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Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

ENJOY THE MOMENT

Sometimes in life we work towards a goal . Nothing else’s matters to make that goal a reality .

But what I find is that people forget to actually enjoy the moment .

So all I ask of you today is don’t forget to ‘enjoy the moment’

I said it to Ali regarding her book launch . All the hours of hard work and graft . To simply take in the moment & smile .

I’m in rehearsals with my third play ‘The Unsung Hero’ I’ve researched this for two years and now it’s a reality . But a friend reminded me to enjoy everyday of this process . That’s what I worked for & I forgot about my own enjoyment .

So now I’m having a coffee before rehearsals start and I’m watching the world go by & smiling to myself .

No matter what the end goal is , don’t ever forget to enjoy the moment because I nearly did.

Happy Wednesday Peeps

March 9, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

ALWAYS GO WITH YOUR GUT

I had business meeting last week and the person in question felt that life ‘owed them something’ a vile rant of negativity and bitterness. I excused myself from the meeting as I couldn’t be present any longer in such bitterness and venom. How could anyone work with this person or company is beyond me.
But then my integrity was brought into question as I didn’t want to surround myself with people like that. They thought I wouldn’t turn down a deal for minimum effort and a good pay day.
But a life lesson I learned many years ago if you can avoid working with DICKS or NEGATIVE NEDS on a project if you can survive financially without the gig. Then run a mile. The negative energy working against yourself with people who just pour out venom.
So I knew they wouldn’t take my rejection lightly so then it turned into a personal attack on me. I smiled back and just laughed. You see in life certain people can only hide behind their masks before you see the real character unfold before you.
So just think you are halfway through a project and then you are kicked down by people like this. Who you thought had your back but yet they just hid behind their masks.
Wow that got a bit dark but you have to speak the truth. Always go with your gut. Believe in you.
Now all about the blank page.
I had a massive fight with Ali last summer. I was shouting on the phone, telling her if she didn’t write a paragraph on a book that we all knew she had it in her, I wouldn’t speak to her.
I hated doing it but it had to be done. We didn’t speak for a short period of time. Then my phone rang, with an apology and she started to write something every day during the course of 5 days.
Now her book ‘Minding Mum’ has its launch next week in Dublin. I’m so proud of you Ali.
To all the Mothers out there, to all the single mothers and single fathers in the world. I salute you.
Buy ‘Minding Mum’.
But that is Lightning Positivity right there, a blank page, a push in the right direction and when you start to believe in you. Anything is possible.
Happy Tuesday Peeps.
Shine On .

February 25, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

A SKY FULL OF STARS

A deal of the century was on the cards, too good to be true but my agents were confident. I was assured. My mind raced with wonderment and adventure. A financial deal that would look after me for the next two years.

But if the money ain’t in your bank account, the gig is not real. Late phone call we hit a stumbling block with contracts and legalities.

But I’ve been here before and I learnt from the past. So I was gutted but the deal wasn’t a banker for me.

Devastated over dinner, not hungry, still on my new healthy buzz but I stick with it. I pardon my company from the table. It’s late and there was a slight drizzle of rain in the air.

I got dressed into my walking/running gear and I put in my ear phones and I started to run in the rain. Looked up to the stars and started to dream.

The rain was beating off my face but I felt alive. It wasn’t meant to be. Every step I took it left a negative print behind me.

These things happen in life but its how we deal with these situations and use tools or mechanisms to get over the hump.

Walking at night does it for me. Just showing you my readers we all get kicked in the stomach and that has many shapes and forms.

But we can break through those barriers and learn and grow towards the future with a mind more focused than ever before.

Training our minds towards the positive isn’t easy but it’s about repetition.

Today was the first reading of my new play ‘The Unsung Hero’ this journey has taken years to reach this point. I feel alive again.

Starting with a blank page and your mind, anything is possible.

February 16, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

SMILE

Sometimes in life we forget to smile, smile at all the misfortunes, heartache or smile in our success. So do me a favour and just smile right now. Not that awful fake smile for those uncomfortable photos we don’t want to be in but smile like you just can’t stop laughing.

So I’ve lasted two weeks on this fitness & food journey. I’m laughing right now. I’m snacking on almonds and I had asparagus for the first time. I do love no sugar in my teas and coffees now and I’ve cut out my beloved bread.

