real Heroes are people that help others. My acronym for a Hero or actually Heroes is somebody that Helps Enthusiastically, Responsibly, Optimistically, Exceptionally, Socially and or Spiritually.
 
Sharif: That’s great.
 
Ralph: Anybody can do that at any moment in time. Anybody can step up to the plate and help somebody, and instantly become a Hero. Gregory Alan Williams was one of the first Heroes that we did who was the black cop on Baywatch.
 
He actually saved an Asian man’s life in the L.A. riots as he was being beaten to death at an intersection. Gregory Alan Williams went out and pulled the guy out of the car even though the mob was there trying to kill him. They were getting ready to turn on Gregory Alan Williams and the Asian guy and a Mexican guy stepped in and took the beatings so he could get that man that was injured to the neighbors. They were able to get him to the hospital, and he survived.
 
Gregory Alan Williams said there is a little bit of good in the worst of us, and a little bit of bad in the best of us. No matter how bad a person is, they can step up to the plate and become a Hero. Even in a moment in time they can change somebody’s life by doing good. I think that there are Heroes all around us. Anybody can be a Hero, no matter what their status in life is, no matter what their attitude is.
 
Just as you believe that it is important to give people a good example of what real Heroes are. Those are the people that lay down their lives for others, that aren’t so focused on material possessions and fame or driven by green or lust. They are just experiencing the pleasures of life, trying to make the world a better place by helping people that are in their lives.
 
Sharif asks question 23: I love your acronym for Heroes. Why are Heroes so important in the lives of young people?
 
Ralph: Well, young people, everyone was young at one time or another. When you hit that flood of hormones, it’s such an interesting time when you have different peer groups based on physical ability, financial wealth, just appearance that everybody gets stuck in a different category.
 
From my experience of being sick all the time and just being a 99 lb. weakling and one of the smallest kids in the class and being a nerd, it was an incredibly hard time in my life. So, the real Heroes in my time were the people that I read about in books, people that had overcome incredible difficulties and trials and tribulations.
 
I was so rejected as a kid that I spent most of my time reading books. I loved the stories about average, every day people that became Heroes by doing something that nobody thought they could do. The only way that young people can live lives of Heroism is by modeling their lives after people that are successful, people that have done great things.
 
If they can find those people in their family or in their neighborhood or church, or at school as a coach or a teacher, or if they don’t have access to that, some of the greatest people they can read their biographies.
 
They can become Heroes just like they are for you in your secret group of Heroes that you have chosen that are in your dreams, that when you meditate that they are there giving you good advice. I think that if you don’t have real life Heroes in your life that you can find them in books, you can find them in comic books like I did. You can find them virtually everywhere.
 
Without those examples and those models, they just don’t know what to become. They don’t know how to get there. They don’t have a path charted out. I know for myself, I was just wavering in the wind. I didn’t know which way to go.
 
A lot of my Heroes were fictional characters and they were good at killing evil invaders from space and horrible creatures and stuff like that, but they didn’t have a way of telling you how to be successful in life.
 
Unfortunately, in a lot of our Heroes in the comic books these days, there is no black and white, no good and evil any more. A lot of the Heroes that are promoted these days, I would say they are tragic characters because they don’t know what is good and what is evil. They have all these self doubts, but the good thing is that a lot of the time they do the right thing most of the time.
 
Sharif asks question 24: Who do you think are the Heroes of today that are not getting the recognition that they deserve?
 
Ralph: Well, of course it’s the moms and dads first of all. The moms and dads are laying down their lives for the kids. The kids don’t even realize just how much sacrifice it takes for the moms and dads to go to work every day, and buy food, clothes and love the kids, and take a lot of the guff that kids give them.
 
Anybody who takes care of somebody that’s sick in their family is not only a Hero, but a saint. The teachers, the coaches, the spiritual leaders, the priests, the pastors, all the different faiths, all the people that take that time and sacrifice fame, fortune and material possession and free time to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
 
Sharif asks question 25: How do people become Heroes?
 
Ralph: It’s similar to what you say, serve and protect. It’s the people that sacrifice part of their time or their money. I think the most important thing is that they sacrifice their time. It’s the most valuable thing that they have. They help others, whether it’s people in their family, community, I don’t care who they help. When people help others, they are basically making the world a better place.
 
I really love your analogy as far as the darkness that society is trapped in, seeking after greed, the darkness of pornography, of lust, of power, of material possessions. Most people get so caught up in that. We look at our politicians and we look at a lot of the people, sports stars, movie stars, all those people are the worst examples for young people.
 
The sooner they realize that there is a Hero within themselves, that they just learn what Heroes do. They can be a Hero every day. Just look at their moms and dads and people within their family, and the good things they can do. Not be so concerned about themselves, the hardest thing in the world for people to overcome is selfishness. Being depressed, being upset and not choosing what you have, just being in a state of always wanting other things.
 
The only way that you can overcome that is serving others. It’s so crucial to not be concerned about yourself, but be more concerned about the people around you. I think that’s where you overcome depression, unhappiness and sorrow by helping others, because it’s such a great joy to help others.
 
You can see how paying it forward, by doing random acts of kindness, like you said, it can be so transformational in this world. If you help one person, you are helping yourself and you are helping the entire world.
 
Sharif asks question 26: Where are Heroes located?
 
Ralph: They are located everywhere. They are every person that you come in contact with. I actually believe that angels walk this earth and there are good angels and bad angels. I believe that angels are there to miraculously help you.
 
They are like the ultimate spiritual Heroes that step in and intervene in the most miraculous ways. I believe that people can find miracles occurring in their lives on a daily basis, if they just look for it and realize that when they do good things without expectation of good in return, that God actually rewards them. People don’t believe in the Christian God, just the universe will reward them.
 
Sharif asks question 27: How does it feel to be recognized as a Hero?
 
Ralph: It feels great. I created a character Hero when I was in the skate board industry called Captain Biorhythm. I was so impressed with biorhythms and how I charted the ups and downs of life. Everybody does have ups an downs and to know that there are cycles that you can actually watch and you prepare yourself with your attitude and just never give up when you see different events occur, because that’s part of life, ups and downs.
 
I was doing research on accidents and injuries in the skateboard parks and in the top skateboarders back in the late Seventies. I saw there was a real correlation in accidents and injuries, just as the researchers in Japan saw that you can cut accidents and injuries by at least 70% by just warning people to be more cautious on certain days.
 
I created my character Captain Biorhythm in a slalom race, where you can go down a steep hill through cones like skiing on a skate board. I had never done it before and I thought for sure I was going to kill myself and have a severe injury.
 
It was on Halloween, all my friends told me, “Yeah, yeah, why don’t you do it Ralph? You can do it.” I decided I would create a Hero called Captain Biorhythm that was able to overcome his fears and realize that there was a potential for accident and injury.
 
I got one of my girlfriends to create a Heroes costume out of a woman’s velour dress, it was like a tunic. It said Biorhythms on the top and had a big blue cape. I was trying to get the idea of wearing skateboard safety equipment across to the skaters because I saw so many horrific accidents and injuries.
 
So I got all kinds of elbow pads and knee pads out of the motorcycle industry. I had a helmet and I had a big giant blue cape, and I showed up at the skateboard event. Unfortunately on my way up there my car conked out and so I had to change in my car and I hitchhiked and got a ride from a girl named Robin Logan who was on the Logan Family skateboard team.
 
She gave me a ride up there. I showed up there and I was in my costume and unfortunately the skaters had lied to me and nobody else was dressed up in a costume but me. So, boy did I feel pretty stupid and on my first skateboard run, it was in a costume and it was a day when the wind was blowing incredibly strong and my cape billowed out behind me.
 
I had this chain that was around my neck. As I started going down the hill, the cape acted like a parachute and at the same time the chain was strangling me as I was going through the course in slow motion. All the skateboarders were standing on the side and I stopped and they thought it was the funniest thing that they had ever seen.
 
From then on, I was Captain Biorhythm no matter whether I was dressed in my costume or not. I got a lot of guff for that, a lot of ridicule and people recognized me as a Hero then.
 
But now just being recognized as a Hero for trying to make the world a better place and doing something about it, it really is a great joy.  I’m very grateful that people think that I am a Hero because ever since I created that character back in 1976, I’ve been using that character as a way to overcome disappointments, sorrow and health problems and setbacks.
 
Captain Biorhythm is my alter ego. He’s my right brain, he’s the spontaneous, intuitive, the emotional. He’s the one that is the character that brings balance to my entire life.
 
Sharif asks question 28: Why do you think that you were selected for this unique honor?
 
Ralph: Well, you know, I was selected because I honored other people first. I honored other people as Heroes first and looked for the good in them, and the good things they were doing. I was doing it without trying to get money or make money in the whole process. I was doing it for the pure joy of trying to make the world a better place by focusing on the good that people do rather than the negative, and realizing that if you help enough people get what they want, you will get what you want too.
 
My ultimate dream would be to generate enough money with this program that I would be able to do this full time and be able go to every community and help people set up a program “In Search of Heroes™” in their community and honoring all those people that deserve to be recognized.
 
Sharif asks question 29: How will being recognized as a Hero change your life?
 
Ralph: You know it already has changed my life. That other people think that I am a Hero confirms and reaffirms all the years and all the sacrifices that I have ever been through since I created Captain Biorhythm back in 1976.
 
It’s been a hard road, and I can’t tell you how embarrassing it was to wear my costume around. For one year, I lived as Captain Biorhythm. I wore my costume to work every day, the costume I designed went through a series of evolutions. Ultimately it became a test of people’s brain integration, whether they were right or left brained dominant.
 
So when I was director of a chain of health spas in charge of health research, family fitness centers, I wore my costume to work every day to test people’s brain hemisphere. I had my car painted up as the Biomobile and it had Captain Bio on it.
 
Everybody kept asking me, “Gee, who is Captain B10”, just this thing that I did had the reverse consequences. I was ridiculed, but still, I persevered and went to the comic conventions in San Diego and went up on stage.
 
I remember one time when I was doing the first Heroes program, I had a young man, stay with me and we went on In Search of Heroes in the comic industry, the comic convention at Sea World and Disneyland. I was up on the stage; I was going to have three stages where I had Ralph Zuranski on the outside.
 
Underneath that costume I had Captain Biorhythm, and underneath that costume I had Captain Bioman, where you integrate the right brain and the left brain. Bio means two, so when you join your hands together that integrates both your right brain and your left brain, and people do that naturally when they put their hands together in great joy or great sorrow. Some people pray, it’s like integrating the person instantly.
 
At that time the people that were running the convention turned the lights off when I took my first layer off. They thought I was probably a pervert and that I was going to expose myself. I intended to expose that there were three aspects of human beings, there is your right brain, your left brain, and anybody can be a Bioman or Biowoman when they join hands together and they form a circle of completion and become friends with themselves. Both brain hemispheres are working together rather than trying to destroy one brain hemisphere.

Most of the time our worst enemy is ourselves, and our dominant brains, either the left brain that is the logical, judgmental, mathematical, verbal skills. It’s the one that’s competitive and the judgmental one. It internalizes all the negative stuff that people have told us over our lifetime and a lot of times, destroy our self image and make our lives the worst ever.
 
Sharif asks question 30: How are you making the world a better place?
 
Ralph: Well, I’m doing it through the “In Search of Heroes program™”. I’m looking for people like you to create a Mastermind group of people that want to make the world a better place. Ones that actually are good examples that have overcome trials and tribulations in their lives and have basically sacrificed wealth, fame and finances just to basically make a difference in the lives of other people.
 
I firmly believe that God is not going to judge us for how much wealth or material possessions, or how much power that we gain in society, but how we treated the people that He put in our paths. As we went through our lives, we either do good or evil to those people.
 
Sharif asks question 31: Yes. Do you have any good solutions to the problems facing society, especially racism, child and spousal abuse, and violence among young people?
 
Ralph: Absolutely. That’s what the Heroes program is all about, to help people become friends with themselves and learn how to love both of their personalities, their right brain and their left brain. That’s the idea of creating the Bioman and Biowoman, to get people to realize they truly have the ability to become Heroes by first realizing that they have two personalities in their brain and becoming friend with those personalities.
 
Then just loving both of those personalities and accepting that once you become an integrated brain, you can do tremendous things in teaching kids and everybody how the brain actually works to process information. In our schools, it’s mostly left brain teaching that destroys the creativity, and suppresses the creative part of the brain that has super memory and super creativity, that’s just suppressed in the schools.
 
My goal is to teach people how to find their own Hero within, to become friends with both of their brain hemispheres and become Biomen or Biowomen. Then to learn how their brain processes information, and present that information in a way that people can become successful and teach them the aspects of business.
 
They will know that by working correctly, by using their God given abilities and being able to process information in the right way, that they can be incredibly successful. Learn how the tax system works so they can save the money that they have and pay the least amount of taxes and basically give back to society by becoming successful financially.
 
Sharif asks question 32: That’s great. If you had three wishes for your life and the world that would instantly come true, what would they be, Ralph?
 
Ralph: First would be that people would love themselves and love others. The second would be that there would be peace on earth. The third would be that people would realize that there are alternate ways of attaining incredible levels of health and well being rather than the conventional pathways of chemicals and drugs.
 
People would realize that we don’t have to pollute the world to basically achieve the wealth and leisure that we have in the United States and other countries. If people would just realize that there is a natural way to learn, a natural way to heal, and a natural way to take care of our world.
 
Sharif asks question 33: That’s great. What are the things that parents can do that will help their children realize they too can be Heroes, and make a positive impact in the lives of others?
 
Ralph: The thing that they can do is first love themselves, love their kids and give a good example of what parents should do just by showing their kids through example on how it is to live a life that serves others.
 
They are laying their lives down for others by feeding and clothing the kids, making sure they get a good education. Just by being that example and being willing to be the parents, to provide discipline and show the kids that selfishness is not the way to go and that there are certain things that they should actually do.
 
So the parents have to provide discipline, they just can’t be their kids best buddies and want the kids to be their friends. They have to be willing to accept the anger and a lot times hatred of the kids and teaching kids the right way to go.
 
Sharif asks question 34: Well Ralph, what’s next for “In Search of Heroes™?”
 
Ralph: Well, next is to do the In Search of Heroes book that I’m working on right now, the answer to In Search of Heroes on the Internet. The second book will be In Search of Heroes in Medicine with all the answers kids need to realize, and parents too, that can help make such a big difference in the health and lives of themselves and their kids.
 
If we can teach kids how to love themselves, how to utilize their brains to their full power, how to be healthy and successful in business and actually provide a vehicle that they can be successful in publishing and promoting the eBooks they create about the Heroes in their community, we should be able to generate enough income to help people in the communities fund their own programs to make their communities better than they could ever be.
 
Sharif: That’s great! I can’t wait until the book comes out! Again, that’s Ralph Zuranski- In Search of Heroes.
 
Ralph: Thank you so much. I really appreciate your doing this, Sharif.
 
Sharif: Thank you.

Posted by ralph at 11:56 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

If you haven't done it yet, prepare a press release for all the local newspapers in your area. When it comes to actually placing your classified ads avoid your larger metropolitan newspapers. Classified advertising in large newspapers is fruitless for a small business owner unless you happen to rent or sell real estate.

The smaller weekly, bi-weekly or monthly papers are usually easier to work with and cheaper to advertise in. If your business specializes in a particular niche look for specialty newspapers. For instance, some cities have newspapers that targets senior citizens. Another example might be one that specifically appeals to women.

Prepare a list of all the newspapers that you feel would be a good resource for your business. Your first step should be to call or visit each of them and request a “media kit.” What you receive can vary from a single page “rate sheet” to an elaborate portfolio.

Expect the receptionist to attempt to turn you over to a sales rep. Try and avoid speaking to the sales person, but the “gatekeepers” are usually very well trained and will make every attempt to have you speak with a sales person. Whatever happens, do not place any advertising at this point. You are on a fact finding mission only.

Review the material in the media kit. At the very least you should receive a copy of the publication, a rate sheet and a list of upcoming seasonal specials. You may very well receive two separate rate sheets. One will be for “classified ads” and the other will be for “display” ads.

Once you have reviewed all the material you’ve gathered, create a new list of those publications that meet your criteria. One thing to note is the difference in rates between classified and display advertising. Display advertising rates are substantially higher.

Once you have your list ready, call and ask to speak to the sales rep that covers your area. The sales rep wants your advertising and will do whatever is necessary to get it. Their job is to sell ads but a good rep will take the time to help you put together an ad campaign that will meet your budget and expectations.

Negotiate with the sales rep to have your press release run concurrent with a paid display ad. It needn't be a huge ad, just make sure that they are both on the same page and it's large enough to be noticed.

Make a deal for a 12 or 16 week run of a smaller display ad. That will give you "leverage" with the sales rep and they will see you as a potentially serious advertiser, generating substantial ad revenue in the future.

You probably won't be able to get your ad "above the fold" but try. If you are given a choice of below the fold outside or above the fold inside, take below the fold. If they know what they are doing, they won't put ads above the fold anyway.

Pick up any print media and you will see that text is usually above the fold. Ads run from left to right and right to left depending on the page. If you begin at the outside edge of the page to the center (whether it's the left page or the right), the ads will generally be tiered like a pyramid from outside to center sloping downward.

We read from left to right. So if you are on the left side of the paper, you want your ad to be seen first, BEFORE the eyes read the text to follow.

