American Gift Club

Many people have a contorted idea of what success is and isn’t. So what’s the answer?

Over the years, I have heard dozens of definitions of success or:

· what success is
· what success can be
· how to find success
· how to maintain success
· how to enjoy success
· how to feel successful when you aren’t
· how to share your success
· who is successful and who isn’t
· why success is important
· why we lose success
· and numerous similar concepts.

I would like to focus on what success isn’t, and what gets in our way as we search after it.

Please keep in mind that success is defined differently by everyone. Each of us puts our own personal twist on what we feel represents success in our lives. To one person success is money, to another it is good health. To many it is a pleasant lifestyle, and to others just getting through another day. During my life, I have been at the bottom of the barrel and I have been to the mountaintop. I have known the sting of failure and the thrill of achievement. But in all of these circumstances, the one concept that helped me maintain a sense of inner peace and calm was my definition of success - that became the watchword for my life during whatever was going on in my world.

Success isn’t:
· more money than you can spend.
· career accolades.
· a position of influence.
· a new car every year.
· a bigger house.
· financial security

Read Full Article

Resources for

American Gift Club

Professionals tell us that two human emotions cannot occupy the same space at the same time…you’re either sad…or you’re happy! My choice is to be happy…or, at least try to be happy!

I’ve been in the humor business for a long time, and I never get tired of putting a smile on somebody’s face, even if it’s just for a few seconds, etc. The sound of laughter is great! Humor started for me when I was eleven years old, and you can read about how it all started in another piece I wrote entitled, How I Got Started in Humor.

Laughter is the best medicine, and it has been humor that has helped me to cope through my darkest days…and, there have been many! Humor is therapeutic for me…and, I use it through thick and thin. Everytime I put a smile on somebody’s face, it makes my day…it gives me a lift. I know I’ve done something to make somebody happy, and that’s important to me.

So, how does humor help me to cope? Example: I was in the hospital once for about a week, and when I got there, I was in intensive care, with a bleeding stomach! One day, a nurse came into the room carrying a clip board and she was going to ask me several questions. She said there were about 15 questions she would ask me, so she began.

Everytime she would ask me a question, I would answer it with a silly or ridiculous answer in an attempt to make her laugh, and then I would follow the silly answer with a straight and serious answer! It was a little game I was playing with her, and she seemed to enjoy it. The nurse asked me questions that went something like this:

Nurse: "Mr. Aragon, do you smoke?"

Jerry: "Only when I’m on fire!"

Nurse: "Mr. Aragon, do you drink?"

Jerry: "Drink what? Orange juice…carrot juce…what? I don’t drink anymore…I don’t drink any less, either!" (Gotcha)

Nurse: "Mr. Aragon, are you allergic to anything?"

Read Full Article

Resources for

American Gift Club