Click image to enlarge

Sports Writer Discovers A New Appreciation For the Heroism Of All Parents!

This Newspaper Article Documented the First In Search Of Heroes Copywriting Program When David Ganong and Laura Neale Searched For Heroes at Disneyland and Universal Studios September 29, 1993 By Ralph Zuranski   Who are the real Heroes in society? What are the names of those that daily Help Enthusiastically, Responsibly, Optimistically (HERO)? After two weeks of living with a visiting thirteen year-old, the answer became readily apparent; all mothers and fathers!   My first attempt at surrogate parenting is completed. I now respect and admire all parents, especially single moms and dads, more than I could possibly have imagined. They are truly the ultimate, unsung, and unnoticed Heroes.   How did I arrive at this conclusion, this incontestable realization of fact? Well, after 44 years of being single, I assumed I was ready to teach a young person about super nutrition, brain integration, exercise, stretching, two-handed tennis and creative writing.   I had spent many years preparing myself to teach a young person like David Ganong, the first participant in the "Heroes-In-Training Program," the most valuable things I had learned in 30 years of health research. Boy, was I in for a big surprise! I erroneously believed I could transform him into the ultimate teenage athlete and genius. Little did I realize my expectations were radically different than his desires and interests.   Where does adult idealism and high expectations end and the childhood reality begin? I recently discovered the answer. It ends during your first couple of days of taking care of them! Everything that can go wrong will! My high hopes, great expectations and idealism diminished quickly. The nagging question, "How do parents raise kids without going insane?" repeated in my mind like a broken record.   First off, I waited for David at the wrong gate at the San Diego Airport. After the passengers emptied from the plane, a sick feeling arose in the pit of my stomach. "No David! What now? Do I have the airline and the flight number correct? Obviously not!"   I immediately checked with the agent. She searched for his name on all flights out of Boston. There was no listing. I wondered, "Am I getting old and senile or are his parents playing tricks?" I was looking for someone to blame. Had I transcribed the wrong information or did they mistakenly give me incorrect data? Is this a test of my intestinal fortitude and ingenuity? I began to feel the stress building, the anxiety increasing.   After numerous pages and missed connections, David came up and grabbed my arm, as I desperately searched for a face barely remembered, one that had almost certainly changed in the last 5 years. He said, "Ralph, I am glad I found you. I recognized you because you look the same but your hair is a lot grayer."   I thought sarcastically, "Fine, thanks a lot kid. You really know how to score points with someone, concerned about getting older." I began to get upset but suddenly realized his statement was only childhood honesty. I was getting older, just as he was becoming a young man.   We had started off on the wrong foot. Someone had blown the flight information, but everything worked out. He confessed being quite frightened after 90 minutes of searching for a familiar face. I was very relieved he had recognized mine, no matter how I had aged.   "Well David, what do you want to eat," I asked enthusiastically. I had accumulated the most nutritious food; alfalfa, clover and sunflower seed sprouts, three types of lettuce, cabbage, carrots and squash and sprouted grain Essene bread. I was ready, willing and able to feed him fresh fruits and juices, slightly steamed vegetables, delicious brown rice, soy protein smoothies, fertile brown eggs, lean steak and fresh fish. "Whoa, was I mistaken!"   David quickly set me straight, "I hate fish. I eat cereal with milk for breakfast. I usually have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. Pizza and ice cream are my favorite foods. I don't eat sprouts but like lettuce with Italian dressing! I like hamburgers and fries!"   I was stunned! I suddenly saw the big picture. I was learning fast about the nutritional battle that rages between kids that like junk food and parents that want them to eat healthy. His father, a medical doctor had counseled me long before David arrived, "Make sure he takes two acidophilus capsules in the morning, 40 minutes before eating. Give him two enzymes pills with every meal and two Super Blue Green Alpha and Omega Algae capsules at breakfast and lunch. Everything will be okay."   Dr. Ganong told me, "The acidophilus keeps his intestines healthy and elimination normal. The enzymes help break down all foods. The Omegas are nerve and brain cell food. The Alphas provide all the micro-nutrients required to keep him healthy and energetic."   This sounded good! I realized my only choice was to take the capsules also. If they helped a kid be healthy while eating what I considered junk food, perhaps they would help me survive a journey into the nightmare of "Junk Food Hell."   One thing that really surprised me was how much children sleep. David worked overtime at the San Diego Comic Convention. He interviewed Jim Shooter, one of the most important people in the comic industry and head of "Defiant Comics" (see page 16 of the Sept. 1, 1993 issue of the Eagle). We were up until 11 PM every night and had to get up early.   