If you are on the right side of the paper, you want to be the last thing they see at the end of a line. So outside is always best. Outside ad placement is reserved for larger sales and are almost always read.

Always ask about “seasonal” specials. Most publications have one or several special inserts or, in some cases, entire issues that are published during specific seasons.

Keep these tips in mind and you should be on your way to successful newspaper advertising!

Posted by ralph at 12:50 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

All successful sales people know that their success is greatly dependent on their ability to effectively prospect. In other words, the "sale" begins here. 100% of all businesses are prospects for you.

You can’t name a legitimate industry that is not a candidate for your web services. Sales are based on numbers. The more business owners you contact, the greater the odds of setting an appointment to meet with them.

The business can be a manufacturer, retailer, wholesaler, lawyer, home improvement contractor or hospital administrator they all have their reasons for needing your web services.

This is why you should have no difficulty in coming up with at least 100 fresh new leads on a weekly basis. It is best to contact prospects on Monday mornings. The more your business grows the more apt you are to begin receiving referrals from your existing customers. That, however, still does not preclude prospecting for new customers.

It’s important to create a prospect lead system. You can do that the old-fashioned way by creating a manual card file using plain 3 x 5 index cards. Or, you can set up a contact management program on your computer.

Whichever method you choose, follow this checklist:

1. Information you will want on each lead:

Name of the business
Address with zip code
Telephone Number
Name(s) of owner(s) with title(s) if available.

2. How to create your 100 leads weekly:

While out on the road, speak into a recorder, listing names of business and other pertinent information that you see while traveling.

Later, while listening to the recorder, transfer the information to a card or your contact management program.

Using the yellow pages, create leads from a variety of businesses.

Visit your local library and use either Contacts Influential, Inside Contacts or any other printed directory and create leads using the geographical section (by zip code) or the SIC (Standard Industry Code) Section. SIC has all businesses grouped together by type, i.e. plumbers, insurance, etc.

3. Newspapers are a terrific source for leads.

Begin to read the newspaper differently than you have in the past. Make note of what businesses are advertising and what they are advertising.

Read the business section for announcements of new businesses.

Read the legal section for listings of new incorporations.

4. Pick up every free print directory you can find. Usually you will find these free papers located in stands outside of frequently visited businesses, like grocery stores and restaurants. They run the gamut by specialty industries like: real estate, senior citizens, automobiles, etc. Quik Quarter and PennySaver are two that come
to mind.

5. Stop throwing away your junk mail! There’s gold in there. Any business who is already actively engaged in advertising is a prospect for your directory. If they are using print media you can be assured that they are accustomed to spending a great deal of money on advertising.

6. Here is a list of additional sources for you. You can probably come up with many more:

Magazines
Radio advertising
TV advertising
Chamber of Commerce Directories
Better Business Bureau Directories
Direct Mail Coupons
Billboards
Church Bulletins
Business cards displayed at
restaurants/laundromats/stores
Trade Shows
Visuals like drive bys and mobile units
Referrals

7. If you use a contact management system on your computer to organize and track your leads, you will still want to have a card file system to use for those leads you obtain from other advertising. Cut out the newspaper ad or coupon and staple to an index card. Organize these leads into a card file system that parallels your contact schedule.

8. Remember to use logical calling times for the businesses you contact. Typically, you would not want to contact a restaurant during their "prime times" like breakfast, lunch or dinner and remember our previous comments about contacting the construction industries.

These are just a few of the resources you can put to work in building your business locally.

Posted by ralph at 12:56 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Developing products can be a challenge in the home based business environment. Where do you go for a laboratory to create and test new product lines? Where do you turn for new packaging and marketing? Where do you turn for help?

You’re there. YOU are the crack team, as Donald Trump says. So forget about looking around. You’re it. Here’s what to do for your own product development.

First find a need. You want sales, so find something people want. How? Communication is the key. Ask your friends, your contacts, your business associates, your clients. See what they could use to make their lives easier. Poll them, survey them, email them, call them. Post questions on forums and chat rooms. Be like television’s Lieutenant Colombo (or the original Pink Panther) and enjoy the search, but don’t give up until you get your answers.

Second, get organized NOW, if you aren’t already. Take good notes as you go along. Keep organized, well-labeled computer and print folders and files in handy places. Use an organizer with a calendar if you need to. Third, create a product based around the need you discovered above. No need to be Einstein or invent the wheel. Search and find others in the industry to help and see how others did their product creation before you. Then copy their methods –not ‘exactly’, but rather ‘similarly follow in their footsteps.’ I.E. read trade journals, search the Internet, review archived magazine articles, ask your local librarian to help you – and research “how to” get your idea off the ground based upon how others have done it in the past. Then team up, share ideas, share resources, share marketing funds and share revenue, etc. with those experienced. Reach out and don’t be afraid to find help and share. No need to go it alone or be greedy.

Third, along the way, get legal or other authoritative help as needed. Start with the Small Business Administration and find out if you need special permits, licensing, fees, contracts, legal structure, etc. Comparison shop, if possible, and get set up properly.

Fourth, there are plenty of ideas to go around. After one success, you can move on and duplicate it again and again. Do it. And give back to the community. Help others get their businesses established and growing.

In summary, product creation can be challenging. But the results can be so rewarding. So take the plunge and forge ahead!

Posted by ralph at 12:27 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

When companies look for outsourcing help, they often look to home based businesses. And although the term ‘home based’ can imply one person working from a house, it can take on a different, larger dimension. And that’s what many companies look for: a larger sized business operation.

What does that mean? In a word, reliability. For example, can you be counted on regularly? Or will there be times when you take on too much work or not enough, need to adjust accordingly – and then… what will happen to their projects?

Well now you can get a grip on your company size and handle workloads large and small. Here are ways that you can increase your home based operations without physically crowding yourself out of workspace or blowing your budget for future project handling opportunities.

Joint Venture – Team up with a partner, company or other entity and help each other. Combine a product with a service – something or yours with something of theirs. Then farm out work as necessary.

Interns / Students – Contact colleges, universities, high schools and other education centers in your area and ask about intern and student opportunities. Many places allow you to participate in their programs; fill out their forms, post flyers, actively recruit, etc. Keep some help on hand and put them to work.

Subcontract – Check with your local Chamber of Commerce, surf the Internet, post for help on forums, etc. Find companies for farming out some of your work and keep their information handy. Give them a try when you’re not too busy, so that when you ARE, you’ll know they are a good fit for your clients and you.

Helpers - Hire part time help. Place an inexpensive classified ad in the local newspaper and search for hourly help. Call the places that leave flyers on or around your mailbox or front porch and have them distribute ‘Help Wanted’ flyers in your neighborhood for you. Call your church, fitness center and / or other organizations with which you participate and have them post a notice on the bulletin board. Get help and keep a list handy of those seeking extra income.

Profit Center – Seek help from others experienced in your chosen field of interest and set up a profit center or two to generate additional opportunities. Many can be automated today so that they are pretty much hands-on. They all you have to do is market. This way, when times get lean, you can increase your marketing efforts. And when times are too busy, you can ease up.

As the Boy Scouts say, Be Prepared! Don’t let your lack of preparation be an excuse for being too small and unreliable.

Posted by ralph at 12:18 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

1. Remove your limits

Reduce your subject to a single core word and then brainstorm around it. For example, if you're trying to write about "Study Skills", expand your thinking to "School". Now jot down everything that comes to mind when you think about School, and when you run out of ideas start asking yourself open questions around the subject and noting your answers.

Examples:

What did I enjoy about school?
What scared me?
What did I wish I'd known from Day 1?

This will help you get back into the mindset of someone struggling with school issues of all kinds and you'll start to get a feel for their concerns and worries.

2. Restore your focus

Once you've started to understand the general feelings of your readers, allow your mind to focus back on your original topic of Study Skills. From your new perspective, what questions would you ask? What would you want to know? Is this really a "Studying" issue or is it more about Time Management or being able to work without distractions or being paralyzed by the fear of not doing well?

3. Be your audience

Write each question on a separate sheet of paper; don't stop until you have at least ten and preferably more. Stay in the mindset of your readers until you feel you've asked every major question that concerns them.

4. Take a step back

Put your pile of question aside for a few hours, overnight if possible. Don't consciously think about them; just go about your day as usual. Give your subconscious time to process them without any further prompting from you. If new questions come to mind jot them down somewhere safe and then forget about them.

5. Get out your pen and write

When you're ready, sit down with your pages of questions and simply start to answer them. Writing your answers by hand can give you access to ideas that might be missed if you type them. Don't edit yourself at this stage. Using Speech to Text software or a digital recorder can also be helpful in bypassing the internal editor.

Imagine someone sitting in front of you asking for advice and just talk to them. Keep your tone natural and conversational and stay with the question-and-answer format.

6. Edit lightly

Trust your first instincts. Proof-read and correct any obvious errors, but don't do any major editing until your piece has had time to "sit" for a while. Again, leaving it overnight will give you a fresh perspective the next time you look at it, but even if your deadline doesn't allow for that it's important to give yourself a break from it.

When you're pushed for time, writing several articles at one sitting can create enough change of focus to make you "forget" the one you've just written.

7. Polish it up

Short articles are unlikely to need major editing if you've written them as described here. They will flow easily and naturally already and having each Q & A on a separate sheet makes it easier to select only the ones you want. Your job now is to put them in a reasonably logical sequence and make sure they're understandable and that the reader is led smoothly from one question and answer to the next.

8. Top and tail it

Write a brief introductory paragraph as a "teaser" for the main article. Many article directories now put the first paragraph of each piece into RSS feeds which are picked up by other websites, so you'll want to make sure that your two or three major keywords appear at least once in that first paragraph.

Write another short paragraph to summarize the major points of the article and provide some ideas for the reader to explore the subject further. Don't of course forget your own resource box: use the format [a href="http://www.yourwebsite.com"]Your Website Name[/a] (replace the square brackets with angle brackets) for your link, so when your article is converted to html your link will automatically be live.

9. Submit it!

Posted by ralph at 01:03 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

"You don't have to get it right. You just have to get it going." -- Mike Litman

The quote above has to be the most important idea for many a business person. It's the antidote to the dread perfectionitis disease that paralyzes you.

Perfectionitis is born of a perfectly reasonable impulse: to produce a quality product.

But it is the "impossible standard" aspect of it that makes it dysfunctional. It is the kind of impulse that makes a parent say "No one's good enough for my Billy" (or Susie). And because getting it perfect is nearly impossible, making public your effort is well nigh impossible.

One of Dan Kennedy's lessons is that half of winning is just showing up! So he and Litman are on the same page.

To have a newsletter and not write to your subscribers is to not show up!

What are the problems with not showing up?

- No one remembers you. Harsh but true. Oh, you may be a memory in passing, but people have their own lives. You are a blip on most people's screens. The only way to become a bigger blip is to show up.

- You miss opportunities to announce and to sell. Does this really need any elaboration? Didn't think so. :)

- You miss opportunities to BUILD on previous opportunities, and so forth.

- You miss chances to establish yourself as an expert in your chosen field.

Besides the inverse of the above, what ADVANTAGES arise from just showing up and communicating to your list?

- You become more comfortable in communicating.

- You build momentum, so that coming up with ideas to communicate is easier.

- You have opportunities to answer the question, "What have you done for me lately."

- You have a store of information which you can archive and then refer your subscribers. For example, you can write, "As I mentioned two weeks ago (url), you can enhance your writing ability by..." And on the archive page, you can advertise. :)

Yes, the tragedies of not showing up are tremendous. Perfectionism can literally KILL your business!

And the benefits of "just showing up" are equally huge.

Moreover, they can cascade and reinforce each other.

So how can you move yourself to "just show up?"

1 - Use Litman's comment at the top of this article to remind yourself that perfectionism is NOT a good pole star.

2 - Write short pieces. You don't have to write Moby Dick. Short pieces that deliver real information that they can use is what people mainly want.

3 - Give yourself a schedule. And stick to it.

4 - Ask for feedback on what you write. You may find that people like it, even though it's not "perfect." And if they criticize, you'll have information on how to improve.

Do these things and perfectionitis will be a thing of the past, for you will more consistently show up.

Posted by ralph at 01:06 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Before writing an article, have you ever felt overwhelmed by a blank sensation, not knowing where to start?

...I'll bet you have!

This checklist should help you eliminate some common problems in writing articles:

1. Have a specific purpose in mind.

Always have a specific purpose in mind before you begin writing: you should be crystal clear about what are you hoping to accomplish by writing your article.
Is it an article clarifying an issue for your customers, to attract prospects, to improve the link popularity for your website?

2. Know your target population.

Before writing an article, conduct research on the target population. What are their experience, their interest, and their wants in the chosen topic? What pain or problem do they try to avoid?

3. Develop a detailed outline first, stressing on the benefits.

Now that you have a purpose and a target, organize your article so that scanning it quickly will show immediately to your reader how he will benefit from it and what are the most important points.

4. Stop your reader in his tracks with your title.

Your title should grab the reader's attention and 'force' him to read your first paragraph. Using your most important benefit usually does it.

5. Start your article with the most important information

Again, do not keep your most important information for the conclusion! Give it immediately and develop on it in the following paragraphs.

6. Keep jargon to a minimum.

If possible, avoid jargon as well as prejudices and insinuations. Write your article so that even a child can understand it.

7. Make your article warm and personal.

Speak direct to the reader. Use a lot of 'you'.
Reading your article, the reader should feel warmth and empathy, knowing that you have the same problems and goals than him.

8. Keep sentences short and simple.

Using short and simple sentences will allow a fluid and easy reading, preventing your reader to get bored.

9. Have someone from the target population critique your article.

Who can give you a better feedback than someone from your target population? It will help you

10. Spend more time rewriting than writing.

Besides formatting your article for easy reading and nice presentation, be sure to use tools or an external editor to carefully proofread your writing for grammatical and spelling errors.

Remember that the more writing you do, the better you will get. After sometimes, when you are in the habit of writing, article writing will not seem as difficult as now!

Posted by ralph at 07:08 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Telling a story or sharing product and service information is fine in an ad. But the bottom line is that you want to close a sale. The difference in ad copy doesn’t have to be earth shattering. It can be very slight, in fact. Here are ways to make your ad a little more effective come closing time.

1. TESTS – Make public knowledge the results of your product and service testing. Share how your items stand up against the competition; how durable they are, how safe. Discuss the quality and unique features. Let people know “why” they should choose your items. And present the material in a professional way with statistics, graphs, before and after photos or other graphic images and a well-written report or case study documented.

2. YOU – While you’re at it, let them know why they should choose you! Don’t hide behind a P.O. Box and Yahoo email address. Add your background information, a nice executive resume, testimonials from clients, work samples, community involvement projects, industry awards, educational courses you continue to take for self improvement, workshops and seminars you attend, etc. let people know who you are. Add a nice, professional photograph of yourself, too, if you like.

3. CHARITY – Tie in a percentage of your sales with one of your favorite charities. And make mention of this in your ad copy. This is a win-win strategy because your company gives back to society plus your clients read about it; it improves your image in their eyes and shares your concerns. And they give, too. Everyone helps each other.

4. GUARANTEE – Include a good, solid guarantee in your offer. For examples, look at the last thing you purchased and check out the guarantee. In a nutshell, make it a lifetime offer and / or give them back MORE than they gave you.

5. PS – Since most people look for this feature, add it! Say something in your P.S. – like give them a Bonus offer if they reply by a certain deadline. Or focus on your best reason why the reader should buy – and NOW.

6. CONTACT – Do include complete contact information – that works! Test any email addresses and telephone numbers before going to press

So next time you need to ace your ad copy, go back over what you wrote and tweak it here and there for improvements. Better yet, have a contest and invite your readers to do it for you! How’s that for a win-win solution?!

Posted by ralph at 12:55 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Your dream is to have your own business and to tell the boss "Good-Bye". An excellent dream to have, a little exciting and a little scary at the same time. Before taking that big step, take a long hard realistic look at yourself and determine "Is this business right for me?"

What is your personality? Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Do you enjoy talking to everyone you see or are you the type that has trouble talking to a stranger? Do you love number crunching, administration, computers, researching, etc.? Are you a leader or a follower? A risk taker? These are important questions to ask yourself? You want your business to match your personality and talents. Look at your business idea, does it match your personality and talents? If it does not, you will struggle to make it a success. Find a business that is right for you.

Do you take criticism well? How well do you listen to others? If you don't know, ask a close family member or friend. You have heard the saying "the customer is always right". No matter what type of business you start, you will have customers. Can you listen constructively and respond without showing anger or a negative attitude? One disgruntled customer can keep many future customers away. One mad employee can destroy your business.

Have you been told "No" lately? Adults seldom are. As you start your business there will be those times that "No" is the answer you receive. Do not take it personally. Take it as another step in your venture to success. Use the "No" to move ahead. Do not allow yourself to lose your momentum.

When you begin your business you will wear many hats, starting with the janitor. How well can you perform all the duties that will be required of you? From planning to organizing to prioritizing, everything depends on you. If your business will have employees, can you interview and select the best applicant without emotions playing a role? Can you fire your sister, brother, daughter, son, best friend, or anyone else you need to fire? Important questions to ask, because there will come a time to let someone go.

Starting your business adds additional financial burdens on you and your family. How do you currently handle this responsibility? Do you pay your bills on time now? Your vendors will only take so many late payments before they classify you as a "cash only" customer. Review your current habits and learn to pay your bills early. Structure your bills so that everything does not come due at the same time. Always alert your vendors if you see that you are going to be late paying.

