I saw an inspiring video about a young man with Down Syndrome who worked as a bagger in a supermarket. In addition to enjoying connecting with customers, Johnny wanted to contribute to their day. So he wrote down his favorite inspiring quotations, had them photocopied, and each day he slipped a different quote in each customer's bag as they were checking out.

     After a while the supermarket manager noticed that the line for checkout at Johnny's station was three times the length of the other lines. The manager dispatched more clerks to equalize the lines, but the customers in Johnny's line refused to move. They wanted their daily quote. (Some of them came into the store daily just to get it.) (Click here to see video.)

     In a world that is become increasingly dehumanized, people are craving connection. As technology has reduced most business interactions to digital blips, the human contact element is becoming more crucial. I predict that the businesses that offer humanity as well as technology will be on the leading edge of success. For example, I recently phoned a computer business to order a part. I was greeted by a typical "all of our agents are busy" message, but then this message took a (welcome) left turn. A pleasant voice added, "So why not take a deep breath and relax, and we'll be with you shortly."  I was delighted to hear this human note in a highly technical arena. I, for one, will phone that company again.

     The most powerful spirituality is to bring light to the world right where you stand. My friends Sylvan and Suzie Schwab direct the East Maui Animal Refuge, a sanctuary for injured and unwanted animals. The refuge houses about 600 critters: cats, dogs, deer, geese, pigs, birds, and you name it. The Schwabs and their volunteer staff are up before dawn and work until dusk feeding, medicating, bandaging, and loving their honored animal guests. When a local magazine interviewed Sylvan, the reporter concluded that he was something of a saint, and told him that he would surely go to heaven when he dies. Sylvan's response: "I don’t need to wait until I die to go to heaven. I am already there."

  You cannot personally transform the entire world. But you can transform your portion of it. Connect with yourself, spirit, and others right where you stand, and the rest will take care of itself. Then people will be lined up for your station, and the quotes you drop into their bags will be made not of paper, but gold.

   This story says it all: When Bob came home from work, all he wanted to do was relax in his easy chair and read the evening paper. Unfortunately, his six-year-old son Tommy had a different idea. "Will you play with me, Daddy?" Tommy persistently asked.

      After unsuccessfully trying to put Tommy off, a scheme spawned in Bob's mind. He removed a page from the newspaper, which happened to be a photo of the earth. Then he tore the picture into a hundred little pieces, and gave them to his son. "Here’s a fun jigsaw puzzle, Tommy," Bob explained. "Take it to your room and put it together with some tape. When you are done, daddy will play with you." Tommy enthusiastically ran off with the game and Bob sat back, smugly proud that he had bought himself some time.

To Bob's surprise, Tommy returned just ten minutes later with the entire photo of the earth page intact. "How did you do that?" asked Bob incredulously; "I couldn't have done that puzzle in half an hour!"        

"Well," answered Tommy innocently, "the picture of the earth you gave me was too complicated; there were so many pieces, and they all looked the same. So I turned over one of the pieces and on it was the picture of a man's hand. I turned over another piece, and there was the picture of a foot. It was easier to put one man together than the whole earth. Then I discovered that when the man came together, so did the earth!"

           Alan

Click Here to Receive Daily Inspirational Quote

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ALASKA

Cruise into Self-Discovery

August 12-19, 2007

 

 

A floating seminar aboard the magnificent

Celebrity Infinity

 with Alan Cohen, Anne Emerson

 Barry Dennis and Tarra Walter

 

 

Join us this summer on the Inside Passage and

• Nurture your mind and spirit

• Learn from illuminating teachers

• Connect with like-minded people

• Explore unspoiled nature in daily excursions

• Luxuriate on an elegant cruise ship

• An unforgettable vacation/seminar you will always cherish

Starting at $1,995 for cruise and seminar.

 

Book now - space limited.

 

Click here for additional information
or to reserve your space.

 

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You don’t need to put more energy out. You need to let more spirit in. 

 

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Wingert Watch

 

 

 

   Many of you have been avid listeners of Dave Wingert’s wonderful radio program, and heard his interviews with me either on the air or archived on my website.  When Dave’s show went off the air for a while I promised to let you know where and when he would reappear. I am happy to let you know that Dave is now broadcasting a great new show from KGOR in Omaha, Nebraska, every weekday from 5:30 – 10:00 am. Even better news, all of you can listen via streaming audio on the internet, no matter where you live. Click here to log onto Dave's streaming audio broadcast. You will hear new interviews between the two of us, plus lots of great ideas and music. Welcome back, Dave!