Gratitude ... or Attitude?

As 2011 draws to a close, I enjoy reflecting on the year that was. I do it every year.  I am nostalgic that way.  And for the most part, what I find I come up with is gratitude.  There are so many distractions in the world. With "Reality" TV, hateful idiots on The Internet, phones that can do almost anything (but break all of the time) - and Twitter, Facebook and other social media, I think that it is so easy to lose sight of oneself and what is truly important.

By the way, should I close my MySpace account?  Do we think it will be making a comeback anytime soon?

Anyhow, as I say "goodbye, bitch" to 2011 and the year that was, there are so many things for which I am grateful:

[]  I am so grateful to get to to do what I love.  I Live My Passion. There was a time I did not.  I was working as a Temp, in dead-end job after dead-end job. That all changed one day, when someone at my work assignment referred to me as "Temp 4" - as in "Good morning, Temp 4" or "This will be where you'll be sitting, Temp 4."  It was too Star Trek for me.  I decided on that day that I would stop the madness and follow my passion.  I knew what that was.  I just had to do it.  I had been avoiding it.  It was a process, but I am so glad I took that leap of faith and followed my passion, because I know there are literally millions of people who never do. They work at a job that they hate because it pays well.  They work with people that they can't stand because they have medical insurance.  But they are miserable.  And it eats away at them, a little bit each day.  I wanted out, and I got out.

[]  I am so grateful to have family & friends that support me.  Mama Ragú is always there, right by my side.  One thing that Papa Ragú taught me was that when it comes down to it, you'll be able to count your real friends on one hand.  And naturally, he was so right.  I didn't understand it at the time, because at the time, I had 500 people that I thought were my friends.  But now, if I look closely, I literally can count the real ones on one hand.  By the way, I miss you so much, Papa Ragú.  Not a day goes by when I don't think of you.  I really wish you could see me now.

[]  I am so thankful to be of a clean & sober mind.  I know that I would not be able to do what I do if I were still drinking and acting crazy.  I would never be able to get on that stage and remember my act.  I know it.  Hey, I barely remember it now!  I know I would never be able to keep it together if something went wrong or if some irritating person tried to get under my skin. But now, I can enjoy what I do and I get to appreciate the rewards and recognize the lessons.  And most of all:  I remember it!

[]  A few years ago, my friend and fellow comedian & talk-show host Maureen Langan suggested for me to "remove the negative people in your life" ... It was great advice, recounted by someone who had been there and done that.  I actually wrote it down and made it a mantra.  I feel badly that it took me a couple of years to finally put it into practice.  I really wanted to do it, but I work in the comedy business.  If I completely removed every negative person in my life, I'd be performing comedy for my dog, the adorable Pete Ragú.   

My adorable little friend Pete Ragú

OK.  That was just an excuse to post a picture of Pete on my blog. He has his own Facebook page.  Very sophisticated.  

Shameless plug:

Recently, Will Clark (producer, event planner - and host of the tremendously popular The Will Clark Show) interviewed me about my New Year Resolutions for his Will Clark World blog column. I notoriously dislike New Year Resolutions because I do not think that I need a special time of the year to effectuate change.  I gladly did the interview - and I tried my best to be funny.

Check it out here.

with Will Clark at "The Will Clark Show" at
PIECES - January 2011

Happy New Year!

Don't worry.  It will be Awkward!


Tom