How soon will you see any income? Leaving the security of a "job" and depending on yourself for 100% of your income is a giant step. Do you have enough funds to get you through four to six months of living expenses? House payment, car payment, utilities, essentials, insurance, etc. Do not forget to factor in what the business will need during this time. Look back over the past six months to a year and average what you have been spending per month. Multiply that by six and add what your business will need. Do you have that much put aside? Make sure that you do. Some businesses will see income the first week, while others may take a few weeks or months to get a steady flow coming in.

Is this business right for you? Find the one that fits your personality and talents and you will enjoy having your own business. Go ahead and tell the boss "Good-Bye".

Posted by ralph at 12:13 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Proper pricing of items to be listed for sale on eBay is one of the most important aspects of generating interest in one’s on-line auction listing.

If the price is too high, interest will be low, and the possibility of a sale decreases.

If the price is too low, the seller generates enormous traffic, yet the final bid might be too low to satisfy the seller’s need for a profit.

The following steps will aid in the process of pricing an item for sale on eBay.

Step 1: Determine How Much the Original Item was Worth

First of all, one must find out how much the item cost when it was new. This helps the seller set realistic goals as to how much they can expect to profit when the item is sold.

The seller must remember that the going price for the item in today’s market will be different from its original price. And depending on the demand for that item, he may get a price that is better, or worse than the original price.

The seller must also acceptance the fact that the buying power of today’s dollar is different from that of ten years ago.

Step 2: Do a Little Research

Sellers should research the current price of similar items. This gives the seller a good standard as to how much they should price their item. Searching eBay for successful auctions of similar items is one of the best ways to do this.

Step 2: How Much Has the Item Depreciated?

The seller must check the item for damages and other irregularities from a mint condition item of the same kind. They must then deduct a reasonable amount from the asking price based on their evaluation. Wear and tear on an item will definitely bring down the price of an item considerably. It is wise to make sure that items are repaired, or spruced-up before being auctioned.

Step 3: Start a Little Lower than Usual When Setting the Selling Price

It is wise to start an auction a step or two (or even three) lower than a sellers intended price. This generates interest in the item. It may be hard to believe, but auctions that start lower than the intended price actually have a better chance of overshooting the intended price.

Professional opinions are always available if the seller of an item is in doubt of the value of his or her item. Third party appraisal companies help in this regard. A list of such companies is available at the Authentication & Grading link under Protection and Authentication on eBay.

Posted by ralph at 06:03 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Wouldn’t it be great to get some good, affordable, reliable help, even though you work out of your home? But finding workers and figuring out where to meet or when to bring them into your home office can pose some difficult juggling, personal and security issues.

A popular solution is outsourcing. When you outsource, you can hire experienced people and let them use their creative talents while you focus on other tasks. Another benefit is that the workers you hire may be more up to date on the latest information and technology in their specific fields and can be assets to your clients, as well, offering improved quality service.

OUTSOURCE

Here are the basics to outsourcing:

Focus:

Focus on outsourcing some of the major tasks of your workload. First, sit down for a breather and look around your ‘To Do’ lists and office area. What CAN you outsource? Which work seems to pile up the most?

For example, maybe you can’t seem to find time to update your website each month. Maybe your newsletter is STILL not getting out regularly. Or perhaps your direct mail campaign is not quite as direct as it should be; i.e. it is sitting directly in the same pile it was three months ago.

Then write out one-page project description for these major tasks. Focus on WHAT exactly you’d want done, WHEN and HOW the end product should turned in to you.

Take Action:

Then look for service providers. For example, with the sample tasks above, find people who can help with Internet websites, newsletter creation and sending out direct mail campaigns. Call round and surf the Internet and ask other home based business operators which companies they recommend. Check forum posts; inquire for advice and suggestions. Shop around for comparisons.

Then set up trial periods and test a couple. Remember, no one is perfect. See who you can communicate with pretty easily and who’s flexible to work as a team player. Check out the quality (and quantity) of their work. Then choose a candidate. Remember, this decision is not carved in stone. And you can always hire the other person as a back up or second helper down the road. So be kind to all who test, make decisions and keep your business moving forward.

ROI:

Make the most out of your investment and get a great return by investing in your time wisely, too. Outsourcing will hopefully free up more time for you to focus on the work you like and allow more time for marketing and advertising, to increase sales and projects. Don’t forget to brush up on your skills and keep up with the industry now, too. Read the latest ezines in your field and take a brush up course or workshop to improve your skills.

Network and seek out joint venture opportunities.

Outsourcing is a great way to help small businesses grow larger while still remaining at home. So reach out and give it a try!

Posted by ralph at 07:56 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Setting up a home office is one of the most important tasks you will face when you make the decision to work from your own home. Your home office can be a corner of your kitchen or living room or, if space permits, a former spare bedroom.

Size is less important that functionality. When deciding on where to set up the nerve center of your business, there are some factors you need to consider.

Is the area well lit?

Proper lighting is extremely important. Spending hours at a time in a dimly lit work space can create eyestrain which, after long periods of time, could lead to more serious problems with your vision.

Are there plenty of electrical outlets?

Take into consideration what appliances you will have in your work space. Your computer system will require an outlet for your cpu, monitor, scanner, printer, speakers (sometimes) and other ancillary equipment you may have.

Is the area well ventilated and dust free?

All of that computer equipment needs to “breath” to remain cool and functioning properly. If you have ever “fried” a computer you know how important it is to keep the fan clean and dust free.

Do you have telephone access?

In addition to having a telephone handy for business purposes, you will also require telephone access for your modem. You may also consider a separate telephone line for your business. It is much easier to track telephone business expenses for tax purposes if you have a separate phone line. It’s also important that your clients can reach you. If your clients have to compete with your teenagers telephone habits, chances are they will call someone else. Make certain that this separate line is set up to receive phone calls while you are online. Most major telephone companies now offer that service. You may pay a few extra dollars a month for it, but it will pay for itself over the long haul.

How much ‘foot traffic” is there liable to be?

You want your office to be as isolated as possible. Can you imagine trying to speak with a client or figure out html code with kids screaming in the background? Not a very professional picture. If you have no choice but to have your office in a high traffic area, adjust your work schedule to coincide with family activities. Sit your family down and explain the importance of your work and why you need their cooperation. It won’t always work out that way but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

It goes without saying that you need to have normal office supplies. Even if your work is online you still need the pens, pencils, note pads and so on.

One of the stickiest challenges you may encounter comes from your friends. People who do not work from home seem to think that if you do, you have all the time in the world to visit. This can become a major problem if you do not set the parameters. Setting out the ground rules is important to the overall health and well being of your business. Let your friends and extended family know your business hours and explain to them that you are not available during those periods of time. The sooner you do this the better.

Conduct your business in a professional manner. Just because you work at home does not mean that you should throw out the rule book. Maybe you have read the humorous comment about “working in your pajamas. It sounds good in sales messages, but the truth is you are much better off if you awaken in the morning and prepare yourself for your work day as if you were still trekking off to the office, because you are.

You will be much better prepared to focus and get down to business if you dress the part. That doesn’t mean that you need to squeeze into the normal “office” attire. It does mean that you set the standards for your business and much of that has to do with “mindset” and self-image. Dressing comfortably is a one of the serendipities of working at home, but you will be much better prepared for business if you dress the part.

I have one final word of advice for the new work at home entrepreneur. Having your office right down the hall can be a blessing, but it can also be a curse. Remember to take time out for yourself. Most people believe that working at home comes with certain privileges, and it does. However, it can also become all-consuming and take total control of your life.

Don’t allow that to happen. Create your schedule and live by it. Make sure you turn off the lights, shut down the computer and “go home” at the end of your work day.

Posted by ralph at 12:00 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

There are at least 3 important steps to a successful plan when working on the internet. These 3 steps can be applied to just about any plan, and when coupled with the right amount of determination and perseverance, will result in success! But remember, you must persevere through the dry spells and difficult times. Everyone has hard times and this is just a fact of life. The key is to keep working toward your goal and never give up.

Three Important Steps

1) Develop the Right Philosophy

The first point is to develop the right philosophy. How you approach your business (and life) will determine your success or failure. Try to always be growing and expanding your horizons in some way. You might want to think about continuing your education or contributing to your local community in some way. (Make sure to set-aside enough money for personal development.)

Most successful people do not blindly follow someone else. They learn, evaluate, and make the necessary adjustments in their approach to career and life. Excellence is the goal, and continuous training and instruction are a very important part of the process.

As you continue to grow and develop, be sure to find other individuals who can help in the process. Good mentors are hard to come by, but indispensible when it comes to personal growth.

2) Decide What You 'Really' Want

Determine your true inner desire and then do it! If you don't really desire to accomplish what it is you are currently doing, when the difficult times arrive you will simply quit. It's a fact of life! Thousands of dollars are lost by people who invest in ill-suited programs which they soon quit. The inner desire and "real" interest were not there in the first place.

Always remember...to be successful you must first determine your true inner desire. Identify what it is that you really want in your career and life. The answers to these questions will lead you to success.

3) Take Action

Do your homework, but by all means step out and do something. Not just anything, mind you...you can actually be busy and not accomplish anything.

Consistent action in the right direction will produce results. It is the law of sowing and reaping. You reap what you sow. In other words, you get what you deserve, not what you need. Plant enough seeds and you will find growth. Ask enough people and someone will join or buy what you are offering.

Posted by ralph at 11:45 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

How to Overcome Procrastination!

Problem:
People procrastinate because many are paralyzed with fear of failure, loss, pain and some, success! What we fear becomes our reality.

Solution
1. Fear is “False Evidence Appearing Real.
2. 90% of what we fear never becomes reality.
3. The best way to overcome fear is to do what we fear.
4. It helps if you visualize the worst case scenario and accept it as a possibility and realize it will probably never come to pass.
5. Our imaginations exaggerate negative fears completely out of proportion and in most cases never occur!

Problem
Few have a strategy to accomplish their goals.

Solution
1. Make a contract with yourself.
2. Identify specific rewards for positive action.
3. Establish certain penalties for procrastination.
4. Break your goals down into small steps.
5. Schedule a time segment for each activity.
6. Give yourself rewards for correct action and penalties when you do not follow through.

Problem
Many have a lack of discipline. It takes 30 days to break old habits and establish new ones.

Solution
1. Create a Success-Habits-Reminder card with boxes for checkmarks to record your daily activities.
2. Tape it to your bathroom mirror.
3. Stick it on your desk to keep track of your actions.

Problem
Most people do not have a plan or assign priorities.

Solution
1. Create a “To Do” List.
2. Determine immediate, intermediate and long-range goals.
3. Plan the goals that are in immediate reach of your abilities and assign priorities: Important & urgent, Important but not urgent, Not urgent or important.
4. Do the urgent & important tasks first.
5. 80% of your activities are not important to your goals.
6. Only 20% are urgent & important.
7. Learn to eliminate the 80% activities that do not help you attain your goals.

Problem
Many try to complete the most urgent & important activities at the last moment.

Solution
Every day schedule a block of prime time to work on an important activity that is due in the future. Soon you will find the time to analyze and polish your projects many times before they come due.

Problem
There never seems to be enough time to contemplate your decisions

Solution
Schedule quiet time to make important decisions. Listen to relaxing music that balances both brain hemispheres. If you do not schedule time for exercise, rest, entertainment, fellowship and prayer your will spin out of control.

Problem
You are overwhelmed.

Solution
Learn to say, “No!” to activities and individuals that do not contribute to the attainment of your goals. Often, people take advantage of your kindness and generosity without ever realizing you have better things to do with your time.

Problem: Most people do not have a master plan.

Solution
1. Create a master list of all personal, spiritual, physical, emotional and financial goals for 1 year.
2. Assign priorities for each.
3. Predict a date for completion.
4. Write everything in pencil so you can change it.

Problem: Few people use an organizer or daytime planner to coordinate their activities.

Solution
1. Transfer the things on your master list to the correct dates in your organizer.
2. Check off each item as it is completed.
3. At the end of each day, reschedule the things that were not completed.
4. If an item is rescheduled twice, you are procrastinating.
5. Ask yourself, “What if I never do this?”
6. If the answer is, “No big deal!” Delete it.

Problem
Some people suffer from perfection paralysis.

Solution
1. Make the decision that you are not perfect and never will be. Everything you do will be imperfect in some way.
2. Realize that if it is worth doing, it’s worth doing wrong until you get it right.
3. Stop judging yourself according to your accomplishments.
4. Learn to trust yourself by developing intuition and following your hunches. You will find your first premonition is usually the correct one.
5. Discover just how right you are by making predictions and observing how a high percentage of them are correct. (Predict the line at the supermarket or bank that will move the fastest and take action accordingly.)
6. Make quick decisions in 20 seconds or less.
7. Make your decisions the correct ones by believing in your choices and acting with confidence.
8. In difficult situations, flip a coin, choose heads or tails and then observe how you feel about the outcome of the toss. Your response to the coin toss will help you make the right decision.

Posted by ralph at 11:49 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

What percentage of prospects come your way as a result of your ad copy? What percentage of sales do you close because of your ads? Well, increase both percentages with some of our tips, tailored to your own ad campaigns.

1. ERRORS – It’s tough to have 100 percent perfect ad copy. Nearly impossible! So tell your readers that whoever spots five errors in your ad copy due to grammar issues or misspelled words, wins a reward. This way your readers will not only be reading your copy longer, increasing the likelihood of purchasing awhile they’re at it, you’ll get editing done at no charge for your revised printing or online publication.

2. YES – Lead your readers to the conclusion you want; that is to say, “Yes” to your offer, by asking them several yes and no questions in your ad copy that have affirmative answers. Have the questions be based on the main offer and focus on what will happen if they do not buy. But don’t set a negative tone by having them reply “No.” Or by the time they’re through reading, they might say, “No” to you!

3. CHARITY – Tie in a percentage of your sales with one of your favorite charities. And make mention of this in your ad copy. This is a win-win strategy because your company gives back to society plus your clients read about it; it improves your image in their eyes and shares your concerns. And they give, too. Everyone helps each other.

4. GUARANTEE – Include a good, solid guarantee in your offer. For examples, look at the last thing you purchased and check out the guarantee. In a nutshell, make it a lifetime offer and / or give them back MORE than they gave you.

5. PS – Since most people look for this feature, add it! Say something in your P.S. – like give them a Bonus offer if they reply by a certain deadline. Or focus on your best reason why the reader should buy – and NOW.

6. CONTACT – Do include complete contact information – that works! Test any email addresses and telephone numbers before going to press

So next time you need to ace your ad copy, go back over what you wrote and tweak it here and there for improvements. Better yet, have a contest and invite your readers to do it for you! How’s that for a win-win solution?!

Posted by ralph at 01:09 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

If you are interested in starting a business, or taking over one, you face a daunting task that carries a level of risk and excitement not possible in the 'employee' world.

If the financial independence of self-employment appeals to you - no boss, no income limits as to time and wage, and the ability to let your personal drive determine your compensation - then you will no doubt be eagerly going over the many options available to release you from your current job.

However, the rush of financial excitement must be tempered by the necessary cost of time, money and effort in properly setting yourself up independently.

Despite income claims made by business opportunity companies, or competing businesses, you must be ready to accept the reality of not seeing personal income for several months - or even years.

Starting a self-employed business on the side, while keeping regular employment as your financial security, is a wise method of ensuring your income.

Another option is to have substantial savings that permit you the freedom to pursue your dreams unencumbered with other employment. However, the savings must also be capable of carrying the costs of developing a business along with providing for your material needs.

Do you also recognize the time that is required in starting your own business? In some ways it is almost unnecessary to bring up the point since your passion will likely drive you to spend many hours in your pursuits. If you have other obligations; family, job, social etc. then you will have to consider if you CAN devote the time needed to get your business off the ground.

Having discussed both money and time, you must recognize that there is much more effort extended BEFORE a business is profitable than at any other time in your business. Yes, once you are getting work and are satisfied with the income level you may be very busy indeed but you will then be compensated for it. When you are still cultivating your business - marketing, doing free jobs, searching for clients and customers - you may not be seeing any income, or a very meager one, which makes your EFFORTS seem immense.

Do not falter! If you come to the point when you are working your hardest and doing everything your business requires but still not seeing monetary results, you may hit a psychological wall. This is where truly entrepreneurial individuals see an obstacle to overcome as opposed to a dead-end to their hard work. Passion for their work and the strong desire to work for themselves overcomes any perceived barriers and moves them to keep going and ultimately becoming very successful.

By persevering you will certainly see the fine fruits of your labors and prove to yourself and others that the benefits of self-employment far outweigh the mediocre status quo of the typical worker's daily grind.

Posted by ralph at 05:40 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Clients who are happy with what they have are your worst enemy.

Happy clients don't complain. Happy clients aren't looking for new solutions. And, happy clients will not spend their money on something they don't need.

'But client satisfaction is the foundation of my business,' you exclaim.

So true! Your client's complete satisfaction should be your ultimate goal. Here is the key question: If a client is satisfied with your product today, will your product meet their changing needs tomorrow?

Change is the only constant in the business universe. Your client's needs change every day and your challenge is to identify those needs that are causing dissatisfaction in their life. Finding and solving these elusive needs will lead to more sales for your business.

Ask yourself, are you searching for new areas of client dissatisfaction for your product or service to solve? Are you focusing your marketing on their needs and desires? Are you positioning yourself as a solution to their problems?