I just want to state on record how proud I am of anyone who has tried a small change in their life for the better. We all fail throughout different journeys. But when you tried your best and don’t succeed, you know what, you made a difference, a rewiring of thoughts. For that I salute you. You will succeed; just learn from your failures.

My auld buddy the professional footballer, said it best, reward yourself with the bad stuff because what’s the point in not enjoying food.

I was a sugar cereal man, topped with sugar and more sugar, and then wait for it, more sugar in my coffee. Now I’m buzzing off natural yogurt and blueberries. Well for the moment anyway. That’s my journey after two weeks.

Now my play ‘The Unsung Hero’ has its world premiere on March 21^st at the Theatre Upstairs then a nationwide tour. You’ve witnessed this journey. It all started with a vision, that I would write a play that will tour the globe. I was laughed at, rejected, but now, I can’t stop smiling. Lights will guide you home as they say. Right now I’m living Lightning Positivity.

If I can’t give you examples from my own success or failures there is no point in me writing this? My play has been in development for two years and now I’m at the starting line of a marathon, done all the prep, late nights, aching body, sore feet, now I’m smiling getting my groove for the race that is my play, my thoughts to be staged for the world to see & hear.

Now we all have that potential inside us, now I’m not high on sugar as I have my almonds and my water. But I’ll be treating myself to a nice auld pint of stout mid-week but right now I’m just so happy. Why write this article each week?

Well, I hope that one day you’ll have a day of extreme satisfaction from visualising a goal from a blank page when everybody rejected your idea or business plan.

Small steps, big dreams and don’t forget that smile.

Pain and suffering but worth it all in the end.

You all have the potential. Get that blank page and let your imagination run wild.

I believe in you.

Just stop making excuses.

Write me four lines that’s all I want. Just four lines of a vision or a change you want to make.

Shine On

February 9, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

NO POTATOES, BREAD OR SUGAR FOR ME

NO POTATOES, BREAD OR SUGAR FOR ME – BOO HOO

Howaya, don’t worry I’m not one of those fitness fanatics. But one of my friends is getting married in March. He wants to shift some weight for the big day. One of the grooms men is a professional footballer so he’s done up a two month plan of attack to get us in shape for the big day.

So I decided to join in for the craic, that means no bread, sugar in my tea or coffee and NO potatoes. I’m a meat & potato kinda guy. So let’s see if I can still be positive over the next few weeks till I get my potato.

But in life a positive shock to the system in always a good thing. Sometimes we can fall into a pattern of a safety net, which is cool but sometimes we have to get out of our comfort zone.

I’m trying to rewire my own programming with a new mind-set to stay focused on my own journey. Reminding myself in the morning that I am talented, that I can achieve the goals I’ve set out and I congratulate myself every day. I’ve noticed a difference and I can personally feel the change in me.

I’m more focused than I have ever been. Try it out; you’ve got nothing to lose unless you are saying it to yourself in the car while stuck in traffic and both cars either side of you are thinking who is this crazy coconut.

Ah don’t mind people who slag off your Positive attitude, or what books you read. I’ve had enough negative Neds tell me so. And you know what? I don’t care and I never will if people get me or don’t. My life, my choices, my belief. I believe in the power of Lightning Positivity.

Now I just hope I don’t dream of sugar and my beloved potatoes this week as I have to wait two weeks before I can bite one.

Happy Friday Peeps

Shine On

January 29, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

HOLD ON – PAIN ENDS – A NEW CHAPTER AWAITS

So I’ve known pain, the type of pain suffered from a lightning bolt ripping through my body and burning me from the inside out with the extreme heat. Ouch! But now I wear my scars with pride. But I saved money, spiking my hair without gel.

But I thought I knew pain till I suffered a loss in my life that devastated me. This pain came from my heart and I was an empty vessel, a shadow of myself. I vowed I’d never write again.

But one night on a rooftop over-looking London, South Bank & the London Eye inspiration hit me. I wrote for three days straight in a manic state.

That became my second play “My Bedsit Window” and it became my most critically acclaimed play. Toured internationally, translated and five star reviews. Before then I had reached the lowest point in my life. Very hard to see the light, but I never gave up as pain ends.

