The Power of a Positive Mental Attitude: Patrick Devlyn

When I think of people who I admire, I can name a number of people, from a number of different walks of life, who I admire for a variety of reasons.

But one person who I happen to have a great deal of admiration for is also a personal friend. His name is Patrick Devlyn.

If you’re from Mexico, you will most certainly recognize the name “Devlyn”.

Patrick is the Vice-President of Devlyn Opticos, an optometry company whose humble roots go back to a small optical store in Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso. That’s where his parents began selling eyeglasses at the end of the 1930s. From that small store, the family business would grow to some 500 stores today, spread across Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.

That’s an amazing success story, and is worthy of a book all by itself.

But what stands out about Patrick is something else – something which has no doubt played a key part in the success he and his company have enjoyed.

See, Patrick is without question, the most positive, optimistic person I have ever met.

His energy is infectious, and you just find yourself wanting to be a part of it.

Patrick has a long involvement with Rotary International, and he’s become well-known in those circles (and elsewhere) for his motivational talks. He’s entertaining, he’s sincere, and you can just feel the positive energy radiating from him. He is a true leader.

You can’t help but feel good after listening to Patrick give a speech.

His key message is precisely that – the importance of having a positive mental attitude.

In fact, any time I get the urge to tell somebody about any particular problem that might be bothering me, I just think of something Patrick says.

As he points out, 80% of people don’t care about your problems, and the other 20% secretly take delight in the fact that you’re feeling worse than they are!

It’s a humorous way of looking at it, but he makes a valid point. Besides, negative people attract other negative people, while positive people attract other positive people.

When you stay on a positive track, you find ways to overcome any challenges that may come up. Staying positive is the key to better decisions, better relationships, and better results in all aspects of your life.

Patrick Devlyn is proof positive that a positive mental attitude brings results.

Putin: Commie, KGB Spy, Tourist.

Love this pic uncovered by Sky News.

That's current Russian President/Dictator Vladimir Putin, pretending to be a tourist during a visit by President Reagan to Moscow in the 1980s.

Of course, he was no tourist. He was a KGB spy.

And now he's chummy with such "leaders" as the Castro Brothers and Hugo Chavez.

That reminds me ... I think I'll cross out "Visit Moscow" from my list of things to do.

Happy B-day Patrick Duffy!

How did I miss such a momentous occasion?

Yesterday, March 17, was a big day -- the 60th birthday of the one and only, Patrick Duffy.










Here's what the man on the street had to say (above):
http://www.theonion.com/content/amvo/happy_birthday_patrick_duffy

And here's what people are saying about his new upcoming film, He's Such a Girl:
http://www.theonion.com/content/amvo/patrick_duffys_new_film

Hmmm ... wonder what Larry Hagman is up to these days ...

Dick Dale R.O.X.

Last night was the fifth time I had the good fortune to see a living legend in concert -- the one, the only, Dick Dale.

The man who takes a Fender reverb unit and cranks the volume up to 11 did not disappoint.

The opening twangs filled the room even before the King of the Surf Guitar hit the stage. The crowd was electric as soon as they heard the signature style of Dale, even while he was still backstage.

He made his entrance, playing as he walked onto the stage from the dressing room.

Dick's music is so intense, it leaves you feeling the vibration of it throughout the entire show -- and for some hours afterward.

I shot some video of the event, but alas, capturing the sound was not easy (no surprise there).

Nevertheless, it was great to see he still has the same magic touch as always.

Check out his opening number, the electrifying "Nitro".

Ramblings from Huntington Beach

It's Saturday, and the pier area is particularly infested with Jesus freaks today.

No offense ... I'm sure he was a good guy and everything, but I don't come to the beach to be told I'm going straight to the hot place if I don't follow the bible in the way you happen to interpret it.

Quite frankly, I bet if Jesus were here right now, he wouldn't be preaching. He'd probably be getting a "strawberry surf rider" at Jamba Juice, then would be hangin' out on the beach getting some rays for a bit.

And I bet he'd go for the fish tacos at Wahoo's.

Black President!

Still a little loopy in the head from the festivities at tonight's concert ... but I must heartily recommend Black President.

And no, that's not a reference to the current occupant of the White House ... it's the name of one of the hottest new bands going.

Lead by a good friend of mine, Christian Martucci (who does a bitchin' job on vocals/guitar), they were formed in Los Angeles, and are now touring the country.

Check 'em out -- www.myspace.com/blackpresident.

The sky is falling, part II: Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics

I read one of the most ridiculous headlines ever today.

A story from Reuters ran with this heading:

45 percent of world’s wealth destroyed: Blackstone CEO

Really???

Has 45% of the world’s physical assets suddenly been launched into space, never to be seen again? Have people suddenly become 45% less able to think and create for themselves?

Of course not!

Only artificially-set numbers on paper have changed. The inherent value of my “stuff” and my ability to create wealth has not changed one iota.

Unless I believe it to be true.

The great writer Mark Twain put it very well. As he said, “There are three types of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.”

Well said!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Run for the hills!

I love watching CNN. Everyday, they give me new “evidence” of the “economic crisis”.

If I believed everything they told me, I’d think the only thing left to do is to go build a bunker or run off into the hills, because the sky is obviously falling, and there’s nothing we can do about it.

And they’re so concerned with sucking up to the President, they don’t even question why he’s spending such a frightening amount of money, all in the name of a “crisis”.

CNN ought to call itself what it really is – Constantly Negative News.

Let’s set things straight.

The sky is NOT falling. It’s in the same place today as it was yesterday, and it’ll be in the same place tomorrow as well.

Our ability to earn money, make a living, and do stuff we want to do is in no way limited by what others like CNN choose to perceive as reality.

The only limits are those that we artificially set for ourselves. Period.

Don't believe it? Then stay tuned for more ...