Clients and prospects are always looking to improve their personal condition as they travel through life. It's a natural quality of the human condition. What they currently possess may satisfy them today but that is sure to change. Within this change resides opportunities for you.

Your growth and prosperity will come from the unsatisfied and the needy. These are the people who may or may not know they need a solution. It is your job to uncover their hidden needs and supply the solution.

So you ask, 'If they are satisfied now, I need to create a new dissatisfaction?'

No, you are not necessarily creating the dissatisfaction but uncovering it for them to see. When you think about it, we all live in a state of ignorance throughout our daily lives. We don't realize that we need what we don't have. Simply put, you cannot satisfy a need until you know that you have one in the first place.

For example, not too long ago there was a time when computers did not exist. We were unaware of the influence and benefits that these machines would have on our daily lives. Yet we survived without them in blissful ignorance as we plodded through the workday. Today, you can't run a business without a computer on your desk!

The computer industry uncovered a whole host of reasons that we were dissatisfied: streamlining document processing, efficiently transferring data, communicating instantaneously anywhere in the world, and having vast amounts of information available at the click of a mouse. Indeed, these needs always existed somewhat, but the marketplace didn't know it needed the productivity a computer offered.

The catalyst to discovering these unknown needs are imagination and innovation. You must find the dissatisfaction and creatively communicate your solution to the client. Until you make this discovery, happy clients are not interested in purchasing more from you. Your goal must be to find an offering that fills a need, solves a problem, or improves their condition.

Creating the products and services that put an end to their current dissatisfactions is the best way to insure continued business growth.

Become a leader and innovator within your industry. With this strategy you will position your business as a valuable resource that is trusted and looked on as the best choice in the market. This makes sales much easier, decreases your enemies, and greatly increases your success.

Posted by ralph at 12:44 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

You’ve spent endless nights hammering away at your book. You’ve rewritten it, you’ve edited it, and you had it professionally proofed. Your baby is finally done and you’re ready to send your precious manuscript off to a publisher, thinking that writing it was the hardest part. Wrong!

Actually, getting your blood, sweat and tears published may be the hardest part of the whole process. You’ll need to determine if a publisher will be required, or if you’d rather self-publish your book. There are pros and cons to both sides, some of which are discussed below.

To work with a publisher, you’ll need to send out query letters and/or a book proposal. This is a letter or a few pages briefly describing your text, why it is unique, characteristics of your target market and how you can help market the book. Most publishers don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts, so you’ll need to convince them to read yours. If they request that you forward your entire manuscript, you have one foot in the door. Be prepared to send more than one query and don’t expect a response next week.

There are writer's guides that serve as excellent resources to find publishers who specialize in your particular genre. These guides list the percentage of new authors published as well as the percentage of sales they pay. You may find pay rates ranging from 5-10% of sales. Some pay on wholesale sales and others on the retail amount. Do the math. Perhaps your book will retail for $14.95 and the publisher will pay 6% on retail. This means you will earn 90 cents per book sold. Of course don’t forget that the publisher is doing all the printing, distributing, and marketing of your text.

Another route you may want to consider is self-publishing. You will be responsible for all the printing, distributing and marketing costs involved, but you will also get to retain all the profits. There are book printing companies as well as companies that specialize in assisting the self-publisher through every step along the way.

Finally, there’s age old debate about which method is better; using a publishing company or self publishing your own book. You know your situation and you know what will work best for you. You’ll want to consider how much time or money you have to invest in the project. That should give you an idea which route to take. Using a publisher takes less time on your part, but you’ll forfeit some of the royalties by using this method. If you self publish, you’ll have to pay "up front" and do the initial work to get the ball rolling on sales of your book.

Either way, publishing is your call. With a little persistance and hard work you CAN get your book to Market. So, go for it!!

Posted by ralph at 06:11 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Every entrepreneur knows that setting goals is crucial to business success. If you don't know where you're going, how will you know when you've arrived? Or, more importantly, when you're heading in completely the wrong direction?

If you're the owner of a small business, what is your goal? To make it to the end of the month with enough money in the bank to cover the payroll? To take a holiday for the first time in five years?

Every small business owner should have the same goal - sooner or later, to become independent of the business. Small businesses turn into big businesses only when they are able to operate smoothly without the owner being present. When you can stay away for a week, or a month, or a year, and return to find the business running better than before you left, you have the opportunity to do whatever you like - sell the business and start a new one, retire, buy a yacht and sail around the world.

True financial independence is the ability to live your life doing what YOU want to do. Do you really want to show up for work an hour early every day, leave late at night and never take a holiday, for the rest of your life? Surely not.

What is the key to being able to walk away?

It's simple. You need a system in place so that everyone in your business knows exactly what's expected of them.

When you take on a new employee, how do they learn what they're expected to do? Does an existing employee take them in charge, explaining how things work? How can you be sure that the new employee is learning what you want them to know?

As the owner of the business, it's your job to ensure that a system is put in place as the business grows. The system will ensure that everyone knows what they need to know to do their job effectively.

How do you think companies like McDonald's are able to manage thousands of restaurants across the planet? McDonald's Head Office doesn't sell hamburgers. They sell franchises, and their customers are the franchisees. The most valuable asset they have is their system. It regulates what employees wear, the words they say to customers, how many seconds a patty is left on the grill. to variables within their business, every contingency is dictated by the system.

The system makes it possible for new employees to fit in. They are educated on 'how we do things around here'. They are taught the specifics of their job. They may be required to sign a performance agreement.

In a well-designed system, there is still space for individual creativity. Better ways of doing things should always be sought out and encouraged - and written into the system for the future.

The system provides the framework for ensuring that the business is never entirely dependent on any one person. If you own the business, your future depends on the quality of your system.

Posted by ralph at 07:01 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Taking advantage of a home-based business opportunity can afford you many benefits. There are not only the monetary benefits, but lifestyle benefits as well. Whether lifestyle or monetary, these benefits can be far greater than the benefits you receive working for an employer. If you are already working in your own home-based business or just entertaining the idea, be sure to evaluate your options and consider the value of the benefits you will receive. Home-based business opportunities can provide you with independence and financial freedom if you make smart decisions.

It is not always money that motivates people to start a home-based business. Sometimes the intangible benefits are more important factors when considering home-based business opportunities. One of the more powerful draws to working from home is the sense of freedom you gain. You can set your own schedule, work the hours that are most convenient for you, and have time available for family obligations and leisure activities. Parents with children in school often think about what home-based business opportunities may be available to them. Teacher conferences, after school activities and the ability to be home when the children are out of school are strong motivators in making the decision to start a home-based business. Working from home gives you the benefit of flexible hours and the freedom to adjust your schedule according to the needs of your family.

Stress reduction is another benefit of operating a home-based business. Any business will likely produce its own kind of stress, but certain stressful factors can be avoided when you take advantage of the more promising home business opportunities that are available to you. You will have no daily commute, you will save money on gas and automobile expenses, and you will have the extra time in the morning and evening to relax and interact with your family instead of spending that time getting to and from work. If you plan properly and budget your time wisely, being your own boss can reduce the stress you feel due to constant demands and co-worker interruptions.

A home-based business opportunity cannot only give you the benefit of earning money while working from your home it can give you many other benefits as well. A home-based business is the perfect chance for you to attain financial and personal freedom. There are numerous home-based business opportunities available to you. Research each one carefully and make sure you are willing to put forth the effort that will be required in order to succeed.

Posted by ralph at 08:01 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

If you spend any time online, you have probably seen something like this: "ARE YOU SURCHING FOR A GAURANTEED BUSSINESS OPPERTUNITY? DOWNLAOD HERE" That may be extreme. Unfortunately it's not at all unusual.

One of the first lessons we're taught is to "wash behind your ears".

We also "don't air our dirty laundry in public".

Who hasn't heard the axiom: "You never get a SECOND CHANCE to make a GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION"?

Why then do so many Internet Marketers insist on ignoring these simple guidelines?

Instead of an attention grabbing introduction, that offensive headline simply sets off all the bells, whistles and sirens which proclaim: "dirty ears, dirty laundry and a lousy first impression---probably a lousy product". Nearly all serious prospects will instantly surf away from such flagrant carelessness.

Proofreading isn't all that difficult. If you're not comfortable doing it yourself, find a friend.....or HIRE someone. Writing good copy is a challenge. Creating an effective website can take weeks or months.

Can you afford to throw away all that work over a few "typos", misspellings and missed punctuation marks?

Spell checkers are not the final answer either. Although they would have corrected the offending headline, they don't differentiate among "their", "they're" or "there". "Too", "two" and "to" are treated equally; so are "your" and "you're".

There is no substitute for intense and accurate proofreading. You also must realize that your own "proofing" becomes less effective with each read through. Your brain and eyes are already conditioned to see what you meant, and not always what you actually created. It is much more effective to have someone who is not familiar with your copy do additional proofreading for you.

Don't hesitate to call on friends and family. My ten year old granddaughter is one of my regulars. She loves to help in any way that she can; and I suspect that she gets a certain thrill out of catching "Poppy" in yet another "goof". Once she is finished proofing the copy, there is the bonus that I can then ask her to explain what she has just read. All too often, what seems so clear to me when I write it turns out to be not nearly so understandable to the reader.

I then ask "the light of my life" to read the copy aloud. Actually hearing what I have written turns out to be one of the most effective ways of finding the need for additional editing.

Nearly everything I publish these days goes out with the disclaimer: "Dear Reader, I spent eight years in a Catholic grade school. I am accustomed to having my knuckles smacked with a 12 inch wooden ruler for making spelling, punctuation and grammar errors. When you find the errors that my proofreading crew and I have missed, please bring them to our attention. A gentle reminder from you won't hurt a bit, and it beats the hell out of bloody knuckles."

So much for my methods. There are professional proofreading services available. Just consider them a necessary part of doing business. A quick "Google" for "proofreaders" just returned 304,000 possibilities. (Make that 304,001 if you want to include my granddaughter.)

A quick recap: PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD. Then PROOFREAD AGAIN........

.....and don't forget to wash behind your ears.

Posted by ralph at 08:38 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Raising capital to start a new business may seem like a daunting task, but it need not be overwhelming if you follow a few basic business practices. If you have a viable idea that will net a return for your investors and prepare a compelling business plan the chances are good that you can find investors to join you.

Your first task is to create a business plan, sometimes known as a “business proposal” or “prospectus.” Your business plan needs to be very detailed and concise. You should include information about your educational background, experience and training in the area of business you are contemplating. Just like a resume for a job, include references and any other favorable personal qualities that you feel reinforce the reasons why an investor should trust in your ideas.

It can’t hurt to include any information you feel comfortable sharing with regard to your positive credit history. If you have records of various satisfied loans along with the payment history, that information could be helpful to prove your stability with regard to financial obligations.

If you are requesting financing for an existing business the rules are a bit different than a new business startup. The current owner should be able to provide you with profit and loss statements. If you are purchasing an online business, statistical information pertaining to traffic, number of units sold and paid advertising are definitely necessary. The purchase price of the business needs to be included along with detailed information about how you intend to service the debt as well as how the potential investor will benefit from your request.

If you are seeking investors for a new business, the information required increases. In addition to the information outlined above, you will need to include market research, projected costs and a detailed summary of how you intend to generate income. This information needs to be projected for a period of three to five years. It’s a good idea to project your expenses on the high side.

Have some idea of what you expect to pay your investor. The only reason someone is going to lend you money is if they can see decent profits in exchange for lending it to you. Your market research had best substantiate that your plan is viable and will provide them with sufficient return on investment to justify their involvement.

Before you begin your search for investors, it’s a good idea to have an attorney and/or accountant take a look at your plan. A good professional may suggest specific points that you may have overlooked.

Once your paperwork is in order, it’s time to start looking for investors. One place to begin your search might be friends or family. You might approach them singularly or in a group. Whatever method, you need to have a complete copy of your proposal carefully outlining your research and what they can expect in return for their assistance.

Read the classified pages of your local newspaper. Venture capitalists often advertise this way. Their rates are usually pretty high because they have a tendency to take on “risky” investments. A twist on this method might be to run your own ad either locally or nationally. If you select this method, explain the particulars and emphasize how much they can expect to receive for the load of their funds.

Use local business directories to find companies that specialize in “investment services.” You can approach a local bank, but try and find a bank that specializes in industrial or business type loans.

You might consider incorporating and selling stock in the company.

Another option might be a “money broker.” This can be risky. There are some legitimate brokers and others who operate on the shady side.

Be creative. If you believe in your idea, don’t be afraid to do what ever it takes to launch. There are plenty of ways to come up with the capital you need. Think outside the box. Whether you are looking for $300 or $300,000 the money is there you just need to dig for it.

Posted by ralph at 09:37 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

If you're thinking about getting outside or equity capital to help fund your business, there are some things you need to do first, that can make your business more attractive to investors. Follow these simple ideas, and you'll be well on your way to raising the money you need.

First, always talk to a qualified business attorney (not your family lawyer). There are a lot of laws pertaining to how equity capital can be raised from the public, and the laws change often. You need someone who understands not only these laws, but also how to make sure that any business contracts are written to protect you and your business, especially the fine print.

1. Getting money from relatives. Yes, it can seem like begging, and it's a difficult thing to have to swallow your pride. Surprisingly, in a recent survey, almost 30% of entrepreneurs said that they raised all or part of the capital they needed through family members. If this is your choice, make sure that you have your attorney draw up a regular business contract. When approaching family members, talk to them about their investment the same way you would any other outside investor. Tell them about how much money they can make, not about how much you need their help. And make sure that you keep to your end of the agreement.

2. Using your savings or credit cards. This is the most common way for entrepreneurs to raise needed business capital. Before choosing this method however, talk with your financial advisor. You want to look at the long-term consequences of using your savings, life insurance or credit cards, especially in the event that your business venture fails, or does not bring in the projected return on investment (ROI). If you do end up financing your project using credit cards, make sure that you shop around first, and find the card that will offer you the best rate and gives you the most "bang" for your buck.

3. Venture Capital and Angel Investors. Before even looking for venture capital, look at your company from an outsider's point of view. Ask yourself these questions: Does your company have a solid track record? (Most venture capitalists don't invest in start up companies). Does your company have the potential of becoming very large in the next five to seven years? (People don't invest in your company out of the goodness of their hearts. They're looking for a return on their investment -- the larger the better.) Does your company own a good percentage of its market, or does it stand to gain a large percentage in the next 12 to 18 months? (Contrary to popular belief, your company doesn't have to be involved in high tech to attract venture capital). If you can answer yes to the above questions, your next step is to find a venture capital firm whose ideals and goals are in line with yours. Your next step should be to look at your "circle of influence" and see if you know someone who can give you a personal introduction to someone at the venture capital firm. (People invest in people, not just companies.)

4. Potential or Current Employees. Surprisingly, one of the most common ways (especially for new companies) to raise equity capital, is by inviting your potential or current employees the opportunity to become investors. With this method, not only do you get a really committed workforce, but many equity employees are also willing to accept a below-market wage in the beginning (especially if you do the same). There are other benefits, but this choice is not without its pitfalls as well. Again, before going this route, talk to your business attorney, and put policies into place that plan for potential problems. For example, what do you do if an employee's work becomes substandard? Or an employee quits and goes into competition with you after learning all of the company secrets? Putting a risk management plan into place and considering all contingencies is your best bet for this option.

5. Taking your company public. Although security laws in the U.S. have made it easier for companies to go public, and offer stock as a way to raise needed funds, this is still probably the most risky choice. It is usually not a recommended option for very new or very small companies. Because of the number of legal issues involved, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney beforehand is vital. There is also a lot of stress involved in running a public company, and a considerable loss of autonomy and control. Before making this choice, be absolutely sure that this is the wisest course of action for your business.

No matter which choice you make in looking for equity capital, by planning ahead, doing your homework and following the advice of your attorney, you'll increase the probability of raising the money you need and making the relationship between you and your investors a profitable one.

Posted by ralph at 11:35 AM | Permalink

Question: Ralph, "What is your definition of heroism?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "Heroes to me, are the ordinary men, women and younger people that try to make the world a better place in some way. Age or celebrity are not necessarily characteristics of heroes. Race and creed are definitely not characteristics. The true test for a hero how they treat others who can do nothing for them."

Question: Ralph, "How do people become heroes?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "When unselfishly, you have positively touched another's life. Doing something for others, for someone who can never repay you, now that is a characteristic of a hero. Most of the time, those acts of heroism are only known to the hero and the recipient."

Question: Ralph, "Where are heroes located?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "Heroes can be anywhere. The workplace, schools, or the community. If you leave the comfort of your house today you will see them just walking down the street."

Question: Ralph, "How do you recognize those heroes you see."

Answer: Bob Silber, "Too often you don't. Heroes come in all ages, sexes, shapes and sizes. Heroes don't act because of recognition or rewards. Heroes act because it is in the makeup of their soul, their hearts. They are the true unsung heroes of the world."

Question: Ralph, "How are you making the world a better place?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "I try to give back, on a daily basis, for the blessings in my life. Beyond that, I also consciously try to put a smile on the faces of everyone that I can. You can do that with little acts of kindness. A simple thing like taking the time to recognize the other person you come in contact with has feelings too."

Question: Ralph, "Do you have the courage to pursue new ideas?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "To a fault. I pursue new ideas routinely, taking risks when a more prudent action would dictate otherwise."

Question: Ralph, "Are you an optimist?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "Yes."