I thought David would want to get up at 5 AM every morning to work out on the "Life Cycle," "Stair Master," and Dyna-Cam machines, stretch and learn to play two-handed tennis. Was I in for another shock; one workout and that was it! The exercise part of the program was suddenly history!   "Welcome to child reality versus adult expectations!" David needed lots of sleep. On most days, after the third time of telling him, "David, it's time to get up," I realized I was doing something wrong. With no response other than open glazed eyes, it occurred to me to ask, "Are you listening to me?" The blank stare was enough. It dawned on me he was sleeping with his eyes open.   I wondered, "How do kids do this? Is he deliberately trying to torment me?" I soon discovered the answer was no. The simple fact is, kids need more sleep than adults; so much for the physical conditioning and tennis lessons.   Another question I asked often is, "Why do kids need a new towel every time they take a shower? After all, their bodies are clean when they come out of the shower, aren't they?" Theoretically, one towel should last at least a couple of weeks; it does for me. Besides, it is easy to tell when towels need washing. They stiffen from the dried minerals in San Diego's hard water!   For all you concerned moms, yes, I did burn the midnight oil washing clothes and towels. David insisted on clean clothes every day. This was a real eye opener, changing under wear I can understand but different pants every day? This was a mystery to me. "Ralph, welcome to laundry reality!"   My respect for parents, especially single moms and dads, escalated to the Nth degree. "How do they keep their sanity, feed the kids, clean the house, wash the clothes and make a living all at the same time?" I was just barely competent at all four! I wondered, "Does daily practice make it any easier?"   After the four days at the comic convention, David slept one entire day. I was very impressed with his sleeping ability. I assumed he was really tired. I had learned my lesson. Let him sleep and get as much done as possible.   For two days, David transcribed his interview with Jim Shooter and filled out his contest entry form to be a "Good Guy" in the "Defiant Comic Contest." David was very interested in winning the $1000 and royalty contract so he could buy a new CD-ROM drive for his Macintosh computer. We made a lot of trips to computer stores to look at software and hardware. David and I had a running battle over which was best, Windows or Macintosh based computers. After a few days, I didn't really care anymore.   During his stay, David proved he was a real HERO. He taught Kelly McCormack at the "Coronado Fitness Center" how to use her computer. David helped interview CHS Waterpolo Coach Randy Burgess. When he discovered the Coach had a software problem with his "Mac," David volunteered to fixed it. Randy, his wife, daughter and new son were so grateful, they bought him dinner at "La Salsa."   As a reward for his hard work and computer knowledge generosity, I decided take David in search of Heroes at the San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Universal Studios, Disneyland and Magic Mountain. We worked together to make "Eagle" Press Credential Passes. David helped write and fax In Search of Heroes Copywriting Program proposals to the different theme park public relation departments.   After going to the "Zoo" and "Sea World" I was sick of amusement park rides. We needed another teenager to accompany David. I called my best friends Cindy and Ted Neale. Their 15 year old daughter Laura was interested in participating in the "In Search of Heroes Copywriting  Program." I was thrilled and relieved.   We traveled to Los Angles and stayed at the luxurious home of Bernie Kowalski, television producer of "Magnum P.I.," "Air Wolf," "Perry Mason" and "Jake and the Fatman." Laura is his granddaughter and her parents were very gracious. We visited "Universal Studios," "Disneyland" and "Magic Mountain." Laura and David enjoyed just about every ride and interviewed Heroes in the public relations department at Disneyland. They evaluated all the rides and compared the features of each park. (These interviews will appear in a future issue of the Eagle.)   The whirlwind tour was exhausting and humorous. I will have a special report on the perceptions of my two cub journalists, their ratings of the parks and rides and the funny situations that occurred. We all ate lots of junk food and ice cream.   After my two weeks of parenting I am compelled to say, "Parents I salute and admire you! How do you do it? I thank God for Super Blue Green Algae that makes you smart, keeps you healthy and gives you energy, enzymes that digest pizza (which we ate continuously), and acidophilus that prevented constipation." Both David, Laura and I survived in style, became the best of friends, and learned to respect each other. Both David, Laura and I learned that becoming HEROES is not as simple as we thought.   I am thankful for the training I received during the "Heroes-In-Training Program." I have gained a greater appreciation and respect for young people and am beginning to understand parental responsibility. I need more parental and teenager input to improve the "In Search of Heroes Copywriting Program."  If you have any suggestions or want to get involved, call me at 619-795-9034.

