Archive for the ‘Inspirational’ Category
The True Meaning of Christmas
So the other day, I heard one more talking-head television commentator announce that Christmas isn’t like it used to be, that the economy is still tough, and that everyone is cutting back, trying to do more with much less. Gee, I said, thanks for pointing that out, because without your clarification, parents across America wouldn’t have noticed.
On reflection, what I really thought was, “Wait a minute. We don’t want to pronounce the Christmas holiday DOA or even seriously wounded because we have less to spend this year. Have we forgotten that this is the time of year when less is supposed to be more?” (more…)
It's Time for Kids in America to Rock Out!
My ears are still ringing from the jam session we had in the studio for last Thursday’s show. You would think I’d be used to it by now, after raising our very own rocker dude, our youngest son, Jordan. He can wail now, but boy, oh boy, those early years were rough! Ha! Jordan, I kid. I kid! (Sort of.)
I had such a great time with our amazing musical guests to kick off The Dr. Phil Foundation’s new music program called “Little Kids Rock Across America“, and man, they ROCKED. I’ve always said that parents need to encourage their children’s passions, and for some, that passion is music.
Not every kid is just a good student or athlete. For some, it’s music that can be a great way to enhance his or her self-esteem and help keep them out of trouble — “idle hands are the devil’s workshop” and all that. I really believe that when some children get to a certain age, they really want to feel like they belong to something, or at least have an identity that distinguishes them from being just a face in the crowd. (more…)
The Scars of Battle
Many of you remember Gary Sinise’s outstanding portrayal of Lt. Dan in the Oscar-winning film Forrest Gump, and you now see him weekly on the hit show CSI: New York. But I know him as an extremely generous person with a heart for helping Iraqi children. I had the privilege of serving as emcee for the Iraq Star Foundation’s “A Night of Honour,” which provides reconstructive surgery to wounded veterans, and Gary was the special guest of honor. Please enjoy his guest blog entry.
Gary Sinise
This is our country and the freedom that we all share as Americans has been earned, and paid for and sacrificed for over the years by a courageous few. The majority of Americans sleep soundly in the comfort of their homes at night, while a very very small percentage stand watch in dangerous environments around the globe, making sure that we all can continue to enjoy the liberty and freedom we have grown so accustomed to as Americans.
Unfortunately, we take this liberty for granted. But just look back at our history and you will remember that this freedom comes at a terrible cost. And today, unless you are personally connected to someone serving in our military, a son a daughter, a father a mother, a friend or relative, you may not know just how expensive and costly it is to keep that liberty. Life goes on here at home. But in Iraq and Afghanistan our sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, and their families enduring many sleepless nights here at home, feel the sacrifices being made every single day and they are paying a price. Whether they are on the front pages of our newspapers or the lead story on the nightly news or not, they still continue to do dangerous work in dangerous places and they do so voluntarily. (more…)
Body Image vs. Self-Image
The following post is by a good friend of mine, and someone who knows a thing or two about living healthy, fitness trainer Robert Reames. Robert is a nutritionist, personal and group fitness trainer, motivational speaker and author of the book “Make Over Your Metabolism.” He is also the creator of the “Robert Reames Lifestyle Transformation System” DVD and Web series. You may recognize him from his many appearances on the show, including the “Ultimate Weight Loss Solution” series. Robert helps both Robin and me stay healthy and in shape, I know he can do the same for you!
If you’ve ever looked at celebrities and thought to yourself: “Does she really look like that?” “Is he that perfect?” The answer to these and other questions like this is — highly doubtful! I think it started back as early as the 1950s and the glamour days in Hollywood. The the way stars look seems to set the tone and the quest for the flawless body. Sometimes, even when a healthy weight is achieved, there are still parts of our bodies, that in our thoughts, don’t quite meet a level of beauty that the media and the fitness industry somehow convinced us that we need to reach. As technology continues to develop, so has the ability to enhance looks of perfection. Airbrushing, great lighting, make-up, photo shopping, plastic surgery, extreme dieting prior to a movie, TV or photo shoot, and other techniques are all used to create these illusions. This is the “glamour machine” in action. (more…)
Alex's Story
Robin and I started The Dr. Phil Foundation because we wanted to help disadvantaged children and others who are less fortunate, yet still want to pursue what has come to be known around the globe as “the American dream.” When we heard Alex’s story on our son Jay’s show, The Doctors, we were so moved by her struggles that we wanted to try and help this young woman achieve her goals despite her difficult circumstances.
Alex, 27, was a dancer when she was stricken with dystonia two years ago. Dystonia is a debilitating neurological movement disorder which causes her muscles to constantly involuntarily contract, keeping her from participating in many activities we take for granted and robbing her of so much quality of life. Recently, with the help of Montel Williams, Alex was evaluated at Massachusetts General Hospital. When she appeared on The Doctors, they revealed that she is a candidate for a very specialized brain surgery, deep-brain stimulation, that may very well be able to cure her condition! But — and isn’t there always that darn “but” — it is very expensive, and she will not be able to have the surgery without financial help. Robin and I are going to help out, and you may be moved to do the same.
I encourage you to check out her emotional story, and if you feel inspired to help this young woman be an active participant in her life, please share whatever you can. But for the grace of God go I.