Question: Ralph, "Do you take a positive view of setbacks, misfortunes and mistakes?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "I do. I treat setbacks, misfortunes and mistakes as a learning experience."

Question: Ralph, "What is your perspective on goodness, ethics and moral behavior?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "I believe in the karmic action of the universe, as practiced in Hinduism & Buddhism. The total effect of a person's actions and conduct during the successive phases of the person's existence, regarded as determining the person's destiny. In our religions it is the do unto others philosophy as you would have them do unto you."

Question: Ralph, "Do you have a dream or vision that sets the course of your life?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "I was lucky enough to realize my dreams. First by police work and then law school. My course in life is to do the things in life that I enjoy as long as it doesn't harm others."

Question: Ralph, "Were you willing to experience discomfort in the pursuit of your dream?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "My personal dream was to be in law enforcement and then to be a lawyer. Both were difficult goals."

Question: Ralph, "Did you believe your dreams would eventually become reality?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "Yes, as long as I actively pursued those dreams and did what was required of me, no matter how difficult."

Question: Ralph, " How were you able to overcome your doubts and fears?

Answer: Bob Silber, " Knowing I could start over if the worst happened. Failure can be a learning experience if you choose to make it so.

Question: Ralph, "Do you experience service to others as a source of joy?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "It is. You come to realize that true joy, is giving back to others, whenever you can and in whatever way you are able."

Question: Ralph, "Do you maintain your sense of humor in the face of serious problems?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "Always. If you can laugh about things, you will find it is a great equalizer."

Question: Ralph, "Why are HEROES so important in the lives of young people?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "Heroes are important in the lives of all of us."

Question: Ralph, "What are the things parents can do that will help their children realize they too can be HEROES and make a positive impact on the lives of others?"

Answer: Bob Silber, "Be a positive role model, that is most important. Teach as We all learn from those around us. We all make poor choices at times but break the cycle (abuse, alcohol, drugs) and realize that there but for the grace of god go I."

Question: Ralph, " Do you have any closing thoughts?"

Answer: Bob Silber, " One of my favorite quotes is by --Martin Luther King Jr.-- He said it eloquently, 'If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven played music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'"

I love those thoughts. You can apply that to anything. Apply it to being a hero to others in your everyday life. When you see someone in trouble, in pain, in difficulty, remember that they are brothers and sisters whose burdens are also ours to bear. Each one of us has the power to make the world a better place.

Thank you Ralph!"

Continue reading ""Bob Silber's In Search of Heroes Was Totally Awesome" by Ralph Zuranski" »

Posted by ralph at 07:21 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Studies have shown that successful entrepreneurs possess these characteristics:

1. Self-confidence

This is that magical power of having confidence in oneself and in one's powers and abilities.

2. Achievement Oriented

Results are gained by focused and sustained effort. They concentrate on achieving a specific goal, not just accomplishing a string of unrelated tasks.

3. Risk Taker

They realize that there is a chance of loss inherent in achieving their goals, yet they have the confidence necessary to take calculated risks to achieve their goals.

Entrepreneurs are people who will make decisions, take action, and think that they can control their own destinies. They are often motivated by a spirit of independence which leads them to believe that their success depends on raw effort and hard work, not luck.

So which of these three main characteristics is the most important? Believe it or not, it has to be self-confidence. Without self-confidence, nothing else is possible. If you don't believe in your abilities, then the first challenge that arises may knock you off the path to achieving your goals. Here are a few things to keep in mind for maintaining a higher level of self-confidence.

Positive Thinking

Well, it all starts with a positive attitude, doesn't it? Believing that something good will happen is the first step. Negative thinking simply is not allowed. You must truly believe that there are no circumstances strong enough to deter you from reaching your goals. Remember too, that positive thinking can be contagious. When positive thinking spreads, it can open doors to new ideas, customers, friends, etc.

Persistent Action

Now all of the positive thinking and believing in the world is useless if it is not applied towards a goal. You have to take action, no excuses are allowed. This action must also be persistent. Trying once and then giving up is not going to be enough. Keep at it one step at a time. If you can't get by a certain step, then find a creative way to try again or just go around it.

At the beginning of this article we identified a few traits that are common among successful entrepreneurs. You should be able to look ahead and see yourself where you want to be. Now just maintain a strong belief in yourself and your skills, stick with it, and don't give up. If you can do that, you're already half way there!

Posted by ralph at 06:34 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

A radical departure from the usual business / marketing / make-money banter, Ralph asks very personal questions about faith and ethics; success, freedom, social responsibility and values. Perry talks candidly about his father's death, his philosophy of life, travels in developing countries, racism, and views on spirituality. Listen to or download Part 1 - Part 2 (1 hour 40 minutes total).

Ralph Zuranski: Hi. This is Ralph Zuranski. I’m speaking with Perry Marshall. He is considered the king of AdWords, of working on Google and generating income for his clients.

He has written many courses to teach people how to gain the same success that he has and minimizing the amount of investments that people make in pay per click advertisements and maximize the gain. How are you doing today, Perry?

Perry Marshall I’m doing great. It’s good to be on.

Ralph Zuranski: Well good. The reason I chose you to be one of the heroes is your desire to provide quality service and products above and beyond the call of duty. So maybe you could explain a little more in detail what it is that you do.

Perry Marshall: Well, in the bigger picture I’m a direct marketer. I help people sell at a distance, sell through media. That’s become more and more and more important compared to decades ago or a century ago.

Before telephone and television and radio and everything, all selling had to be done face to face. Before the post office it had to be hand delivered at best.

But technology has brought about a whole completely different way of people doing business with each other. Of course now you can stick up a web site and anybody in the world can access it.

With tools like Google you can pay them $5 and start advertising on their Ad-words program and people can find out about it almost instantly almost anywhere in the world. The communication tools that we have now are so incredibly powerful it’s really bewildering to people.

There are two aspects to that. One is more of the technical aspect which is constantly changing but is usually something you can hire somebody to do for you for not a huge amount of money.

But the other aspect of it is how do you actually communicate this to people? How do you persuade people?

When I left my job four years ago I started consulting with sales people, for the most part, on how to not do cold calls any more. I told them how to advertise in such a way that people come to them instead of them chasing the customer.

Then later that year Google AdWords came out and I became intrigued with it really quickly. About a year later I started publishing courses on it.

But basically AdWords is Google’s advertising system. It’s the right side of a page on a Google search where you see the little sponsored listings.

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Those ads are triggered by keywords. An advertiser pays when a person clicks. That became a fascinating microcosm and it’s turned into a very, very important thing on the entire internet.

I don’t remember the exact numbers but it’s a good healthy double-digit percentage of all internet advertising. It’s one of those things where you can lose your shirt if you don’t know what you are doing or you can have enormous leverage if you do.

It’s an exciting time to be alive.

Ralph Zuranski: I was particularly impressed with just your quality and your style and your integrity. I was curious what was your definition of heroism?

Perry Marshall: I guess it’s doing the right thing regardless of the consequences. That suggests that there are principles that are above and beyond the immediate concerns of safety or expediency.

Usually the word “hero” refers to someone who saved someone’s life. Such as the men at Pearl Harbor who helped others get out of the boat and got stuck there and drowned. That is what heroism is.

In today’s business I think there is a very pervasive culture in the marketing world that says that whatever B.S. you have to make up to get the transaction done is okay. And even a more subtle belief that truth itself is a very relative thing. ‘What is true for you is not true for me.’

So what you end up with is, you have a lot of people who really don’t have any appreciation for the Golden Rule and don’t really treat customers the way they would want to be treated. It makes people cynical and untrusting.

I think the biggest thing that anybody in the marketing profession deals with is cynicism and distrust.

We have all this stuff about Deep Throat in the news today, right? 30 years ago Richard Nixon lied to the American public and everybody was just shocked. Now you have Bill Clinton lying about the Lewinsky thing.

You have the Bush administration obviously fabricating things to get us into the Iraqi war. I’m not going to get into the politics of any of this. But nobody is particularly shocked or surprised today if somebody is lying to them.

So it creates this cynicism inflation in the world that becomes harder and harder to overcome. If you make things up and couch them in very believable language in order to overcome somebody’s skepticism, then when they find out the truth, all you have done is you have contributed to cynicism inflation. You have made it harder for them to believe anything you say later.

On the other hand, if you are exceptionally truthful about things then your customers over time will discover what is true of you and they will believe you when they don’t believe others. That’s kind of a long answer to a short question but I think it is important.

It’s interesting you are asking me all this stuff because these topics rarely come up. Everybody wants to talk about tricks and techniques and clever ways of saying things and clever ways of getting internet traffic.

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But let’s talk about some really simple things here. That’s what we are talking about today.

Ralph Zuranski: Yes, it’s important to know who people are and what they actually believe. That’s one of the reasons for the heroes program, the people that I’m interviewing.

People can learn a great deal when you hear the people who are trying to market this stuff answer questions that have real depth and meaning. So the next question I want to ask you is did you ever create a secret hero in your mind that helped you deal with life’s difficulties?

Perry Marshall: That’s a great question. It triggers all kinds of possible answers. I think everybody has what might be called alter egos. People you envision in your mind. Like what would this guy do, or what would that lady do, or whatever.

I think in the midst of all this chaos it’s kind of interesting that people wear a little armband that says, “WWJD, what would Jesus do.” I think the truth be told the average person doesn’t have a huge amount of knowledge about Jesus.

But even people who have only a passing familiarity with Jesus somehow intuitively know that he was a guy who would not advocate violence but is someone who would advocate honesty. He is someone who would be a hero and would sacrifice the immediate safety or convenience for a larger purpose.

That is really what the whole Jesus story is about. Certainly for me, Jesus is in the forefront when I think about things like that.

There are other things, too. I was thinking not too long ago about my parents. My dad died almost 20 years ago.

But when I was a teenager my parents went through a horrendous period in their marriage. My mom had a psychiatric disorder and it caused her to behave very strangely.

Anybody who has had a person with a psychiatric problem living at home would relate to this. It can be very weird and very stressful.

I remember me and my brother and sister having a little pow-wow with my dad. We told him we thought he should just leave her and her silly perception of what is going on and go have a real life.

He steadfastly refused to do that. He said, “No, I stood up in front of God and a whole bunch of people and said I would stick with her till death do us part and that is exactly what I am going to do. Because when you make a promise, you keep it.”

When things like that happen at the time it is like, “Okay, I guess Mom and Dad are going to grind through this.”

But later, when I got into college, I majored in Electrical Engineering. It didn’t take too long to see that I was on a very steep learning curve. The first couple of years the freshmen and sophomore classes were weed-out classes where 40-60% of the class would fail.

You would stay up all night just to get a C, not to mention a B or an A. And on top of that, it was really rudimentary material like Calculus and all that.

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I didn’t really find much of it particularly interesting, either. It didn’t get interesting until my junior and senior year. It was just a big grind and I wanted to quit.

But for some reason I didn’t. There was some part of me that would not give me permission to go do something easier. Because I knew deep down that I really belonged there.

I really needed to master the stuff and get the hard stuff out of the way to do the fun stuff later. But you had to master the basics before you could do the more creative things.

I think my dad’s persistence in the face of adversity probably had a lot to do with me sticking it through. And today I’m very glad.

What I was thinking at the time when I was in college was I would much rather be majoring in English or something. That stuff came a lot easier to me than the math and the science did.

I was very interested in the math and science. I had some very specific reasons why I was there. But it just did not come as naturally to me as writing papers, which I thought was a lot more fun.

But I stuck with it. Today I don’t spend most of my time doing math problems. I spend most of my time writing copy and being a communicator and really operating in my talent zone.

But one of the reasons that I’m good at what I do as an internet marketer is I developed the analytical side. I’m very glad today that I ground through all that engineering stuff.

I can pick up a physics journal or a math book or something like that and understand it. I understand what it’s talking about. Some of my marketing projects get me into more advanced mathematics like the Taguchi Method and stuff like that.

It’s really nice when you have something under your belt and you have mastered it. You don’t use it every day, but when you do need to use it it’s there.

In business, it differentiates me from others who do what I do who maybe don’t have that analytical capacity.

Again, another long answer to a short question but I think at the root of everybody’s life is certain principles and values that you either believe in or don’t believe in. Things that you subscribe to or don’t.

They definitely affect everything else that you do. But most people never directly see those. And most people never ask about them or talk about them but they are there.

Ralph Zuranski: I agree. Your dad gave you a great example of what true commitment and being a person of your word. That is so critical to have any integrity in the businesses that you are involved in.

Their integrity seems to be one of the major considerations that I had when I chose people who I thought were heroes. Do you believe there are certain principles that you believe people should be willing to sacrifice their lives for?

Perry Marshall: Yes, I do. It’s very interesting you would ask me that question. Just last night my wife and I went to a play. I think it was called “Big Time.” I’m sure it’s kind of obscure.

It was about this guy, Paul, who works on Wall Street. He has the big office and works in the big company. The world bends to his will because he is wealthy and powerful. He’s a young, successful guy.

All the characters in the play are in this category. They are all living this kind of shallow existence and they’re all kind of petty.

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Paul has these fights with his girlfriend that shows this pettiness. If he doesn’t get his way he tells her that she is the loser.

She decides that she is not sure about him and tells him that. He bursts out in this tirade about what a loser she is and if she wasn’t such a loser she would realize how important he is and how much he is helping her.

This is proof positive that she shouldn’t be with this guy. And proof positive that he doesn’t love her at all, because if you love someone you don’t call them a loser and treat them that way.

In this story Paul has dealings with a Minister of Finance from somewhere in South America, Venezuela I think. And the country is in turmoil. It’s a big deal and there is a lot of money involved.

The implication is that this is all tainted money that was probably stolen from poor people and it is all corrupt government slush fund. But of course Paul doesn’t really care about that.

So he goes down to Venezuela. He goes down there to meet with this guy and in the middle of this meeting the government caves in. One of the rebels who helped overthrow the government kidnaps Paul.

So Paul is in this room with the kidnapper who is wearing this military uniform and is pacing back and forth. So now you have this young business man dude in a shirt and tie, locked in a concrete cell in Venezuela.

It turns out the guy who kidnapped him went to school in the U.S. and is probably a lot smarter and more educated than most people would assume. This rebel had his reasons for being part of a group that overthrew the government. The government was corrupt and was oppressing people. The rebel says to Paul, “I’m fighting for freedom. I’m fighting for what I believe is right and I’m willing to die for it.

“Is there anything you are willing to die for?”

Paul just stares back at him like he is speaking gibberish. So he repeats, “Is there anything you are willing to die for?”

Paul came down there to do a financial deal, right? So what is his life all about?

So he asks again, “I said, is there anything you would be willing to die for?” And Paul says, “No.”

I think that line was the whole point of the whole story. That if there wasn’t anything you would be willing to die for, if there wasn’t anything you would sacrifice for, it’s because you believe that you are the center of the universe. And everything is supposed to revolve around you.

That’s why everyone in this play acts like the world revolves around them, which is why no one can get along with each other because there is no sense of higher purpose. There is no sense of honor. There is no sense of decency. There is just me, me, me, me, me.

The only reason we live in a free country is because people paid with their lives believing that the freedom of their children, the future of their country, was more important than they themselves were.

Ralph Zuranski: That is so true. I think that a lot of people don’t ever get to that point where they think of what would they die for. Or even more importantly, what would they live for? Not until they have experienced the lowest point in their life.

What was the lowest point in your life and how did you change your life and how did you change your life to win a victory over those obstacles?

Perry Marshall: That’s a good question. Everybody has different hard spots in their life. They are always hard for different reasons and lots of times you can’t compare one to the other.

My dad died when I was 17. There was a three year process of fighting cancer and the emotional roller coaster of “Dad is going to be okay, Dad’s not going to be okay, Dad’s going to be okay” and all that.

Most people, by the time they are well into adulthood have probably experienced that with somebody. I remember being really upset about that.

I remember having this conversation with my mom where I said, “Well, I guess God gave me a dad and if God is going to take my dad away then God can do that.”

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Later on – it would have been about a month after my dad died – I was a senior in high school and I was taking this class. We had this interesting assignment to write a philosophy of life. By virtue of having been through the wringer with this I had given those questions a lot more thought than probably most kids do at that age.

I hope I remember this correctly – I wrote down three things and I turned this in. I said, “Nothing is worth living for unless it’s worth dying for, because to live for something is to spend time which you can not get back in pursuit of it.” That was the first one.

I didn’t make up any of this stuff myself. I got it all from other people. The second one was “The difficult things you deal with in life will make you a stronger, better person, but only if you let them.”

The third one I think comes from the Westminster Confession. It says, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.”

That was my philosophy of life at age 17. And I don’t think I would change that now. I think that was pretty good. But being forced to confront a lot of hard issues is, I think, the only way you really figure out what is important and what is not.

Ralph Zuranski: So you really think that it’s important to have a positive view of setbacks, misfortunes and mistakes?

Perry Marshall: It’s very important. It’s one of these deals where you can have it either way.

Which way do you want it? Do you want to look at the tragedy in your life like life sucks and then you die. That it’s all meaningless?

There are a lot of people that do. They look at life exactly that way. And they actually resent people who don’t.

There’s a saying that goes something like this: “People who dance are considered crazy by those who can’t hear the music.” And I think it’s really like that.

Is tragedy just tragedy? Is that all that it is? Or is there music somewhere, is there purpose going on somewhere?