"Read the Original Article That Created The First 'In Search Of Heroes^™' Program In The Coronado Eagle Newspaper"

by Ralph Zuranski

 

What is a Hero or Heroine?

 

How does one arrive at this exalted position? According to "Big Brain," my talking "Franklin Language Master," the attributes are the same for both sexes. Heroes are individuals admired for their achievements and qualities. They especially demonstrate the courage to conquer fear or despair. Where are the Heroes of today, when the world needs them so desperately?

 

Are we the audience and the major news media equally responsible for the lack of publicity for Heroes?

 

Have you ever wondered, "Why is there such a focus on traumatic, violent and frightening events?" Does a steady diet of this material perpetuate fear and despair?

 

Do we experience a vicarious thrill from the misfortune of others?

 

Are our senses dulled, ethics corrupted and morals so jaded we require greater quantities of violence and shocking events to stimulate our interest? I still remember when one murder caused social outrage and community activism!

 

Too many people today are apprehensive, frightened by things beyond the edges of perception.

 

They are afraid of many things. Riots, wars, terrorist acts and natural catastrophes are increasing in frequency and intensity.

 

Physical and emotional abuse, chronic diseases, financial failure affect every family to different degrees.

 

The consequences of unremitting fear just don't go away by themselves. The quality of life decreases dramatically when all hope is lost. Something positive must be done. A solution is to locate and publicize real-life Heroes in these fearful and perilous times.

 

The tremendous need for inspiration and positive role models increases exponentially with each horrific act and devastating event.

 

Experts believe a factor of ten times as much positive stimulus is required to overcome one negative event.

 

How many people are desirous of reading and seeing uplifting articles about people triumphing over human trials, tribulations and misery?

 

Are there any real-life Heroes laboring to help solve the immense social and environmental problems facing humanity?

 

I believe the answer is an emphatic yes! Heroes are everywhere!

 

They are ordinary people determined to serve and help others; to make the world a better place. Daily, across the face of the earth, people willingly assist family members, friends, and strangers.

 

They compassionately minister to the injured, poor and sick.

 

They Help Enthusiastically, Responsibly, Optimistically, Exceptionally and Socially (HEROES), with no fanfare, demand for recognition or public acclaim. These humble people of every race demonstrate the loftiest qualities of humanity.

 

Hopefully the news media will publish and broadcast these stories. The goals of the program will be to:

• Identify and praise local Heroes.

• Educate people about Heroes and heroic action.

• Inspire young people to want to become Heroes.

• Help young writers and photographers develop and perfect their writing skills.

• Receive published credit for their writing, art and photo contributions.

Extensive research has proven individuals often meet or exceed their own and other's expectations.

 

When children envision themselves as Heroes, heroic action is not far behind. Public recognition and concrete rewards for excellence are a wonderful incentive for young people. Every person can benefit by creating a Hero or Heroine within, to help them deal with the difficulties of life.