Now I write every day, for me, it fills my heart with joy and my imagination runs wild with excitement. But I’m not talking about a career. For the rest of my life I’ll write a play once a year for me and nobody else.

This process makes me feel alive and I was going to walk away from the pen and paper forever. Now always remember in life to hold on because the pain will end and the most incredible chapter in your life awaits you with open arms. Colours & warmth that enrich the soul.

Now my next play “The Unsung Hero” opens March 21^st – April 2^nd at the Theatre Upstairs and then afterwards goes on a nationwide tour.

Why tell me all this? I told people this would happen; I’m going to write this play, it will tour Ireland and the world. I repeated it to myself over and over. Telling the world or anyone who would listen. Some people laughed, thought it would never happen.

Then it was announced last Friday. But then I got phone calls from people who I haven’t heard from since my last play. The usual but this time I embraced each phone call. Now people want to take my play to London, America, Japan, Rome, Argentina, France, Mexico and I just smiled to myself, sure we are still fundraising for the Irish run of this production.

But at that moment, my visualisation became a reality, that global pull for my play, I knew would always happen.

But remember before all this I was never going to write again. That happiness cut off from my life. All the people I’ve met and loved along this journey have lifted my soul.

So “Lightning Positivity” isn’t just a phrase I coined but something I live my life by.

People in this world will try and cut out your soul and happiness. Of course you will have those dark days and heartache but a light will take you to new heights that you’ve only imagined.

Make you happy and make your dreams come true. If anything I just want you to pick up this positive energy and apply it to your own life.

Harness that incredible strength that lives in your heart. One day you’ll be flying so high all this will be a faded memory of a dark blip on the radar.

Close your eyes and follow the light even in the darkest of moments.

Wishing you all the success on this journey we call life.

Don’t just read “Lightning Positivity” live it, embrace it, dream it, visualise it, own it, laugh at it.

Your journey starts today and you have that control, nobody else but you. Close your eyes and just dream do whatever makes you smile.

Happy Howaya Tuesday

Love & Peace

January 12, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation

WRITE YOURSELF A LETTER

So as a playwright I’ve reached the point of living, breathing, every waking minute of my two characters Michael Joseph O’Rahilly (The O’Rahilly) & his wife Nannie Brown for my next play “The Unsung Hero”.

I’m in “the zone” as some people may say. I can visualise every scene, throughout the play. I know their gestures and mannerisms. As a writer each character will tap into your soul for that moment in time when you are writing a new play. Now sometimes nothing happens but right now I’m connected.

So I have every love letter my two characters wrote to each other from 1893 – 1916 till the day he died off Moore Street. Now there is something beautiful in reading and receiving a letter.

So my readers ; my goal for you is to write yourself a letter , telling me something positive about your beautiful self and a small goal you will achieve and send it to yourself. Now don’t be cheap ya hear me. Buy a stamp and send it to your address. When you receive that letter it will give you a beautiful lift. Trust me on this, all about the Lightning Positivity.

What’s he talking about now? So I decided to wake up every morning, say something positive about myself, something I what to achieve, a moment for prayer or reflection. Now at some point throughout the 24hrs in a day. A few minutes of shadow boxing for my fitness and meditation. I know, that’s right meditation and I’ve noticed a difference.

In my own personal life I feel like I’ve found the person who maybe I lost for a period of time, people reflect that when they see me. I’m smiling again because I can’t stop. Now before some smart arse says something of course I’ve been hurt or had a job crushed or chasing an invoice but I don’t let that hinder my own head space and positive vibes. Now enough of all that hippie dippy talk says you. But the blood sucking vampires are just bouncing off me and I love it. All about control and harnessing that natural energy.

So last week I talked about my own goals and what I wanted when I was asked by my mother over coffee for 2016. Now I know and I’ll share them to the universe. I hadn’t a clue but now I know.

To finish writing my children’s book “Johnny Lightning”.
Write & develop two new plays.
To hold a free workshop on motivation & positivity.
Small cameo in a feature film.
To write one new screenplay.
Purchase my first DSLR camera.
Travel to new destinations.
To really enjoy the time I have on this plant with my loved ones, family & friends. Not to forget that message.
Write letters & postcards throughout the year.
Here for family who need a helping hand at the darkest hour.
To do the odd martial arts class throughout the year between my friends martial arts schools throughout the country.
Take Irish Lessons.