This really gets into the deepest aspect of what your philosophy of life really is. These are all very religious questions. I think we have this sort of taboo in Western society that you aren’t really supposed to discuss that kind of stuff.

But the fact is, everybody is going to have to wrestle with it some time or other. And when they do, they are either going to be equipped to deal with it because they have been discussing it, or it’s going to blind-side them.

Then they are going to be forced into this new train of thought that they never learned about in school and nobody was supposed to talk about in polite company.

They end up going through it alone. And doesn’t that make a person all the more cynical if they think that life sucks and then you die?

Ralph Zuranski: Do you think that it is important to have a dream or vision that sets the course of your life?

Perry Marshall: Absolutely. When you talk about dreams and visions and stuff sometimes I think you can trivialize it.

For example, “What’s your dream?” “My dream is to drive a Mercedes.”

Well, I hope your dream for your life is bigger than that. And I don’t mean more expensive, either. I mean more substantive.

But even in the mundane sense it always helps if you know what you are working for. When I was a kid it always helped if I knew why I was doing the paper route. It was never enough to just think that I was saving up some money for some day.

Ralph Zuranski: Do you think it takes courage to pursue new ideas? It seems that in everybody’s life, other people are comfortable with the way that you are and if you start changing, they are either going to have to reject you or they have to change also.

Perry Marshall: I think courage is the king of all virtues. If you asked, “What are the greatest virtues?” you could talk about love and honor and trust and all that.

But none of those things really have any dimension to them unless you have the courage to pursue them. It always takes courage to do it. You are always at odds with most of the rest of the world when you embrace virtue.

It’s always easier to fudge a little bit. It’s always easier to make it up. I’m certainly not saying that I’m perfect in those regards.

But what I can be is aware. Or if somebody calls it to my attention that I said I would do something but never did, well then I need to agree and fix that.

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Ralph Zuranski: One thing that everybody experiences is doubts and fears. They fear injury, failure, rejection, and some even fear success. How do you overcome your fears?

Perry Marshall: When I feel trepidation about something I’m planning to do it’s usually because it is important. You usually don’t feel fear about doing trivial things. Some people don’t even feel fear about getting on a motorcycle and going 100 miles an hour.

I know a lady who got in a very compromising sexual situation with somebody. It happened years ago and it was just kind of sitting there, simmering under the surface.

Nobody knew about it. She had to deal with this all the time but it was too taboo to really bring up.

Finally she was talking to my wife and I about this and we told her that she needed to talk to the other person about it and confront them about what happened. This is something you would categorize as abusive, she being the victim.

She was afraid of wrecking the guy’s life. And if you think about it there is something honorable about that, because even though the other person had hurt her very deeply, she was still concerned for his well-being.

But we told her that she simply could not keep trying to sweep this under the rug. We told her it would not get better until she dealt with it.

Well, eventually she did, and it took an enormous amount of courage to bring it up. But that opened the door to making the situation something they could deal with and begin to solve the problem.

Things like that are really scary. But again, the fact that it is scary tells you that it needs to be done.

A lot of times it’s things that are a whole lot less onerous than that. It takes courage to take out a small business loan and hang out your shingle. You know that the odds are against you and that you could fail.

One of the things that I learned in my 20’s was that if I fail, if I get rejection, if people say no, if they don’t take me up on my proposal, or if I get an F class and have to take it over, guess what? It’s not the end of the world.

Life did not come to a screeching halt when I flunked this test. Life did not grind to a screeching halt when I flunked the class and I had to take it over. And it didn’t make me a bad person. It just means that I didn’t make it that time.

Successful people of any stripe learn to look at failure as a corrective force in their life. That it’s something that kind of shakes the slag and the garbage off of you. It weeds out the trivial stuff and focuses you on what is important and eventually you figure out the formula.

Ralph Zuranski: It’s interesting that you would say that and that you would tell that story about that lady. There is always the question, as far as the importance of forgiveness, of those who offend and oppose us. And on the opposite side of that there is accountability of people who do offend us.

Where do you think is the balance between having people be accountable for the bad things that they do or the wrong things and actually forgiving them for the things that they did to you personally?

Perry Marshall: That is a really great question. I think it’s more important than it might sound on the surface because everyone of us has people that we have forgiveness issues with.

Each of us has done things to people that were wrong and that we need to be forgiven for. But that doesn’t really help very much until we realize that is the case.

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You can’t just live in denial thinking you have gone your whole life without hurting anybody or doing anybody wrong. All of us have hurt others.

On the other side all of us have little grudges, or sometimes big grudges, that we hold against other people. I don’t think you can be healthy while walking around with those things. I think it’s impossible.

Everybody talks about how if you eat peanut butter and the peanuts had insecticide on them or something, are you going to get cancer? Does this cause cancer, does that cause cancer?

I would be willing to bet you every penny I have that things like anger and grudges and stuff like that cause more diseases and mental health problems than any of those other things.

I have a friend who is a minister. He likes to say there are a lot of churches where if they caught the pastor smoking they would throw him out in a heartbeat.

But if that same minister bickers with people and fights with people and spreads rumors about people and has these little fiefdoms and wars for 30 years, they never throw him out for that. I mean, which is worse?

I’d rather live with a smoker who is at peace with himself than a non-smoker who is contentious. So there are all these things that are surface level. But everybody has to deal with that stuff.

If you ask, “Is there anybody you need to forgive?” All of us can think of somebody that we need to forgive that we only partially did or maybe didn’t at all. Maybe we’re still swearing that we are going to get even with them.

You just have to let go with that. I interviewed one of my customers and he told a very interesting story.

He worked at some company, one of his vendors. He kind of knew this guy who worked there, but not very well. One day that guy just disappeared.

It turns out what actually happened is he molested a child or something like that and was put in jail. He was in jail for three years and then they let him out.

So now the guy has a probation officer and he has this thing around his leg. He has to come to the office and plug it in.

The thing around his leg lets the probation officer know where this guy is 24/7. He has 20 minutes to get home and plug the thing in.

He has maybe 1 ½ hours on Saturday to go to the bank and go grocery shopping and then he has to be home to plug it in again, just like that.

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So he comes to see John one day and tells him his story. He says, “John, I knew you way back when. I was working at this company and then I got in trouble. I lost my family, my wife divorced me, I lost my job, I went to jail, and my entire life fell apart.

“John, would you give me a job?”

Well John gave him a job. Later, John ends up hiring another one like this, too. Now he has two former sex offenders working at his company.

John was raving about both of these guys because they always show up on time every single day. They work very hard. He doesn’t have to pay them as much as he pays other people because they are thankful to have any job at all.

They are so appreciative of John for giving them a chance. If John gives them a problem to solve they figure out how to solve it. They are great employees.

This is a strategy for finding an employee. Now obviously John does not run a daycare center. There aren’t any kids there so that’s not an issue. But this was a strategy for getting a good employee, and we all know that really good employees are very hard to find.

So I interviewed John and John told this whole story on one of my CD’s that went out to my subscribers. Then I got this angry email from this guy that says, “I can’t believe you are advocating that we take these criminals and give them jobs.”

I said, “I can only give you my opinion. First of all, the information you get from me is a cafeteria. You can take it or leave it. Not every idea applies to you.”

I told him, here’s how I look at this: Those two guys went to jail and as far as society is concerned, these men have paid the price they are supposed to pay. These men are still on probation.

The Lord’s Prayer says “Forgive us our sins as we forgive others who sin against us.” I told him that if a person has done their penance to society and they want to be forgiven, then as a Christian, my obligation is to forgive them.

It doesn’t mean that I have them run my daycare or that I do anything stupid like that. But it’s a two-sided coin. All of us have bones in our closet. We all have things that we are ashamed of.

We all hope that other people will give us some slack. So we have to give other people slack, too. It doesn’t mean you are to be stupid.

I had a tenant steal from me. So we evicted her. She was sorry and she cried and apologized. We told her that we forgive her, but that she needs to find another place to live.

I did not think it was appropriate to not have a consequence. She needed to learn.

After all, it took us awhile to figure it out. It had become a pattern, which almost always there is. There is never just one cockroach.

Just because you forgive somebody doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences. I did forgive her and I’m not angry at her.

She never even paid us back, but I’m not going to go after her. That’s just going to be unnecessary time and money and headache.

Ralph Zuranski: It’s easy to forgive somebody if they have offended us or stolen from us, but the harder part is to hold them to accountability and make sure that they realize there are consequences for their wrong actions.

Perry Marshall: Right. And there are consequences. Consequences are the only way that people learn to straighten themselves out.

If somebody is coming to work drunk every day, you better make sure there are some consequences because the problem isn’t going to solve itself. That’s for sure.

So a lot of times the most loving thing you can do with somebody is to have a harsh consequence. And that’s the reality of living in an imperfect world.

Ralph Zuranski: I think that’s the true definition of love. That if someone is going down the wrong path to actually try to steer them to a better path or help them find a better path.

Perry Marshall: Absolutely. You remember Jerry Garcia, the guitarist with The Grateful Dead? I listened to an interview with his drummer, Mickey Hart.

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It was a radio show and someone called in and said, “How come you didn’t keep Jerry from overdosing on drugs?” And Mickey goes, “Dude, have you ever had a friend with a drug problem? You ever tried to get him to stop? It’s not like we didn’t try.”

Jerry did what Jerry was going to do. Who knows what they did to try to stop it? But obviously it didn’t work.

And obviously the consequences for Jerry along the way were not bad enough. If the consequences had been worse when it was a less onerous problem, Jerry Garcia might still be alive and would still be doing Grateful Dead concerts.

Ralph Zuranski: You can just do your best and leave it in God’s hands. There is only so far that you can go.

You have to realize that when you try to help people going down the wrong path the first thing they are going to do is to hate you and blame you. It takes a tremendous love for that person to be willing to accept their anger and to accept that abuse.

Perry Marshall: Yes, and I’ll even go further. I’ll say that most people with a big problem blame the problem on the solution.

Ralph Zuranski: Can you explain that?

Perry Marshall: If some guy has an alcohol problem and his wife tells him that he needs to get help, he is probably going to tell you that the reason he drinks is because of her.

The truth is she is the one who loves him the most of anybody in the world. That is why she is telling him to get help. But because she is telling him and no one else is, he is mad at her.

He might be really, really angry at her. And really, if you aren’t willing to deal with the consequences what can you blame but the solution?

Ralph Zuranski: I think the answer and one of the big solutions is just serving others.

Perry Marshall: Right. About six years ago my wife’s brother lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil. We went down to visit him. He had been there a long time and we had never gotten down there because of the time and expense.

But we scraped together the money and we went. He had this friend named Paulo who took me and her to the slums of Sao Paulo.

It was shocking. We have nothing like that kind of poverty in the U.S. After I came back from Brazil, I thought to myself, “Bill Clinton is an honest president and we don’t have any pollution. We don’t have any poor people and we don’t have any violence.”

I can truthfully tell you that aside from a gated community, the best neighborhood in Sao Paulo is more dangerous than the worst neighborhood in Chicago. And it gets worse from there.

Paulo knew his way around and knew where he could go and where he couldn’t. So we trusted him and he took us around and we met all these people and saw how they lived. It made us very thankful for what we have.

He had this program where he was helping kids get off the streets and keeping kids off the streets in the first place. And we decided after that, whenever we get a chance we are going to go see how the other half lives.

Because of that, in the meanwhile I have been to Mozambique, which is the 18th poorest country in the world. Last fall I was in Nairobi, Kenya, and saw a bunch of orphans.

In various different ways we have been able to help people in those kinds of circumstances. That is a whole lot more fulfilling than driving a new car off a parking lot.

Because when you do that you are honoring the fact that some things are more important than ‘my little agenda.’ You are getting outside of yourself.

When you spend a day meeting kids or parents who are dying of AIDS you don’t come home and say, “My Latte is too foamy!” It totally gives you a different point of view.

Here in my daily life, if my kids are sick we take them to the doctor. It’s good to get reminded every now an then that not everybody has that luxury.

I met a seven year old boy who was dying of AIDS for lack of a $1 bus ticket to go get a free shot. He was already too far down the road to be helped.

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I’m not going to try to describe to you what he looked like or what it was like. But suffice it to say it was very sad.

But you can do things about that. Matter of fact, if I had a few wishes one of them would be for every person who can afford it to go to Africa just once.

Go to a place like Nairobi and see how other people live. Spend a little bit of time thinking about what we can do about this.

People need medical skills, education, business skills and all this kind of stuff. We have things. Not just money, but skills and helping hands.

What could people do? If people did that it would solve those problems and we would live in a much better world. People are very slowly solving those problems but it sure would be nice to see them get solved faster.

Ralph Zuranski: That’s so definitely true. What power does prayer have in your life?

Perry Marshall: It’s one of my core disciplines. I think it’s one of the most important things. Most of the time I think the biggest role that prayer plays is not so much getting what you want or having some wish granted or whatever.

It’s more like saying, “Well God, I don’t know what you want me to do today but to the best of my ability I’m going to align myself with that. I’m going to try to follow where I’m led.”

There have been a handful of situations where I wouldn’t know any other way to describe what happened other than to say a miracle happened. Not often, and it’s few and far between.

I have this friend in Ohio named Geri and she had Lupus for years. She did all the stuff you do for it. I don’t have time to go into all the details, but basically one day someone prayed for her and it was gone, never to come back.

It was very sudden, too. It didn’t happen over a period of three months or something. Now if you look up Lupus, “Lupus” and “cure” do not usually go together in the same sentence.

So sometimes, things do happen. There is certainly no question in my mind that prayer changes things. But the thing that changes the most is me. And frankly, I’m the one that needs to get changed.

Ralph Zuranski: Sanctification is a long process. Salvation comes as a free gift but sanctification is much harder and it takes a lifetime. There’s no doubt abut that.

That’s why it’s important to have a sense of humor in a serious problem. You have a sense of humor?
Perry Marshall: I have a friend who says that his purpose in life is to make God laugh. That’s his little thing. I’m quite sure God has a sense of humor. I see it every day.

Ralph Zuranski: Who are the heroes in your life, Perry?

Perry Marshall: That’s a hard question to answer because I think I’m old enough to realize that nobody is perfect. It seems that most of the people who have influenced my life in extraordinary ways also have extraordinary weaknesses.

If you meet a person with really great strengths, they almost always have really great weaknesses to go along with them. People that I know who are alive today, I don’t know if I would categorize them as heroes but it would be interesting to do: Make a top ten list of the most influential people in my life.

Ralph Zuranski: Who would be those people who have had that major positive impact on your life? I know your dad would be on the list.

Perry Marshall: My dad would be on the list. Another guy that would be on the list is an English Professor in college. He pulled me aside one day and said he had been reading my papers and would like to talk with me sometime.

So a few weeks later I went to his office and he starts telling me all this stuff that he had figured out from reading the papers I had written, that I hadn’t figured out about myself. It was amazing.

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He really saw way further down the road than I ever did. He was a great, great teacher. He would definitely be on the list.

I think different people affect your life in different ways. For example, and this is a weird example, about seven or eight years ago I went to a Rush Concert. It was three hours of the most extraordinarily executed musical performance that I had ever seen.

The drummer stole the show. I have never seen musicianship like that. In the musical arena that guy is definitely a hero. It changed my awareness of music.

A definitely big influence in my business life is Dan Kennedy. I first heard Dan Kennedy speak in 1997. He coaxed $300 out of my pocket and I bought some of his books and tapes and it transformed my understanding of sales and marketing.

I actually know Dan pretty well now. I’m in one of his coaching groups and I talk to him every month.

Is Dan like a hero of my whole life? No, but he is a luminary in business.

When there are people who change the way you think about things, people who influence you that way, a lot of times it’s worthwhile to dig all of that water out of that well that you can. You don’t just skim it from the surface.

Like with Dan, I was just at a group meeting for two days just last week. Why do I go to that? Because Dan consistently brings insights into situations that I would not come up with myself. And it continues to happen.

Now if the time came where I wasn’t really getting anything new that I hadn’t already gotten, then I would stop. But as long as you continue to learn something new, you keep going back. We had a discussion about one topic that was very illuminating that no one else in the room had really fully considered.

There are other people. I would have to sit down and think about this. But you get the idea. There are authors, people who you may never meet. There are very influential thinkers.

Any direct marketer has been enormously influenced by Claude Hopkins whether they read his stuff or not. It would be a very good idea for anybody in marketing to read Claude Hopkins because he is one of those true luminaries.

When somebody is one of the really first people to figure a whole bunch of things out it probably means that they are brilliantly smart. And that what they tell you about other things is equally valuable.

Ralph Zuranski: Why do you think heroes are so important in the lives of young people?

Perry Marshall: I think everybody is going to have heroes one way or the other. The question is whether they are good ones or bad ones.

If some basketball player thinks he is not a role model he is sadly mistaken. At any given time there are thousands of guys shooting hoops dreaming about being an MBA basketball player. A few of them actually make it.

Well, how many of them are consciously aware of the fact that there is another part of their job description that they never really thought about. No, you don’t just play basketball. You live a certain way and kids want to be like you.

That’s an important part of the job. Is that basketball player going to influence them to be more responsible and to be a better citizen? Or does he think he is only teaching them how to shoot hoops?

The other day somebody sent me a link to a web site where the guy had made his web site look exactly like mine. It wasn’t a copy, but the format, the colors, the layout, the writing style, everything was exactly like mine.

I don’t think he crossed any legal boundaries or anything. I suppose I’m sort of flattered by that. I hope it works for him. But the point is, like it or not, I am obviously a role model for other people.