 

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

 

The creators of the "In Search Of Heroes Program" have the desire to inspire young children to dream, to imagine themselves Heroes. These people are working hard to create vehicles for the dreams of teenagers to become reality. As in the book "Dune," the dreamers must awaken. People need to believe they can make their dreams for global peace, joy, prosperity and love a universal experience. The heroic example of others is a prerequisite.

 

"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know; the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve." Dr. Albert Schweitzer.

 

If you want more information about the "In Search Of Heroes Program," contact Ralph Zuranski: 619-866-4764.

 

"Small opportunities are often the beginning of great enterprises." Demosthenes

 

Click the links below to see the photo album history of the program.

Click Here for the photos of the many people who helped make the "In Search Of Heroes™" Program a success.

 

Click Here to see the newspaper articles, business letters, faxes, mind-maps and PowerPoint presentations from the original "In Search Of Heroes™" Program.

 

Click Here to watch the video interviews of original local and national heroes.

 

Click Here to see the testimonials of those involved.

 

"Ralph realized in the year 2001 that the internet is the perfect vehicle to spread Good News world-wide instantly and inexpensively!"

 

He started attending internet marketing conferences in 2001, searching for the most successful copywriters, marketers, legal experts and software creators to help develop the training material for the new program. To pay his way at the conferences, Ralph photographed speakers and attendees.

 

He then created theme websites for each event to educate others about the "In Search of Heroes™" Program.

 

Click Here  for links to the Internet Marketing Photo sites to see the photos and the speakers sharing their wisdom through the captions under each photo. The message is so much more powerful when you combine words and photos of the speakers. The photos of attendees and the speakers created a definite sense of community where individuals were able to match the names on business cards with the faces of the people they met at the events.

 

"Leaders in the Internet community offered to help create the training course that will make the 2007 'In Search Of Heroes™' internet marketing program an international success!"

 

Many of the top internet experts were recognized as Internet Heroes by Ralph Zuranski. The leading internet professionals, copywriters, marketing experts, lawyers and asset protection specialists and software developers, volunteered to help create the training material for the In Search Of Heroes™ Program. You can benefit from their amazing wisdom by reading their articles published daily in the "In Search Of Heroes™" Blog.

 

"The Internet Marketing Training Course will include copywriting as a primary focus because of the incredible power of words to transform people's hearts and minds."

 

Many of the top copywriters like Ted Nicholas, David Garfinkel, Michel Fortin, Joe Vitale, Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero, Vicky Heron, Alex Mandossian, Craig Garber, Craig Perrine, Troy White and Carl Galletti volunteered to be interviewed and create course material for the program. Many have kindly offered the use of their educational articles at no cost to the visitors to this site. Every day new articles are posted on the "In Search Of Heroes™" Blog for your reading pleasure.

 

"Using the newest internet technologies along with the application of the best marketing wisdom and most effective copywriting techniques, the program will be an important vehicle for generating income for community programs that need funding."

 

The internet leaders want to teach young people how to use the power of words, audio, video, blogs and podcasting to promote "Good News" about local heroes and their businesses or the companies they work for.  When these individuals receive the recognition they deserve and their businesses generate greater income, because of this valuable exposure, they have the time and money to make a beneficial difference in their community.

 

"Once students learn how to write copy, develop websites and work with audio and video, they can help small businesses in their community generate income through he internet."

 

Working as interns in different businesses will give students the experience they need to excel in the business world after they graduate. The community works together to benefit everyone, especially those in the greatest need.

 

"The 'In Search Of Heroes™' Internet Marketing Training Course will revolutionize the learning experience for students."

 

The interviews of the copywriting and internet marketing super stars will be transformed into a course that includes the videos, audios and text. The material will be presented in multiple learning formats so each person can benefit from the information presented in the way that stimulates and enhances their ability to learn. We will use mind-maps and brain balancing images and colors that appeal to how boys and girls brains and left and right hemispheres process information differently. These advanced techniques of teaching will insure, "No child is left behind!"