That’s my list. That’s my goals. It’s out in the world.

Now write that letter for you and only you. Buy a stamp you cheap arse. Tell a friend about this exercise.

Oh remember the article I wrote on my friend Glenn Gannon and his book “Miracle Man- Homeless to Hollywood” well last week Humans of Dublin & Buzz feed picked up his story. He broke the Internet and it couldn’t happen to a nicer fella. Shine on GG. You’ve gone global.

Shine On Readers.

January 5, 2016/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

THE YEAR OF THE BANTER

Hope all my readers are having a very festive Christmas! I always love this time of year and season.

Now I recently went to town with my Mother for lunch on Christmas Eve. Walking the streets of Dublin brought her back fond memories when she would meet my Father in The Westbury Hotel for midweek dates.

She asked me a question that I couldn’t answer. Out of all my various career paths, what would I wish for to happen to me in 2016? What would I love to happen?

I didn’t know! That question has sat with me since Christmas Eve. I knew I’d be writing this article today and still the answer hasn’t come to me yet.

First things first, I have a draft 1 deadline for a new play by January 15th with my dramaturg (a dramaturg is a professional position within a theatre or opera company that deals mainly with research and development of plays or operas.)

But I’m going to take out my cork board and plan my goals and wishes and what I want because right now, I don’t know. Am I fazed? Nope I’m actually quite happy. So all I can say is right now all I want is to have the banter and laugh, smile throughout 2016. But for now I’m just thinking, reflecting on the year ahead.

But next week I’ll share my goals and wish list when the light will shine and the penny will drop.

Now don’t forget there will be people around your circle in life who will tell you different, that you can’t achieve this or wish for that or plan this goal.

Always remember those “Coffee & kicks” I always talk about and the negative Ned’s who suck the life & energy out of you.

I was told I’d never make it as a professional actor, box ticked. Ah you’ll never make it as an actor in the west end, box ticked. Ah you want to make plays leave that to the professionals, box ticked.

Be butchered in the reviews, nope 5 Star Reviews. Ah he’s only an Irishplaywright, your work won’t travel, London, America, box ticked. Who’d produce or translate your work, box ticked, translated in three languages and produced in three different countries. Ah he only had one play in him; anyone can do that, one trick pony, “My Bedsit Window” my most successful play to date. Ah sure he won’t get commissioned, box ticked. This joker wants to be a screenwriter, joker, box ticked. This joker wants to sell films scripts, Walter Mitty, box ticked.

What’s the pattern? Have you noticed I’ve had people put me down, laugh at me, stab in the front and the back? Every hurdle I jump, every road block, I smash on through. Every achievement, belittled.

But I let the anger go, I focused on my positive, my career goals for me and only for me. I want you to know before you start your journey for today and throughout 2016 there will always be one plonker Rodney, but don’t waste any time on them. Smile & laugh for you and only you.

Lightning Positivity helps me push on through. Can we be positive 24/7 not at all? I always say embrace those horrible, murky grey duvet days and admit that ya know what? Today was awful but tomorrow will be beautiful.

I just want you to push on through. I love people, helping people but I don’t know what I want for 2016 but all I know is that I hope its The Year of the Banter for all of my readers.

I’ll always be open & honest with you guys.

I stated that from my first article.

Don’t let negative Ned’s decide your future.

Being struck by lightning thought me the most valuable life lesson, the GIFT of being alive for another day.

Shine On

December 29, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

THE BEST GIFTS ARE ALWAYS FREE

This Christmas all I ask of my readers is to reach out to friends or family who will be lonely. It costs nothing and can be the most rewarding gift of all.

I worked in the meals & wheels and I’ve seen how the elderly can be left on their own. I was their only point of contact. Made it my business to have the chat with them all and it was the best gift I could ever give and I’m still left with fond memories.

Now don’t get me wrong some of them would test your bloody patience. We all have the Bahumbug friend who hates you & Christmas but don’t give up on them and offer them a hand or just let them rant to someone. Your good deed for the festive holiday.

