Have a Happy & Healthy New Year! - the Parklander

The Powerful Influence of
By Sid Marcus
Sid Marcus has been actively involved in the area of communication for more
than 40 years, sharing his skills and knowledge with adults and youth. He has
been an accomplished speaker with a Toastmasters International membership
since 1966. His passion to reach out to others in order to improve their
quality of life and achieve their goals has resulted in over 4200 students graduating
in South Florida from the Toastmasters Youth Leadership
program. He has conducted 19 workshops for the Broward County school
system for practicing and potential administrators in “Effective
Communication Skills”. He has lectured onboard 23 cruises as a special interest
speaker. His lectures, laced with close-up magic, enthusiasm, energy and
a humorous style leaves audiences motivated and uplifted, resulting
in a renewed sense of self-confidence and self-esteem.
A Positive Mental Att tude
Laughing, loving and living with a positive mental
attitude has been my philosophy of life.
However, on November 10, 2006 I was
informed that I needed triple by-pass surgery.
Wow, what a shock!
What was my mindset and reaction?
I was prepared to deal with a lifealtering
event with the utmost positive
attitude, because I knew that it is not what
happens to us, but how we deal with it that
matters. Of course, a few of my commitments
had to be cancelled. A comedy magic performance
at the Hyatt Hamilton Assisted Living
Facility and an upcoming“Life Enrichment”
cruise ship lecture both needed to be
re-scheduled.
On November 14, triple by-pass surgery
was successfully performed by Dr. Richard
Brezing at the Florida Medical Center. How is
my recovery progressing? Just wonderful. A
few days after surgery, while still in ICU,
guess what? I was doing close-up magic for the
nurses and visitors. After ICU, close-up magic
74 JANUARY 2007
continued. On November 20, I was discharged
from the hospital just in time to
participate in an uplifting and totally
enjoyable Thanksgiving dinner at the
home of some friends.
I traveled to Boynton Beach on
November 27, just two weeks after
surgery, to Benvenuto’s Restaurant
for dinner and a show starring our
very dear friends singer and guitarist
Tony Nicolosi and comedian Jeff Laub. On
December 2, I was back to performing myself as
I appeared at the Veteran’s Nursing Home in Pembroke Pines.
My rapid recovery is unequivocally the result of having developed
a positive mental attitude. Conducting life with a positive mental attitude
will lead to a happier, healthier and more productive life. It’s
never too late. Age is not a factor. Pablo Casals at age 90 said “I think
I’m improving.” Ray Kroc founded McDonald’s at age 52. Grandma
Moses at age 100 began her painting career. And yours truly just celebrated
the 50th anniversary of my 33rd birthday by preparing for my
next lecture cruise. I’m just getting warmed up.
Some of the things I talk about in my motivational talks are about
depression. Yes, there are times when we are depressed. But we
don’t catch depression, we create depression. We do not catch happiness,
we create happiness. It is our choice. And what we think and
put into practice becomes habit.
Life is a journey; enjoy it! My journey has been incredible, fulfilling,
rewarding and gratifying. Reaching out to others so that they
can lead a satisfying and successful life.
To quote the winner of the World’s Best Speaker award at the
Toastmasters International Convention in San Diego recently “Life
is not a candle flickering in the breeze. It’s a torch, to light new
flames. The decision is yours, to light new flames.”