 

"Health Heroes will help young people to feel like Heroes...to discover their own Heroic potential within, to have a clear mind, plenty of energy and balanced emotions"

 

Many health professionals volunteered to help young people look and feel their best by sharing the secrets of health they discovered during their medical careers.

 

Doctor Michael Borkin, NMD is a leader and pioneer in research on hormones and how to balance them. Click Here to read Dr. Borkin's article about stress.

 

Doctor Dean Howell, NMD created a therapy called Neurocranial Restructuring that balances all the bones in the body and skull so the entire body can work the way it was designed to. Click Here to listen to Dr. Howell's health heroes interview.

 

Richard Merbler is one of the top rolfers in the world who transforms people's bodies and emotions for the better through deep tissue massage.

 

Doctor Joseph Edward Allen, MD is one of the finest family medicine doctors in the world. He is helping my mom and dad stay alive after they suffered catastrophic illnesses in the middle of 2004, congestive heart failure for my mom and a massive paralyzing stroke for my dad. I am very grateful for his kind and compassionate care for them.

 

Doctor Ralph Miranda, MD is a leader in medicine and a well-known speaker and teacher at medical conferences.

 

 Doctor Bob Martin, MD is a leader in sports medicine and has worked with student and Olympic athletes.

 

 Doctor Robert Rowen, MD is personally responsible for medical freedom by making a stand for the residents of Alaska when he, Governor Hickel, Senator Ward and others fought to make beneficial therapies available for residents.

 

Doctor Jonathan Wright, MD has been a pioneer in nutrition and wrote some of the first books on this subject.

 

"These are the thought provoking questions students will ask local Heroes in their community."

1. What do you want out of life in ten words or less?

2. What is the dream or vision that sets the course of your life?

3. How important is it to stay focused on your primary goal?

4. Do you follow your hunches and intuition?

5. What specific philosophy or philosophies guide your life and decisions?

6. What is your perspective on goodness, ethics and moral behavior?

7. What place does the power of prayer have in your life?

8. What principles are you willing to sacrifice your life for?

9. Are your actions and goals consistent with your beliefs?

10. Is it valuable to have highly charged emotions about achieving your goals?

11. Is it useful to take a positive view of setbacks, misfortunes and mistakes?

12. Is optimism valuable?

13. Do you maintain your sense of humor in the face of serious problems?

14. Do you take time out of your day to feed your subconscious positive thoughts about you, your goals and dreams?

15. Do you have the courage to pursue new ideas?

16. Were you willing to experience discomfort in the pursuit of your dream?

17. Is it beneficial to make decisions quickly?

18. Are you slow to revise or reverse an important decision?

19. How were you able to overcome your doubts and fears?

20. Do you readily forgive those who upset, offend and oppose you?

21. Do you experience service to others as a source of joy?

22. When was the lowest point in your life and how did you change your life path to one of victory over the obstacles you were facing at that time?

23. Was there anyone who helped give you the willpower to change things in you life for the better?

24. How important was it to believe your financial dreams would eventually become reality?

25. Why is it valuable to know exactly how much money you want to have in your bank account and when?

26. What is your definition of heroism?

27. Did you ever create a secret hero in your mind that helped you deal with life’s difficulties?

28. What were the qualities and attributes of your secret hero or your real life heroes when you were growing up?

29. Who are the HEROES in your life now?

30. How important is it to have trusted friends or a master mind group to bounce your ideas off?

31. How do they make a positive difference in your life?

32. Who do you feel are the real heroes in our society today that are not getting the recognition and rewards they deserve?

33. Why are HEROES so important in the lives of young people?

34. 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?

35. How do people become heroes?

36. How does it feel to be recognized as an Internet HERO?

37. Why do you think you were selected for this unique honor?

38. How will being recognized as an Internet HERO change your life?

39. How are you making the world a better place?

40. Do you have any good solutions to the problems facing society, especially racism, child and spousal abuse and violence among young people?

41. If you had three wishes for your life and the world, that would instantly come true, what would they be?

42. What do you think about the In Search Of Heroes Program and its impact on youth, parents and business people?