So before Christmas day find an hour for you. Grab a hot or cold drink and think about visualising your goals for January. We talk about it, think about it but do we actually commit fully to visualising in such detail we believe in the picture we’ve created.

Think about one great moment this year, one achievement, one happy memory that’s three great feelings in one year. Let’s not think or dwell on the negatives and the dark days. Let those happy memories take over your body for now. Fill you with joy of something you achieved.

My own goal is about visualisation and all of us achieving small goals together in whatever career path or life journey.

I just feel something magical right now. There’s something within the energy in the air right now. I want you to tap into that (Ah no he’s talking crazy right now, what’s he on now!!). But there really is a positive energy in the air right now.

Love to all my readers on living another year. That’s another achievement.

Don’t let anyone put you down, laugh at your visons and goals. I believe in you.

Simple exercise, certain people can drain your energy. So I imagine a block of white energy passing through my body with warm colours of blue to protect me. Always helps me visualising colours and forces of energy.

Now you may think this is a lot of hot air and you could be right but it works for me.

Merry Christmas to all of my readers.

Pain will always end, so hold on.

Love always

Shine On

December 22, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison

Be Love, Inspiration / Motivation, Newsletter

BELIEVE IN YOU

I love when I’m on tour throughout Ireland. Seeing different counties in this beautiful country we call home. Each theatre has its own character and soul. Meeting new & old faces. It’s something I’ve always loved as a jobbing actor over the years. I can tell you a few stories that will surely give you a giggle. One time in Cork staying in a B&B the owner came straight into my room while I was having a shower. Singing away to my hearts content she knocked on the bathroom door and proceeded to enter and ask what I would like for breakfast in the morning (Here’s me thinking it was the Princess from the show not an 80yr old woman).

Now some of you might have not heard of an Irish man called Conor McGregor. Some of you might love him and others despise him. I’m personally a fan. I trained in martial arts for 8 years under Master John Darcy (A.I.M.A.A) and Grandmaster Heel Il Cho becoming a National Champion and finishing 3rd in the World Championships. My friend Shane McQuillan’s (World Hapkido Association & Komplete Martial Arts) father Eugene McQuillan brought me to my first class and I fell love with the sport and his passion for martial arts. It thought me Modesty, Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control & Indomitable spirit.

I retired from the sport and watching & attending all competitions, reading books, videos on the sport until April 2013 when I saw a video of an Irish man called Conor McGregor and it was the press conference after his debut fight in an organisation called the UFC. He had such confidence, an unbelievable mindset and focus that he would be a champion and one of the best martial artists on the planet in the UFC.

December 2015 and people are comparing him to the greatest boxer Muhammad Ali due to his sharp tongue, promoting a fight, catch phrases, his way with words and most of all undeniable talent .

In 13 seconds he knocked out his opponent Jose Aldo a champion who was undefeated in the sport for over ten years and regarded as the best pound for pound fighter on the planet.

Lightning Positivity is about the positive outlook we can all have in life. Believing in our own talents, visualising that goal, believing in that goal, believing in ourselves and saying it out loud in the mirror till we believe it.

Conor McGregor earned over $7.5 million over the weekend and about three years ago he was on the dole following a dream that he believed he would fulfil.

But like all goals they start with you. A pen & paper and the ability of learning the skill that is self confidence.

So how ever ridiculous your goal is or sounds. Believe in you. Believe in the goal. I know you have the talent and determination to achieve anything. But you have to start. Conor McGregor’s career didn’t start in Vegas last weekend in a 13 second fight where he became the unified featherweight world champion.

To me that is an unbelievable mindset. We can all be guilty of falling off the tracks with our own goals, dreams and determination.

But look at Conor McGregor. Anything is possible once you stay focused and committed. Make the smallest of changes today. Now write down that goal. But more important, say it out loud. Believe in it. Own it. Embrace it.

Lightning Positivity

You either love or hate Christmas and I love it. So can I ask my readers two questions.

What’s your favourite Christmas song?

What’s your favourite Christmas film?

Please insert in the comment box. Thanks a Thousand.

Shine On

DG x

December 15, 2015/0 Comments/by Alison