Anybody in a public sphere is. And so that means that how I conduct myself in public is more important than I would like to think. It means that I am teaching people simply through my actions at any given time whether I realize it or not, because I am in the public eye.

That’s kind of scary. You have to be careful about zinging off some email to somebody. They are upset with me so I’m going to be upset back and be belligerent or whatever – that just adds to the negativity.

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Ralph Zuranski: I agree with that. Do you think there are any heroes in our society today who aren’t getting the recognition that they deserve?

Perry Marshall: Oh yes. Oh yes. What I think of when you said that is when I was in Mozambique two years ago. Her name is Robin Perry. She was about 55-60 years old.

She and her husband were retired and they decided to spend their retirement years helping very poor people in very poor countries, including Mozambique. So for a couple of days I just followed Robin around.

So I’m just trailing around behind her and she marches into a village with a box of medicine under her arm. She marches into a mud hut with all her stuff and all these women and children line up.

She has this guy that is translating from Sena into English and the impromptu medical clinic begins. I saw everything. I saw AIDS, malaria, protein deficiencies, scabies, burns, malnutrition, infections, everything.

I’m just sitting there watching this. And it’s not like they have some privacy form that everybody is going to fill out or anything. I’m just watching all these people come on through.

With the supplies that she had and the knowledge that she had, she did what she could to help them. I swear that if she had sat there for four days straight, that line around the hut would have been coming and coming and coming for four days.

There was like this inexhaustible supply of need. That was quite an experience.

She died a little over a year ago. I went to her funeral in Iowa where she and her husband were from. She had gotten sick and they came home. We knew this could be coming; in fact I remember a conversation with her. She’d had some surgeries and it looked like the problems were taken care of but everybody knew it could come back and it did.

So I’m at her funeral and at the end of the service they had this open mike where people could tell stories, and one after another after another got up. It was amazing. Robin was a hero.

Ralph Zuranski: Do you feel that the people who are really the heroes are the ones who reach out and help others? Those people that basically want to make a difference in the world and in the lives that God places along their path?

Perry Marshall: Yes, and everybody has a different kind of opportunity to be a hero. I don’t think everybody is supposed to go to Mozambique, although it would be nice if more people did.

I have a friend who was on that trip. She was just like me. She was just visiting and seeing what was going on.

But she decided to go back there and live there and she is living there now. And that’s her calling.

For almost 20 years it’s been my feeling that it’s my job to be a regular business guy, but to be interested and involved and supportive of things like that. To tell other people what is going on.

It’s just like any other marketing problem in the world of inventors and inventions and new technologies and those kinds of things. The guy that can invent the better mouse trap is often not the person who is talented at telling the world about it.

The world doesn’t beat a path to his door unless he figures out how to be the marketer of that mouse trap. That’s also true of people who go do good things.

Take for example my friend, Jeanine, who decided to go live in Mozambique. Does she have any particular fundraising skill, or communication skill, or letter writing skill or ability to make television commercials about all the stuff she is doing?

No, she is just using her talent and she is exercising it to the best of her ability. But everybody has talents.

I’m helping out Children’s Relief International, the organization that is sending Jeanine and who sent Robin over there. I can help them communicate better. I can help them raise funds better and help them find people to sponsor children and stuff like that. That’s my skill.

Then every year or two, I can get on a plane and go over there and be reminded that I have the easy job. And really it’s true. I kind of joke that in the next life it’s going to be me doing the work and they’re going to be doing the fundraising.

Ralph Zuranski: That may be so. There are so many people out there who say, “Look at the great things I’m doing for God.” Yet they don’t look around in their own families and their own communities and see what God is already doing and join in. I know that’s what Jesus did. He said he did the work of his Father.

It’s important to just look at your family, your friends and the people in your community that you are involved with. That’s where I think the hardest work is ever done because that’s where our greatest joys come from and our greatest sorrows.

Perry Marshall: Charity begins at home.

Ralph Zuranski: Isn’t that the truth. Well I know you are making the world a better place by just the things you have shared with us so far.

Do you have good solutions to the problems facing society, especially racism, child and spousal abuse and violence among young people?

Perry Marshall: This gets me into another story. A long time ago, way before we had kids, Laura my wife one day mentioned to me that one day we should have foster kids.

I looked at her like, “You want to do what???” Like this is totally out in left field and is something that I would never think about.

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When you say “foster kids” the first thing I think about is that some kid is going to come live with you for a few months or a few years and then leave. You will never see them again.

That’s too hard. Especially after you get to like them and have a relationship with them and then they just get sent off somewhere. So that was really foreign.

It took a long time, but she slowly warmed me up to this idea. After our oldest was born we decided to take a foster baby for a few months. We would be the interim solution for just for a little while. We would stick our toe in the water.

Everybody knows that this is not going to last for very long. It’s just a temporary situation. We are just going to try this out.

Sure enough one day the agency has a 1-week baby girl named Drea. “Do you want her?” “Well, okay, we’ll take her.” So I come home from work and we get this little black baby from the West Side of Chicago.

While she was living with us I felt like a glorified babysitter. To me it was just temporary and I wasn’t going to get attached to her. Laura was, but not me.

As far as I was concerned it was just a lot of work. With our own kids Laura nursed them. But you don’t nurse a foster baby so guess who gets to get up in the middle of the night and get the bottle? Me.

So I kind of do not like this. I’m muttering to myself, “How come Drea’s mother has to be into drugs and all this stuff and can’t take care of her?” I’m being kind of gripey.

Well finally we get another phone call and Drea’s grandmother is going to take her in so they don’t need us to be doing this any more. So 2 ½ months later Drea disappears and I figured that we would never see her again.

Laura is kind of depressed and I was probably a little relieved. I’m just being honest with you.

Ralph Zuranski: Oh, I know. I grew up taking care of foster kids. My mom was a nurse so she took the most severely damaged children into our home. I had to change the diapers like you did, but at an early age. So I know what you are talking about.

Perry Marshall: We thought that was the end of things. But a couple of weeks later we get this phone call again. It’s the case worker and he says that Drea’s grandmother wanted to know if we would like to be Drea’s godparents.

She didn’t know anything about us. But she decided that, so we said we would. I had never been anybody’s godparent before. That hadn’t been a tradition in our family. Other people do that but not us.

So we truck on over to The Old Ship of Zion Church of God in Christ on the West Side of Chicago. We are the only white people there.

Now I have to explain something about Chicago. There is a lot of racism in Chicago and it’s all kind of under the surface. It’s kind of an icy, nobody-talks-about-it kind of racism.

When we first moved here 12 or 13 years ago it seemed very hard to make friends with black people. Later I came to understand there are a lot of good reasons for that. There is an unbelievable amount of discrimination that goes on in the workplace.

I was a manufacturer’s rep selling stuff to manufacturing companies in Chicago. I want to say that in two years, except for an automotive plant and a steel mill, I’m not sure I ever met an African American person who was in a management position.

In Chicago it’s like black people get the crummy jobs and white people get the good jobs. And white people are oblivious to this. They just don’t know what is going on. They probably don’t think about it.

So there has always been this kind of icy feeling that I felt around black people. They didn’t really want to talk to me. It wasn’t that they were mean or rude, it was just that they weren’t interested and please don’t bother them.

It became apparent that whatever racial barriers there were with most people suddenly did not apply to us with Drea’s grandmother and her family. And ever since then, and I see them every week, it’s like we are their white cousins from the suburbs. And they are our black cousins from Chicago.

With them and us, whether someone is white or black doesn’t matter. It’s a non-issue. It’s not like there aren’t differences. It’s not like we don’t joke about them or talk about them or whatever, but they aren’t a barrier.

Of course their culture is different. It is completely different. But that’s okay. We are all people. I definitely learned that if people do things like take in foster children that can break down racial barriers.

You mentioned violence. There is a lot of violence in the inner city. Drea has three brothers and they are all older than her. One of them is 13 and he is getting into that teenager zone where you are hoping that he stays on track.

I look at it like I can’t fix all his problems. I can’t solve all the problems that you have when you live in the inner city and all that.

But I can be a steady, unwavering person in his life. I can be an example that not every guy is hanging out on the street corner or doing whatever people do in the inner city.

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How to Write and Promote Your White Paper - If you sell any kind of complex service, technology or sophisticated product, a White Paper is the best way to educate your customers about that technology. You can use a white paper to build your credibility, get free exposure in the press, attract new customers, and drive new technology into change-resistant, conservative markets.
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I think in the long run that will make a difference for him and the direction he goes. I can’t solve every problem but I can do what I can do.

Ralph Zuranski: So you believe that the way that we can change a lot of problems in society is being good role models for others and also being involved in their lives. Being a source of support and inspiration and being examples of integrity.

If you had three wishes that would come true for the world and for your life, what would they be? I know you already expressed one wish, so you have two more.

Perry Marshall: I’m not sure exactly how I want to put this, but maybe one way to put this is that I would wish that everybody would have the persistence and the opportunity to discover that God really does hear us when we pray.

Matter of fact I think that the whole idea and that whole personal experience of spirituality is really at the root of a lot of things. That includes people who insist that there is no God and that all that stuff is made up.

I think at the root of that is usually a personal experience: “I tried praying. I was in a hard time and my prayers just bounced off the ceiling.”

I know what that feels like. I think all of us do.

One thing that I consider to be self-evident, needing no further proof or discussion, is this: I do not judge God. God judges me.

I think there is a world of difference between believing that the world is a senseless, crazy place and believing that there ultimately is some order to everything.

If I had another wish, maybe one of those wishes would be that every kid could grow up in a family that’s kind of like my parents were. Even though everything was really tough and really brutal at times, they stuck together anyway.

Again, at the time I did not look at my dad as a hero. To me it was like a stubborn policy he had that I wasn’t sure I agreed with.

It was only later that I realized that it was a heroic choice. For a little while, at least, it would have been easier for him to renege on his commitment. How are those for a couple of wishes?

Ralph Zuranski: Those are good wishes. And I understand what you are talking about. Trusting God and leaning not on your own understanding and acknowledging Him in all your ways and letting Him direct your paths.

Just having that faith and seeing everything as a part of His plan for you and more importantly a plan for everybody in the entire world because nothing can happen to you that doesn’t affect everybody else.

Perry Marshall: That’s true. In the 1960’s a guy came up with the term “Butterfly Effect.” At MIT he was studying weather patterns when he discovered that the tiniest little change could potentially cause an enormous change somewhere else.

The wings of a butterfly here could cause a hurricane there six months later. There was literally no way to know or track all the cause and effects down to the granular level but that’s how nature really works.

I think when you make a right choice or a wrong choice, if you do the right thing you decide to be a hero even if nobody is paying attention, or not to. It’s the same thing. You just never know.

You don’t have to know how things are going to turn out. You trust that there is a plan and you do the right thing in the interim simply because it’s the right thing.

Ralph Zuranski: What do you think about the “In Search of Heroes” program and its impact on youth, parents and business people?

Perry Marshall: I think if you are asking these kinds of probing questions of business people you are certainly bringing out a whole dimension in business. Business people hardly ever get asked these kinds of questions.

You are trying to create some air time so younger people are hearing from business people and different leaders and getting the inside story. I think if the inside story gets heard it can only help.

Ralph Zuranski: The good thing about these questions in the heroes program is that it’s based on the philosophy of Earl Nightingale and his program “The Strangest Secret of the Mind of Man.” It’s the realization that people will only achieve the level of success that they desire until they actually become the type of person who has excellence and integrity. Until they begin providing a service to humanity that is worth the financial gain that they desire.

They learn that this is the true model for success. And they learn to not only to follow this in their personal and financial life, but in every area of life.

Perry Marshall: I think it is possible to be successful in a whole bunch of areas of life. I think a lot of people have this idea that they can be successful in business or help poor kids somewhere or do whatever but that they certainly can’t be successful in all the spheres.

Well you certainly can’t do everything. But at the same time I think you can be successful in all the arenas of your life, at least in some measure. It’s not like I have to be a loser in this department and a winner in this other department.

Ralph Zuranski: What do you think of the things that parents can do that will help their children realize that they too can be heroes and make a positive impact on others?

Perry Marshall: Well, I think it starts with taking responsibility to be a hero yourself. There’s the old phrase, “What you do speaks to loudly, what you say I cannot hear.”

We aren’t perfect and we don’t have it all figured out but we can do what we know we need to do. And sometimes when those tough decisions come along our kids need to see us make the tough decision and do the right thing and not take the easy way out.

This is a little bit of a rabbit trail, but another thing. I think the best success manual for a business person is the book of Proverbs in the Bible.

I think that in Proverbs there is more useful, practical wisdom about how to deal with other people and the kinds of people you deal with than just about any other place that I could name. I know every entrepreneur has his list of books that had a big impact on him. For me that one would be right at the top of the list.

What is Proverbs about? It’s all of the fundamental differences between wise people and fools.

I don’t know of any other kind of discernment that would be more valuable than being able to go into a crowd and have conversations and start working with people and quickly figure out who is wise and who is foolish. Who is honest and who is not.

The way that you learn to frame the world from that book is absolutely priceless. You can’t really appreciate it until you really read through it a couple of times.

You could read the whole thing, probably, in about an hour. But that’s not how you read it.

There are 31 chapters so my favorite way to read it is to read one chapter a day. If today is the 21st then you read the 21st chapter. And it has something for you.

Ralph Zuranski: Yes, and it always seems to have different information each time you read it depending upon what is going on in your life that day.

Perry Marshall: Right.

Ralph Zuranski: Well Perry, I really appreciate your time. I know how busy you are. Thank you for sharing all the things that you did.

It is really profound all the information that you provided. Is there some parting information that you would like to share with the young people listening to this interview?

Perry Marshall: Pursue wisdom. It’s an elusive thing but it’s out there. Proverbs is a great place.

Be a hero. Whatever circumstances you are in and whatever skills you have, there is a way that you can harness those and be successful and do the things that are going to be important to you in your life. I think life is just a process of discovering what that is.

Ralph Zuranski: That is so profound. And again, I really appreciate your time.

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Other resources & courses by Perry Marshall:

Spirituality, History and Science:

7 Great Lies of Organized Religion – an unusual perspective on church history, a response to skeptics, and thoughts on genuine spirituality

Where did the Universe Come From? Latest results from renowned astronomers, physicists and the Hubble Telescope have significant bearing on the relationship between faith and science

The Atheist's Riddle and the Case for Intelligent Evolution - "So simple, any child can understand; so complex, no atheist can solve." Naturalism's gaping hole, a revised view of Darwinism based on Google AdWords (which is an elegant example of Darwin's ideas), and radical new implications for evolutionary theory
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Business and Marketing:

5 Days to Success with Google AdWords - Google has a new system that makes it possible, for the first time in the history of the world, to deposit five bucks, write a couple of ads, and instantly get access to over 100 million people - in less than 10 minutes

How to Write and Promote Your White Paper - If you sell any kind of complex service, technology or sophisticated product, a White Paper is the best way to educate your customers about that technology. You can use a white paper to build your credibility, get free exposure in the press, attract new customers, and drive new technology into change-resistant, conservative markets.
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Posted by ralph at 08:09 PM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

So you had that fantastic business idea, the one that's going to be wildly successful and make you a fortune - and even better, you actually did something about it and started your own business. Good for you! Not everyone gets even that far. Most people sit and day dream about what they might do if only ....

"The world is full of dreamers, there aren't enough who will move ahead and begin to take concrete steps to actualize their vision" - W. Clement Stone

But you got over the biggest hurdle, you took that first step and you actually created something.

Well done - you already did more than most. But once you've got started and you've maybe lost that first flush of enthusiasm with the day to day details of running your business how do you keep going?

There are several things to look at here:

1. What are you really good at and what do you enjoy doing? Make two lists - one of all the jobs you like and/or are good at, and one of all the jobs you hate and/or really don't do very well. Take the second list and have a look at what you might outsource or automate. Do you really love doing those accounts or would your time be better spent in forward planning while your accountant does the sums? Must you personally reply to every last enquiry or could you create a FAQ which you can post on your website and refer people to by autoresponder? Obviously in the early stages of your business you might find you don't have the money to pay someone to do the jobs you hate but you've got to think about what is best for you and your business long term. Be creative - could you swap skills to get the help you need? The more routine jobs you can outsource or automate the more time you have to plan and to market your business, and to think about even more ways to bring in all that lovely cash - not to mention you get to spend more of your time doing the things you really enjoy doing.

2. Why are you doing this? You really need to be motivated to start a business and keep it going and the best way to do this is to know what all that effort is for. What really moves you to get up in the morning and do what you need to do even when you don't really feel like it? Write your reasons down and stick them on your wall. Even better find pictures of that house in the country, the Lamborghini or that 'must have' holiday and put them where you can see them every day.

3. How do you deal with those inevitable bumps in the road? Not everything you do will be perfect - sometimes things you've tried will be a total disaster - but it's the way you react to problems that matters. If you curl up in a ball and give up at the first sign of failure you'd better not be in business. "Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." - John Quincy Adams. It's all about attitude.

4. Have a plan and stick to it as far as possible but always be prepared to be flexible and open minded. Sometimes the most unexpected opportunities come up and you need to be ready to seize them with both hands - as Joe Vitale says 'Money likes speed'.

5. Get yourself a mentor - learn from someone who has done it before. Having someone to bounce ideas off and someone who can encourage you when things get tough is invaluable.

