Yeah Dave

My Madoff Moment

admin2 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:01:15 +0000

Hi:

It goes without saying…Bernie Madoff is the most infamous white collar criminal of our time…having stolen $18 billion from investors.

Living as a yogi in a very different world, I never thought I’d have any sort of contact or personal experience with The Madoffs. It just seemed like another world to me.

And then…

This week I went to a networking group in New York City. As it goes with networking groups, everyone in the room gets 45 seconds to introduce themselves.

There were lawyers, a dentist, a diet coach, an acupuncturist…

…and then, a guy across from me stood up and said to the fifty plus people in attendance, “I’m Andrew Madoff” and went on to explain his business and the service provided.

I stared at him, so confused.

THE DEMISE

The son of Bernie Madoff, Andrew Madoff was recently the subject of a 60 Minutes story in which he wholeheartedly denied knowing anything about his father’s illegal activities.

If that is true, then here’s a guy unjustly incinerated in the fiery tail of a karmic meteor from hell.

Not to say you should feel badly for him, but it’s interesting to observe.

-Even just a few years ago, Andrew idolized his father, a mega-successful business man who is now considered among the dregs of the earth.

-In 2010, Andrew’s brother Mark Madoff committed suicide.

-And until recently, Andrew was estranged from his once beloved mother.

What could be worse to a once proud son than enduring his family’s complete and public demise?

THE COLD SHOULDER

Very few people, if anyone in the room, spoke with Andrew. I felt like it was 8th grade again and the unpopular kid was left to stew in his awkwardness.

I know some of you must be thinking that he deserves this fate.

But what if Andrew Madoff really didn’t know about his father’s wrongdoing?

And what if he truly is a innocent and shattered soul, struggling to find his way in life?

Does he deserve this treatment?

THE DANGEROUS HERD

We should all be very weary of what Nietzsche defined as HERD BEHAVIOR or HERD MORALITY….

…whereby Nietzsche perceived humans as herd animals, lacking any individual will and living by group instincts.

Of course the most famous and sad example of HERD BEHAVIOR is during World War 2 when millions and millions of innocent German citizens were herded into the Nazi party and the belief that it was “the right thing” to kill Jews, Soviets, Gypsies, and homosexuals in concentration camps.

IF YOU (OR I) WERE NAZIS…

If you were an Aryan German citizen during World War 2, just living your life and trying to do the best for your family…

…and you were told that ethnic cleansing was the official policy of your government at a time when your soldiers were dying on two fronts…

…there is a chance you, and I, like millions of “innocent” German citizens, might have simply accepted that this was necessary action.

As Hermann Goering, founder of the German Gestapo said, “Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

THE WHITE ROSE

There was in fact a group of 3 German students distributing leaflets during the time of the Nazis. (See pic to the right of White Rose leaders Hans Scholl, his sister Sophie Scholl, and Christoph Probst)

The leaflets were entitled “The White Rose” and contained an anonymous essay speaking out against the Nazi Party and inciting Germans to rise up and do the right thing.

All 3 students in the picture were rounded up and executed. Their story has been the subject of various books and movies.

RISE UP

In some way in each of our lives, we can spend more time away from the herd…

…and ask “how can we be the white rose?”

Whether it’s coming out in support of the dire needs of an overworked immigrant in your office building…

…or standing up to the excessive demands of email and how it’s eroding your quality of life…

or daring to befriend an embattled, and unpopular soul.

Life is really short and the herd will you carry you even faster toward the end of days.

What better time than right now to turn around and walk in another direction, sing a different song, be the white rose in the muddy river.

As @RevRunWisdom said (in the language of Twitter), “Don’t worry about ppl laughing at u becuz ur different, laugh at them becuz they’re the same.”

Namaste,

David Romanelli
www.livinthemoment.com

Protected: Livin the Moment 2012 (February’s Theme)

admin2 — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 12:24:05 +0000

Protected: Livin the Moment 2012 (Answer Outrageously) W4D1

admin2 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 11:01:17 +0000

BEAUTIFUL MOMENT: Pretty Princess

admin2 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:28:55 +0000

Who: Emily Gareis from Canal Fulton, OH
When and Where: 1/26/12 in Farmington, MI

What about this photo makes it special? “The photo is of my granddaughter Aubrey Jae Siddall…She loves to dress up – they live in Farmington Michigan – she is 28 months old. Is there anything else you’d like to add about what made this photo special for you? Besides being one of the cutest pictures ever and that she is my granddaughter I just thought it was such a moment of child innocence that I wish as adults we embraced better.”

How do you live in the moment? ”Life is way to short not too!”

To get The Moment of the Day and receive more beauty, laugher and deliciousness in your life, sign up below!

In Memory of a Warrior – Craig Barr 1969-2012

admin2 — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 03:20:08 +0000

A few months ago I shared an email asking: what you would say if you could go back in time and spend a moment with your 5 year old self?

For many, the message was: life is short. Don’t worry so much it. Enjoy it!

Last week I was reminded oh so clearly of that message.

I received a call from my friend Marla in Las Vegas: her beloved partner and friend Craig Barr passed away at the age of 42. (See pic to the right of Craig on the right and Marla in the middle at a yoga retreat in Mexico in 2010).

