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If I am to teach my children the way of life that calls for the most happiness, I’d say the way is through two words: Think Again.

What I notice in all of my travels is how “programmed” people are. Very few truly listen to what their deepest informed self speaks to, but instead respond with the thoughts that have been implanted by external sources.

I saw this guy on TV, who blew himself up for a living. There’s a desperate career choice. Did this guy go to a job counselor: “Mr. Smith, based on what we have learned about you, have you thought about a career in self demolition? According to our aptitude tests, the best way for you to make a living is to blow yourself up.”

This is a list of things about me that I have rarely (if at all) admitted to anyone. I will do five at a time. If any of you want to start sending me some of yours, we can have some fun by opening up.

1. I did not like the Beatles or Bob Dylan until very recently. I usually do not like things that are popular, and wait a while till I check them out again.

2. I get the words “effect” and “affect” confused, frequently interchanging them. When writing, I avoid the words so I don’t make a fool of myself. I hate being corrected.

3. Until recently, I miss spelled “Michael”…“Micheal.”

I performed at a high school a couple of weeks ago. No, not for high school students, although there were some there, but rather for an adult crowd, as we were raising money for the band and color guard. With so many of the arts programs under-funded and being cut, it’s something very important to me to help lend a hand. Plus, if I were not a geek in the arts, I would not be where I am today!

I loved the crowd who showed up at the Patriot High School theatre, but had to deal with a man who was one of the worst behaved drunken patrons I have ever come across in all my years of stand up.

My nephew Quint came out from Philadelphia to L.A. for a Spring Break visit to celebrate his fourteenth birthday. My sons Justin and Jared were thrilled to have their older cousin stay with them for a six day sleepover.

One game the boys share is a love for the “Air Soft” gun, a modern day (safer) way to shoot one another without the plastic bullet being able to penetrate the skin as I used to have with the Daisy Rifle BB gun I shot as a kid.

Here's an old blog I found. Originally written on Dec. 11, 2008.

“It’s the economy, stupid.” Or is it “the stupid economy?”

They say that folks vote on the economy more than any other issue. Voters look at their bank account and give the nod to a candidate based on their financial situation.

Ever watch the PBS pledge shows with Wayne Dyer offering his “Whole Enchilada” multi media self help set?

If you haven’t caught the pitch, I will give you an idea of the program.

Obviously I travel a lot and am in hotel rooms for a third of my life, which means I surf the TV with great frequency. What channel I land on depends on my mood and demeanor. I might feel like mindless programs or sports reporter shows. I dig documentary-type of films and shows. Mostly, I enjoy seeing something that uplifts and enlightens.

Had a memory the other day about my childhood. I ordered a banana split at my local Baskin Robbins and thought of my first taste of this sumptuous treat, a day long before I considered it a decadent departure from my food plan. A time when having a little dessert had no meaning, other than it makes you feel good. There was no “guilty” to the pleasure.

On occasion, I am faced with an opposing force who seems bent on being right, in their premise about me or something I am doing. All energy from that person focuses on the case to be right, and very little attention is paid to hearing another perspective.

If there is one thing I have learned through ten years of planning the perfect Christmas for children, it’s that there is no way to lay out a morning that will cause the kids a deep and profound memory that will endure through their lifetime.

When I was Justin and Jared’s age, the yuletide holiday was an event like no other, with a build up of anticipation akin to a rocket launch.