And most importantly, never let anyone put you down and never be afraid of failure:

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat" - Theodore Roosevelt.

Don't ever forget that!

Posted by ralph at 11:33 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

Any business will cringe at the thought of what the banks put them through to use credit cards. If you do not know what I mean, then this article is for you!

The fact is that everyone online wants to use a credit card or debit card to process their order. It is very true in our society that the credit card is a way of life, and if you do not offer that ability to accommodate them, customers will move on to another website that does allow them to use their cards. This society has become driven by instant gratification and expects to receive their products immediately, either by a download or a short shipping duration. Taking credit cards as a form of payment on the internet or offline should be thoroughly understood. Read on to see what I mean and how to protect yourself.

The fact is that any merchant taking in payments is immediately at risk for whatever amount is charged and MORE. The banks will take the charge disputed along with a "charge back" fee right from your merchant account, and you better have enough in there that has cleared to pay your own bills or you will be charged more for "overdraft charges". Some banks are waking up to the fact that it is not always the merchant at fault and most merchants are more than honest in their dealings. There is so much credit card fraud out there and since the merchants are ALWAYS liable, you need to realize this and take action to prevent as much disaster for your business as possible.

First, if you have your own merchant account, then you have a lot of work to do when you receive a credit card order. You must verify as best you can that the card, the name on the card, the address, the cvv number verification, and the quantities are all in order. You need to verify the IP address of every order and see if it is within the location of the card holder. A person living in Toronto, Canada, probably would not be in Las Cruces, New Mexico, charging products. This is a red flag but not a deal breaker, some people DO travel. Caution needs to be taken to protect your cash flow. As a merchant you must get money safely into your account for any goods or service you provide, so that you can become a larger or more substantial independent business.

Do not just take in cards and believe that everything is going to be just fine now that you have the money in your account, because it can come out just as fast, or faster, than it went in. There is a real need for you to understand a lot more than can be mentioned in this article.

The best way to receive all the tools and services you need to protect yourself and to make your voice heard is to check this website: http://www.merchant911.org This is a group of dedicated individuals who have been working for years to try to change banking and processing company rules and regulations as relative to merchants, both large and small. If you need any more proof of their dedication, just read some of the press releases and look at the tools they have assembled for merchants to use.

Right now is the time to start to protect yourself from credit card fraud. If you have read any of the newspapers or listened to any of the news reports, then you already know you are at risk. There are reports of over 40 million cards in the hands of criminals and thieves and they will sell these cards or will use them in various illegal methods. It's not hard to imagine that some day soon you will be approached and asked to spend your time and money to ship a product or provide a service with these fraudulent cards.

Do your part to keep America strong and allow your business to grow and prosper, not be destroyed by thieves and credit card sharks.

Posted by ralph at 11:32 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

If you have been longing to start a business online you may be coming across terms you've never heard before. You may also have found the opportunities available are overwhelming. Where do you begin?

AFFILIATE PROGRAMS - EASY START

Affiliate programs may be the easiest online business to start running. Why?

With any online business you must have a product or service to sell. First you must create this product or service and then you must be able to fill orders.

Selling your own product or service also means creating a website, learning how to write ad copy, setting up a marketing plan, being able to accept payments online and obviously doing the work. If you're selling a physical product then you will need to make or buy the item, package it and pay for shipping costs. If you provide a service than you will likely have to start by doing free jobs to build your credibility and then when you are charging for your service you are still limited by how much work you can actually handle.

THE MAGIC OF AFFILIATE PROGRAMS

Affiliate programs are a great way to get started in an online business. In fact there are even some 'Super Affiliates' who are making fabulous incomes from affiliate programs. So, what ARE affiliate programs?

Affiliate programs allow you to sell another company's service or product and make a commission on every sale or lead. You do not even need to build a website or handle the transaction. Your job is to drive traffic (customers) to your affiliate link.

An affiliate link is a special URL code that will identify customers coming to the company's site from your advertising. It will likely be the website address with a code attached to the end.

Some affiliate programs also have tiers. That means if someone who is interested in SELLING the product comes through your link and signs up you will also get a small percentage of THEIR earnings.

HOW DO I CHOOSE A PROGRAM?

You should research the popularity of some of your interests. Try to determine if people are buying that product or service online. There are many sources for finding that information including free ones such as the Overture keyword tool.

When you have found an area that is popular then type the subject along with 'affiliate program' into your search engine and see which programs have services or products for that area. You can also use an affiliate program directory.

When you have found a program that looks interesting you should read the terms of the program. Make sure that payouts are not based on a high commission earning or you may never see your money. Also try to choose programs with high commission rates. Often you will find ebooks and downloadable software has the highest rates as there is no physical product to make or ship. If you are satisfied with the terms then you need to sign up - usually a simple process.

START MARKETING

The reason affiliate programs are so great for beginners is that you only need to focus on marketing - not making - your product.

Many affiliate programs have information on how to market and give you tools such as banners, product feeds and more. You can also look for other information on marketing including writing articles, creating pay-per-click campaigns, commenting in online forums etc. As you gain experience marketing you will make adjustments to your selling and start creating a wonderful income!

Posted by ralph at 11:30 AM | Permalink

Listen to the Interviews of the Leading Entrepreneurs in the World Who Are Heroes That Are Pursuing Their Dreams With Every Ounce of Strength and Faith.

What can you learn about business from a children's movie? You can learn some great entrepreneurial lessons from the recent film "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" starring Johnny Depp.

WARNING -Spoiler Alert- If you have not seen the movie (or the older version) yet, this article may give away a few elements of the story that could reduce your enjoyment of the film. You can always come back and read it after you have seen the picture.

Marketing

"Find 1 of 5 Golden Tickets in a Willy Wonka product and be one of the first people in a long time to visit the magical chocolate factory. Also, one kid will win a special prize that will exceed your wildest imagination."

This is an excellent promotion. It sparks interest in Willy Wonka products, builds brand awareness, and most importantly; it significantly increases sales. The media picks up on the promotion and generates a tremendous amount of free publicity. Word of mouth referrals help spread the promotion to areas that were untouched by newspapers and television.

Positive Thinking

There are many "naysayers" who discourage the main character, Charlie, from getting his hopes up about finding one of the lucky Golden tickets. Negative thinking can be devastating, especially to a child. However, Charlie does not take heed of the negativity. Supported by his Grandmother's constant reassurance, Charlie keeps a positive outlook and believes that he has as good a chance as any other kid to find one of the five tickets.

Don't Quit

Charlie refuses to give up on his dream of finding a ticket. After he doesn't find one on his first, and probably only, attempt - he doesn't quit. Charlie believes that he will get one of those tickets. Providence provides two more opportunities and amazingly, Charlie finds the last ticket! This is especially significant because it had been falsely reported that all of the tickets had been found.

A Good Support Network

Charlie has an excellent support network. Although very poor in financial terms, Charlie is very rich in family. He lives in a loving environment and appreciates every member of his household. He selflessly offers to sell his ticket to provide some much needed cash for his family, instead of taking the special chocolate factory tour. His family will have nothing of it and encourages him to pursue this once in a lifetime opportunity.

When Willy Wonka offers to make Charlie his heir, Charlie refuses because accepting the offer would mean that he probably would never see his family again. Willy Wonka later makes the offer again, but allows Charlie to bring his family this time. Charlie's family then extends its hospitality to Mr. Wonka and he ends up gaining the positive and supporting network that he had needed as well.

Four Good Lessons

If you are an entrepreneur or are thinking about becoming an entrepreneur, remember these lessons from "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory". It takes good marketing, positive thinking, and a good support network to get started. Most importantly, don't quit - your success may be only one candy bar away.

Posted by ralph at 11:29 AM | Permalink

Robert Channing is one of the most amazing people I met at internet marketing conferences over the last three years. He partnered with Joe Vitale to create the Spiritual Marketing Super Summit. He coordinated the entire conference. He was outstanding as the Master of Ceremonies for the entire event.

Also, Robert was the main entertainment at the Awards Banquet. I was astounded at Robert's ability to use the amazng powers of his mind. He has created a brain-expanding, mind-blowing training program for students and companies called "Your Gold Mind System."

Robert also owns two talent agencies that book all the celebrities, movie stars, sports heroes, politicians and entertainers. They are Power Performers and College Power Performers.

He performs his incredible mind-reading and mental-motivator program for over 150 college, universities and corporations every year. He is the perfect person to demonstrate the incredible powers of the human mind.

We decided to work together to create a training program for students to use more of their mental powers. Also, his talent agencies will promote the local and international heroes discovered through the In Search Of Heroes Program.

Robert Channing"s In Search Of Heroes Interview

Ralph Zuranski: Hi, this is Ralph Zuranski! I’m on the phone with Robert Channing. He is one of the most amazing people that I have ever met. I met him at Joe Vitale’s seminar Spiritual Marketing Super Summit. He had coordinated the entire seminar, complete with the speakers and virtually everything that you could possibly imagine that goes with a seminar - maintenance and just creation.

Robert also is one of the most impressive people that I have ever seen, using his mind to bend spoons, to remember things and to know what people are thinking. It was incredible. I’ve never been more blown away by somebody’s presentation than Robert’s when he did a special presentation at Joe’s seminar. So Robert, how are you doing today?

Robert Channing: I’m doing phenomenal, Ralph, and thank you very much for inviting me on this. I’m very honored and I really appreciate you having me on today.

Ralph Zuranski: You know, your company is called the Power Performers and I know that you work a lot with scheduling movie stars, business leaders and some of the most important people in the world today to speak at conventions and events. Perhaps you could tell us a little bit about your company.

Robert Channing: Power Performers was created around nine years ago. How it came to fruition is I have been a performer since I was five years old. I started studying magic, mind reading, ESP and hypnosis. I studied with David Copperfield, Harry Blackstone Jr., some of the top mentalists and magicians in the world. I learned by actually watching them do what they do.

I learned from the best and I learned from the worst. I made it my life’s goal to be a performer, to be a mentalist, a mind reader, ESP motivational person. I studied Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill.

The first book I ever read on motivation was by Glen Bland. It was called the Glen Bland Method for Success. It just taught me how you can change your life. You draw a line in the sand and by just taking that step over; you can change your life by changing your attitude and your strategies with your mind.

When I was a child, Ralph, I learned how to do magic tricks and it brought attention to me. I didn’t have that; I didn’t crave that. My mother was fantastic, my father worked all the time and I never saw him. He was a great guy, never made a lot of money but I never knew that. I was a happy guy who played Army and Cowboys and Indians.

But as I grew older, I was into sports, and I was always into magic, how the mind worked and I became an entertainer. I performed at birthday parties for $15. For my first birthday party when I was 11 years old I performed for $15 and I learned I could make money doing it and people loved what I did.

Then I began to performing all over the world. I performed for different Presidents. I performed for corporations and for a lot of colleges and organizations. At that point, the people at the organization said to me, “Hey, Bob. Your mind reading ESP show is phenomenal. Do you have anybody else that can entertain at our event or speak?”

At that point, I said, “I have a friend of mine that can do human calculations. I have another friend of mine who is a rock star, Alice Cooper. He can come in and talk about, for colleges, drug awareness. He can perform.” Then I created the company Power Performers. So that was my unique selling proposition.

These were powerful people but are the best in their industry, just like you are doing, Ralph. You’re interviewing the heroes in different industries that are the best at what they do, the top 1%. And that’s what I did.

I created the speaker’s bureau, or an entertainment agency which is both. I promote the top speakers, entertainers, sports stars, and business leaders in the world to corporations, associations, colleges, private functions and organizations throughout the country. So hopefully that answers your question.

Ralph Zuranski: Yes, it definitely does. Since you are working with the top people in the industry, one of the major things I’ve realized with doing the interviews of my heroes is the real heroes are people that actually provide a quality service to society.

They help put people to work and the true definitions of those people are entrepreneurs who are not afraid to step out on their own to follow their dream. What is your definition of heroism?

Robert Channing: I just spoke to my wife about that this morning; because I told her I was going to be on the line with you, Ralph. She said, and we agreed, it’s the people that make a difference in one person’s life.

If I can make a difference in my neighbor’s life that morning or that afternoon, maybe once a day and bring somebody up that’s been down or helped somebody, like I know you are doing with your family, that’s a hero.

To me, if I can change one life, I don’t know who quoted this before, but it’s a quote from somewhere. If you can change one person’s life, and make them happy, make them feel better about themselves or help them in any other way, you’ve actually helped humanity itself. That’s my definition of heroism.

Ralph Zuranski: That’s so true.

Robert Channing: Helping one person at a time.

Ralph Zuranski: I totally agree. Did you ever create a secret hero in your mind that helped you deal with life’s problems when you were young?

Robert Channing: Yes, I did. Well, God was my hero. I was brought up Catholic. I was an altar boy for 11 years.

Ralph Zuranski: So was I.

Robert Channing: I remember sitting in a small church. I came from a little town called Newport, New York. There were probably around three people in our little town, one blinking light, one Catholic Church and one Methodist church.

I remember doing my services in the evening, the Stations of the Cross. There were maybe like five or six people in the church. I’d be there myself before the mass would start. I’d be there, present with a Being and that’s what I believed that yes, there is a God, there is some Higher Power.

I think that by being by myself in that big open church and just thinking and being open to thoughts in the Universe and to God, is what opened my mind to reality and what I could do. I can’t describe it any more than that, it was just a feeling that I had come over me.

Ralph Zuranski: What is your perspective on goodness, ethics, and moral behavior?

Robert Channing: I know everybody has struggled with that. I have. I would say that I’m 90% ethical and moral. There’s that 10% where sometimes you get tempted by money or greed or temptation of any kind.

Sex, drugs, rock and roll, whatever you want to call it. I think my integrity is up there with the top people in the world.

I think integrity is very, very important. If you cheat someone, you are cheating yourself. It’s a multiple effect. If you want to track that in business, if you do something well for someone, I’ve heard this, they are going to go out and maybe tell one or two people.

But if you would hurt them in any way, or take advantage of them, it’s going to multiply over 100 times backwards. You can track that as well, Ralph.

A friend of mine, Scott Holm that I hired as a business coach taught me that and we tracked it one day. It’s better to do well than it is to do badly. I’ve learned that all my life, you learn by trial and error as well. I think integrity is the number one pursuit of happiness in a balanced life.

Ralph Zuranski: You know, it’s funny that you’d say that about the 90% doing good and the 10%. One of the heroes that I interviewed is Gregory Allen Williams. He’s the black cop on Baywatch; he actually saved a man’s life during the L.A. riots. He said there is a little bit of bad in the best of us, and a little bit of good in the worst of us.

When anybody steps up to help someone, they too can be a hero at that moment in time. So he was willing basically to sacrifice his life if he had to, to help others that were in difficulty during the LA riots. What do you think are the principles that you are willing to sacrifice your life for?

Robert Channing: The principles that I’m willing to sacrifice my life for? I’ve been struggling with that. Only because I give so much; I give, I give, and I give, Ralph. It seems a lot of the time that it doesn’t come back to me by the people I give to.

I’ve learned that you should not ask for it back. Or expect it back from the people you give it to, although you would love to have that back. I’ve learned from studying different books and the Bible as well is that if you give it to someone; don’t expect it back from them.

It will come from somewhere else. It could come from a baby’s smile that you just had, a newborn baby of yours. It could come from, someone gave you a kind word on a plane or a smile or a thank you. Maybe you just won the lottery, you don’t know. But it’s going to come somewhere else.

Ralph Zuranski: When was the lowest point in your life and how did you change your life path to win a victory over obstacles?

Robert Channing: The lowest point in my life? You know what? I’m an optimist. There were two low points in my life. One was when I became a professional entertainer, and I was very optimistic. I studied all the best people in the world, and then I performed my show and I had another gentleman that was jealous.

I was probably only about 18 years old and this gentleman was 36. I was in the same market that he was in. He would try to shut me down and put me down, because he saw how strong I was when I was performing. People were attracted to me and they loved what I did.

It was the same type of mentalism that he did. Although it was different, it was my personality and he had a different personality. He was jealous. Actually, it hurt me. My own true feelings, I didn’t want anyone to feel bad about me. I didn’t want anybody to look down and say this guy was bad, or this guy is doing something wrong.

I almost felt guilty because I was doing so well for myself that people become jealous of what I’ve done. Ralph, have you ever dealt with that before? Have you done so well that people get jealous? How do you deal with those people?

Ralph Zuranski: Well, again, what you have to realize is that, what you said earlier, the consequences of their actions and their personal integrity. They are providing service to their client, realizing that you only succeed to the level of quality of your products and your service to your customers. The greater the service, the greater the quality, the greater your success.

But the universe is impeccable, it never fails and good will always be rewarded with good, somewhere down the line or maybe immediately. Evil will always be rewarded with evil; it’s an exponential type thing.

Robert Channing: I agree. It just came to my mind that when I was a child, when people got mad at my mother, when people had something against her for some goofy reason, or somebody said something, she would always wave to them. She would always say hi. She would always have a kind word to them. My mother, I call her a saint, she was phenomenal, and she still is. She always does well.

And that’s what I’ve learned to do, even when these people are trying to tear me down in some way, I’ve always come back by being nice to them and have a kind word for them. Even though, in the back of my mind, I’m like, I’d really like to do something.

But by forgiving them and having peace with yourself, you’re actually helping yourself as well as them. Because they don’t have anything to go back on, they can’t keep their momentum going with trying to get feed off of your emotions. Just let it go and keep working with it.