Speaking in spiritual terms because Craig was such a deep dude, I always thought of his journey as unique…

…because if you share the belief that souls pick their “clothes” (i.e. their body) before being born on earth, Craig picked a crazy outfit.

Here was an old, wise soul…the type that usually picks the lean body of a yogi (like Gandhi) or the stocky figure of an Indian guru (like Patthabi Jois)…

But no. Craig chose the large, muscular body of a warrior.

THE PRO ATHLETE

Craig was in fact a pro football player having starred for the Arena Football League’s Arizona Rattlers in the 90′s.

He was so popular with the fans that he even had a nickname THE MIGHTY THOR. T-shirts were sold in the arena with Craig’s image. He was DA MAN.

But he couldn’t deceive you for long. The second you heard his voice, you heard the voice of a wise, old soul in a giant body.

THE YOGI

I remember meeting Craig for the first time back in 2002. Craig got hooked on yoga and spent hours in and around the studio at which I taught.

In addition to attending countless classes, Craig went on retreats, showed up to workshops, even worked at the yoga studio for a while.

Craig told anyone he could about yoga, and how it worked wonders on the mind and body.

He became a powerful messenger because people listened to a giant, retired professional athlete telling you how Urdvha Mukha Svansasana could heal your back and Trikonasana could soothe your soul.

THE LAST HANG

The last time I saw Craig was when he and Marla came on my yoga retreat to Mexico in 2010.

Everyone on the trip, like anyone who enjoyed the sweet luxury of a moment with Craig in his 42 years of life, felt soothed by his presence, humor, and wacky insights.

The thing I’ll remember most about him: He always and I mean ALWAYS had that look like he just sat up from the most intense, awesome, deep savasana ever.

Y’know that feeling? Like you had a crazy, blissful dream about God, Moses, Bob Marley, and Ryan Seacrest smoking reefer around a fire pit at the Tropicana…

…while you’re being tickled by a supermodel as Jesus whispers the secrets of the universe in your ear.

Craig always had that look, a look as if to say, “Duuuuuuuuuuuude, life is short. Don’t worry so much. Enjoy yourself. And oh yeah, have you seen my keys?”

If you were pitching Craig for a movie…it’d be Spiccoli meets Gandhi meets Hulk Hogan…if you can imagine that. A true character. Wise, loving, sweet, hilarious, and…AWESOME.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Craig passed away last week of what is presumed to be an aneurism.

As it goes when someone passes on at a very young age, we try our best to wrap our heads around the notion that when it’s time…it’s time. We don’t live forever. You might have 50 more years or 50 more seconds.

So don’t get stuck holding on to that which you holds you down. The negative emotions, the fears, the worries, the old crap from the past.

For me, the legacy of this warrior, Craig Barr, is the truest and rarest definition of strength: “Some people thinking holding on is what makes one strong. Sometimes it’s letting go.”

Namaste,

David Romanelli
www.livinthemoment.com

FUNNY MOMENT: Bad Job

admin2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 03:04:10 +0000

Funny Moment of the Day

If you’re interested in taking the BFD (beautiful, funny, delicious) experience to a whole new level, my Livin the Moment 2012 Program is now open for registration. Visit here

Spread the love! Send your Beautiful, Funny and Delicious Moments to kate@yeahdave.com, and they will be featured on www.beautifulfunnydelicious.com

To receive more beauty, laughter and deliciousness in your life, drop your email below:

FUNNY MOMENT: Sleeping With Dogs

admin2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:56:33 +0000

Funny Moment of the Day

If you’re interested in taking the BFD (beautiful, funny, delicious) experience to a whole new level, my Livin the Moment 2012 Program is now open for registration. Visit here

Spread the love! Send your Beautiful, Funny and Delicious Moments to kate@yeahdave.com, and they will be featured on www.beautifulfunnydelicious.com

To receive more beauty, laughter and deliciousness in your life, drop your email below:

BEAUTIFUL MOMENT: Monsters

admin2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:48:03 +0000

Beautiful Moment of the Day

For anyone, and that includes me, who blames others for their issues….

If you’re interested in taking the BFD (beautiful, funny, delicious) experience to a whole new level, my Livin the Moment 2012 Program is now open for registration. Visit here

Spread the love! Send your Beautiful, Funny and Delicious Moments to kate@yeahdave.com, and they will be featured on www.beautifulfunnydelicious.com

To receive more beauty, laughter and deliciousness in your life, drop your email below:

FUNNY MOMENT: Snotty Dog

admin2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:39:03 +0000

Funny Moment of the Day

If you’re interested in taking the BFD (beautiful, funny, delicious) experience to a whole new level, my Livin the Moment 2012 Program is now open for registration. Visit here

Spread the love! Send your Beautiful, Funny and Delicious Moments to kate@yeahdave.com, and they will be featured on www.beautifulfunnydelicious.com

To receive more beauty, laughter and deliciousness in your life, drop your email below:

DELICIOUS MOMENT: Yummy Cake

admin2 — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 02:30:28 +0000

Delicious Moment of the Day

If you’re interested in taking the BFD (beautiful, funny, delicious) experience to a whole new level, my Livin the Moment 2012 Program is now open for registration. Visit here

Spread the love! Send your Beautiful, Funny and Delicious Moments to kate@yeahdave.com, and they will be featured on www.beautifulfunnydelicious.com

To receive more beauty, laughter and deliciousness in your life, drop your email below: