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MESSAGE #1125 GREATNESS

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ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Regardless of title, bank balance or age, each individual has the ability to be a force for good. One person can make a difference. As Mahatma Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” (From Success Magazine)

Is it good enough to be great at your sport or job?

Or is part of greatness making a difference in the world, being a role model or inspiring others?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to be the best in the world, as long as you are being the best FOR the world.

Go all out. Lead by example.

Start today.

MESSAGE #902 CAN ONE PERSON MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

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“Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.”
-author unknown

Do you think that one person can make a difference?

I do.

What if one car broke down in the Lincoln Tunnel?

Traffic would be backed up for miles.

But I challenge you to do something positive. Something that makes a difference.

Last night I went to an amazing benefit concert, Wintermezzo, at Princeton University, celebrating the 96th birthday of William H. Scheide, featuring the Wiener KammerOrchester, conductor, Maestro Mark Laycock and George-Emmanuel Lazaridis on piano.

There were fifty musicians in the orchestra, and if one of them made a mistake, it would have ruined the whole show.

Do you still think that one person cannot make a difference?

What can you do today to make a difference on your sports team…in school…at work…or in your relationships?

Compliment.
Give an all-out effort.
Lead by example.
Win or learn.
Just do it (whether you feel like it or not)
Smile.
Change the world.

The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.
-NELSON HENDERSON

MESSAGE #784 IT’S ABOUT OTHERS…

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“If you want happiness for an hour – take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day – go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month – get married.
If you want happiness for a year – inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime – help someone else.”
-From the Federal Palace Restaurant in Hong Kong (Thanks, Guy Kawasaki!)

Last night I attended a benefit for HomeFront, an organization that helps families “break the cycle of poverty.”

Every single night, HomeFront helps…

-Over 450 children and parents sleep soundly in a safe place

-171 people reside in HomeFront’s permanent, affordable, service-enriched housing

92% of their funds go directly to their programs, and they have just started a Women’s Initiative, empowering women.

I went to show my support and to donate a signed copy of my book. I also spoke briefly and shared a story on how the key to true happiness is helping others.

I remember a story about two men standing at their friend’s funeral and one of them asking the other, “How much did he leave?”

The other responded, “He left…everything.”

See, many of us go through life trying to accumulate as many things as we can – homes, cars, electronics, but we can’t take any of that with us.

At the end of our lives, it doesn’t matter how much we have.

All that matters is what we leave behind. How much of a difference we made. How we treated others.

I don’t get paid to blog every day, but it motivates me to motivate others. It’s my way of making a difference, in my own little way.

Am I perfect?

Not even close.

But I’m doing what I love and appreciate every single day – I’m just like you – trying to become a little bit better every day.

I have been fortunate to realize that external riches are nothing without internal riches. Now go make a difference today!

Have a super day, everyone.

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #456 BE A SANTA…

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Justin Cohen.

The best way to help yourself is by helping others. Some of you bought my book on Sunday, and I appreciate that, but not that many people bought it. Many people say they are going to do things, but they don’t.

I’m going to go on a diet.

I’m going to quit smoking.

I’m going to take up the guitar.

And it wasn’t about me making money because I’m not going to see a penny of it. It’s going to the NJTL of Trenton.

Okay, I forgive you and here’s your chance to redeem yourself…

Be a santa! I am a captain for Stockings with Care this year.

Stockings with Care is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to making sure that families in need have everything they need to create the magic of Christmas morning for their kids. Last year, Stockings with Care played Santa to over 2000 kids. For us, it’s about opening hearts, inspiring dreams and preserving the dignity of parents and their families.


Stockings with Care works with coalitions that assist families either living in homeless shelters or who are in jeopardy of becoming homeless and can not afford to celebrate their holiday. Social workers at each of these coalitions work with the parents to make their wish lists. These lists are passed on to Stockings with Care. Through the generosity of our individual Santas, private and corporate donors and a small army of volunteers, we make sure that every child gets at least two things on their list and that each child has at least three gifts to open on Christmas morning. Thousands of gifts are wrapped and delivered to the parents, empowering them to create magic for their kids.

Of course, lots of kids ask for what every kids wants – toys. But there are an equal number of requests for life’s essentials. Clothes. Books. Strollers, Diapers. One year, a child even asked for dog food so that they didn’t have to give up the family dog that they could no longer afford. We delivered a year’s supply of dog food.

Stockings With Care was founded in 1992 by Rosalie Joseph and Tom Fontana. And every year since then, sometime in early October, we come together to make this happen. There is no office. There are no salaries. Members have even donated their phone numbers for the two months leading up to the holidays. 100% of the money we raise and 100% of our volunteers’ efforts go to our kids.

We need santas! You basically just purchase a gift for a child…not a major commitment on your part, but imagine the look on the child’s face when they open it…Email me for details: .


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #453 TOMORROW IS MAKE A DIFFERENCE DAY…

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I can’t wait until tomorrow…

Yes, tomorrow is my birthday, but that’s not why I’m excited.

I’m excited because for every book I sell on Amazon, I am donating a book to the NJTL of Trenton, a non -profit that provides tennis, education and nutrition to children in need. I am going to sign and personally deliver the books to their office in time for the holidays. I’m not going to make money on my birthday, but I’m going to do something better…

I’m going to make a difference.

See, life is not about how much you get – life’s about how much you give.

So please buy my book tomorrow on Amazon…email all your friends, family and co-workers, post it on your status on facebook, tell everyone following you on twitter, and if you can’t afford $15, beg, borrow, but don’t steal…It will help out a child in need and it will be your way of making a difference.

“I wanted to spend my life doing something that made a difference in the lives of others.”

-Joe Holland


Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #451 MAKE IT GREAT…AND MAKE IT KNOWN

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Today’s message is especially dedicated to all the volunteers for Stockings with Care.

I’m giving a talk today to the business fraternity and students at Montclair State University. I am looking forward to it. Looking forward to meeting new people and hopefully motivating new people. I like to think that I’m making a difference.

Tonight, I have a meeting for the non-profit, Stockings with Care in New York City. “Stockings” provides toys, books, clothes, diapers and more for families in need. One year, a child asked for dog food so they could afford to keep their family companion. Stockings with Care sent a year’s worth of dog food. Making a difference.

I can’t tell you how much time I spend promoting my book and my motivational talks. And I can’t tell you how much of a buzz is being created around the world.

It’s not enough to be doing good things…people have to know about it. Put yourself out there.

So if you want to make more friends, go to where people are spending time.

If you want to get more clients, go to more networking events.

If you want to promote your concert at Carnegie Hall, start printing some flyers.

“It’s not only what you know, but who you know and who knows YOU.”

Thanks for reading.

MESSAGE #432 THE MOST IMPORTANT BLOG ENTRY OF MY LIFE…(SO FAR)

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For those of you that want to make a difference in the world…here’s your chance.

My birthday, October 26th is right around the corner and I know what you’re thinking…

“Will the Aston Martin arrive in time for Ed’s birthday?”

But seriously, folks, here’s what I’d like you to do for my birthday this year…

I want you to buy my book. I want your friends and family to buy my book. I want everyone at your office to buy my book. But I don’t want people to buy my book for me, because guess what?

I’m not going to see a penny of it!

For every book I sell on October 26th, 2008, I will donate one book to a child from the National Junior League of Trenton. The NJTL of Trenton provides educational, tennis and nutritional programs to under-privileged children in Trenton, NJ. I will personally sign, and hand-deliver the books to Dan Faber, the executive director of the program in time for the holidays.

So mark your calendars…October 26th at 9AM, tell everyone you know to buy my book on Amazon.com!… http://www.amazon.com/Game-Set-Life-Performance-Sports/dp/1419654756

Yeah, I’m talking to you…

Luigi Moriello, the soccer great in Naples, Italy…

Brooke Eastwood in Phoenix, Arizona…

Jake Myers in Belgium…

my 102 year old grandmother in the Bronx…

Richard Hall in Big Rapids, Michigan…

Nicole Arendt in Sydney, Australia…

Chris Kennedy in West Palm Beach, Florida…

Bob Emmons at UC-Davis…

and everyone else…

BEG, BORROW, but don’t steal. It’s only $15. You have 22 days to email this blog entry to everyone in your email contacts, tell all your friends on facebook, let everyone following you on twitter know what’s going on this October 26th.

And you know what? For those of you in the Princeton, NJ area…let’s make a party out of it…

Come to Amalfi’s Restaurant in Lawrenceville at 6pm on the 26th and I’ll have the Moriello family put out some great food (remember the vodka rigatoni and chicken francaise at my book signing?). Mamma mia! I’ll have my laptop there so if you don’t order earlier, you can order “Game. Set. Life.” online there.

I know MY most rewarding moments have been when I’ve helped others…here’s your chance.

“The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live.”

-Ethel Percy Andrus

“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.”

-Anthony Robbins

Thanks for reading…