Gratitude Is Its Own Reward

Thanksgiving is not just a national holiday, it's state of mind. Giving thanks, expressing gratitude, being thankful, is an attitude that whispers to your subconscious mind that you are fortunate, fulfilled, and prosperous. It is not only the appreciation and celebration of what you have, it is a crucial aspect of the process of receiving.

If you aren't expressing gratitude for all that you receive, you are blocking the emotional and psychological flow of receiving more. Remember that whatever you focus your attention on increases. If you focus on problems... you'll get more problems. But if you focus on what Zig Ziglar calls "an attitude of gratitude", you'll get more of what makes you grateful.

On an interpersonal level, in your relationships, if you don't express gratitude to those who have been generous to you, whether in big ways or small, how likely are they to want to continue giving to you?

And besides, being grateful just feels good. It's a healthy state of mind, and it's one form of giving back to those who have given to you.

And as we approach this season of "Giving Thanks", I'm reminded of all that I have to be grateful for... my family and friends, my clients, customers, and business acquaintances, and all the wealth of opportunities, new friends, challenges, and so much more that I've been so fortunate to receive in the past year.

And finally, to you, I appreciate your interest, support, and attention, and wish you all the best in the coming year... and hope that you will "pass it on", and discover the wealth of experiencing and expressing your own gratitude. Be well.

My Press Release on Holiday Party Planning Resources

I just published a press release on my various tips and resources for planning holiday parties that can be found on my website.

At the Whammy Bar Tonight!

Just a reminder that I'm currently working at the Whammy Bar in downtown Peoria on Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 8 pm, doing tableside close up magic.

Stop by for dinner, they've got a surprisingly decent menu.

A couple of weeks ago, Councilman Ryan Spain was in with his lovely wife. They both had some really nice things to say about my magic. (Which actually means something coming from Ryan, as his father is a very talented magician, and an old friend of mine, Steve Spain, who owns The Costume Trunk.)

I won't be there next week on Thanksgiving, of course, so why not make it out tonight?

Hope to see you there!

Rotary International

I'm really happy to announce that last week I was officially inducted into Rotary International here at the local club in Canton, Illinois. For any of you who aren't familiar with Rotary, it is a service based organization with more than 1.2 million members in 33,000 clubs worldwide. Their motto is "Service Above Self", and Rotary members are volunteers who work locally, regionally, and internationally to combat hunger, improve health and sanitation, provide education and job training, promote peace, eradicate polio, and much more.

If you've been a subscriber to my newsletter, The Magic Word, for any length of time, you'll know that I'm a big proponent of service, in both business and personal life. I'm very much looking forward to my work with and through Rotary.

Recreating America

I just saw a truly inspiring program on PBS, entitled, Recreating America, on the importance of integrating the arts and creativity into all aspects of education. When education is done this way, presenting all subjects creatively, with active involvement from students, utilizing the arts at all levels of the curriculum, students do better across the board, and the entire attitude towards school and learning shifts from drudgery to inspired involvement and high achievement. Following an educational initiative in Oklahoma, the program explores how using creativity in education in a variety of ways enhances learning for students from preschool to high school levels and beyond.

Article on AOL Financial Site

Hey, here's some exciting news: I was just featured in an article on the AOL Money & Finance site, WalletPop. The article is titled: 10 fun jobs that pay well. And I'm one of those 10 featured jobs! Check it out here.

Illinois Special Events Convention

For event planners: this is late notice, but I just learned about the 13th annual, Illinois Special Events Network State Convention, which is taking place this week, November 3 & 4, in Tinley Park. Here's a brochure on the event.

Still Time to Catch Me at Wildlife Scary Park

Just a quick update: last weekend at Wildlife Scary Park was great, and we're gearing up for the final weekend. Don't miss it!

I also had a great show yesterday at Spoon River College, and had fun afterwards watching their Halloween costume contest.

Wildlife Scary Park is seriously expanded this year, and man is it awesome. It's definitely the total Halloween event. Come on out, I promise you won't be disappointed. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings from 5--9 pm. My showtimes are: 5:45, 6:45, 7:45 & 8:45.

And if you know any "wizards in training", check out my Wildlife Scary Park Magic Shop, where we offer magic sets and other magic goodies that you can learn to do.

If you do stop out, please be sure to grab me and say "Hi!"

See you there.

OH, and don't forget that I'll be at The Whammy Bar, starting Thursday, Nov. 4!

Good Company on WHOI

Here's my spot on Good Company from this evening.

TV Appearances and Some "Scary" Shows

I'm going to be on TV this week! This evening, I'm doing a spot on Good Company with Mark Welp and Gretchen Wirtz at 5 pm on WHOI-TV 19. And on Wednesday morning (probably around 6 am, give or take a little) I'll be a guest on the News 25 Today program with Garry Moore on WEEK-TV 25.

On each of these, I'll be talking about National Magic Month, my upcoming events, and doing a little magic.

And speaking of more upcoming events... I guess the cat's out of the bag (especially if you watch my TV spots)... I'm pleased to say that I'm going to be performing at this year's Wildlife Scary Park at Wildlife Prairie State Park, near Hanna City. Always a huge attraction in the central Illinois area, bringing over 10,000 visitors each year, this year's Scary Park is improved and expanded, with several new attractions, one of which is ME!

Wildlife Scary Park runs Oct. 22--24 and 29--31, from 5 to 9 pm each evening. I'll be performing several wizard/ Halloween themed shows each night, and for those budding young wizards-in-training, in between my shows, we'll be offering magic kits and other magic items that kids can get to learn their own magic.

Watch for me on TV, and bring the whole family out to see my scary magic shows and other Halloween thrills at Wildlife Scary Park!