Choirs, Myths and Ambassadors...

When I was in the Choir in my junior high school, my best friend was Jason Paltrowitz. We had won a trip to go compete in some national championship, so all of us kids from new york city got on a bus and headed down to a town I won't name.

When we met the other kids there, we all introduced ourselves, and said where we were from.

When Jason said "My name is Jason Paltrowitz, and I'm from New York City!"

The kids from this town got all excited. We asked them why:

"Well, Jason.... are you JEWISH?" one kid asked excitedly.
"Yeah, I am" he said, figuring they knew from his last name.

They giggled, and asked quite innocently: "Can we see your horns?"
..........

I was totally aghast. I hadn't even heard that myth before, but I could tell from their faces that they truly and sincerely thought that Jews had horns on their heads.

Like the devil.

They didn't mean anything by it; that's just what they had heard.

I was about to start yelling and screaming and throwing punches, but I was frozen. This was my BEST FRIEND they were talking about.

But then I saw an amazing thing.

Jason just said "Oh, I don't have horns. Jews don't really have horns; that's just a crazy story."

"Oh,... ok" the kids said, disappointed that they weren't going to see a free freakshow.

After that, we all just went out and played "tag" together- and made sure not to yell and mess up our voices!

That day has stuck in my mind forever.

Why am I telling you this story? Well, two reasons:

1- You are in a business that most people don't understand. If they REALLY did, they'd be involved in SOME sort of Network Marketing company somewhere. I am in three myself, but Agel is the only one I build. I believe that in the future, network marketing companies will be as popular as franchises are today.

Our challenge is educating people correctly. Jason just kept his cool, and very calmly explained that crazy horn story. I recently had a guy tell me that he "Wouldn't want to 'DO Neywork Marketing' TO his friends" because network marketing was a scam and shameful (by the way, that same guy said he was willing to "Do it" to strangers). I obviously have no desire to sponsor him, but I did challenge him to get some REAL information on our industry. I should find out if he ever did, or if he just stayed in his ignorance.

2- You are in a business where people from all over the world come together to help each other, and work together despite their perceived differences. I remember at Agel World '07, one of the Leaders in Israel said that his mission with Agel was to bring Peace to the holy land. Wouldn't that be amazing? "Sorry, I know we've been fighting for eons, but we had better figure out how to stop because there's too much money invested here!"

Now THAT is a mission.

So, when you're out building your business, let's remember that what we're doing is EDUCATING people on our industry and our business, and that YOU are the ambassador.

That way, if someone asks to see your horns, maybe you can explain that you don't have any, and that in this business, you're just trying to:

Create Wealth
Have Fun
Help Others

I'm a LOSER- please help me.

Hey %$firstname$%,

Y'know- we tend to think we're better than people
who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I've
got some news for you:

Your body can be addicted to ANY chemical.

and FEELINGS are chemicals.

FEELINGS are chemical reactions in your body that
your brain spits out. For example, when you think of
something funny, your BODY reacts by laughing.

When you think of something SEXY, your body reacts-
(on us men, it's a little more obvious!)

So, if those are chemicals running around in our
body, and our body can be addicted to ANY chemical-

WE CAN BE ADDICTED TO FEELINGS.

And some of us are ADDICTED to FEELING like LOSERS.

We feel like losers so much, that even when we win,
we're so addicted to the loser feeling, that we find
a way to look at it so we feel like a loser. Or we
mess it up so we can get the FEELING of losing.

AMAZING isn't it?

Now here's the GOOD part-

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

Just like it's not an alcoholic's FAULT that they
are addicted to alcohol, it is a CHEMICAL reaction
in their body.

However-

They ARE responsible for it. That means, they can CHOOSE
to NOT drink. They can CHOOSE to not go to a bar; they
can CHOOSE a new life.

When Alcoholics first get sober, many get attached to,
and get addicted emotionally, to other things: smoking
sex, exercise, work, etc. But ultimately, they choose
something ELSE- that's what "RESPONSE-ABILITY" means:

the ability to CHOOSE your RESPONSE.

So- if you're addicted to being a LOSER, then you'll
do things like ask for information on how to make
money, but then not follow-up. You'll not return
a phone call, or you won't ever get started with
something.

That's what LOSERS do if they keep CHOOSING to be
addicted to their LOSING.

But you can make a DIFFERENT choice. You can choose to
QUIT LOSING by QUITTING doing what a loser does.

You can QUIT QUITTING!!

You can pick up the stupid phone, and call me, and
let me help you instead of being scared and lazy.

I myself am addicted to losing, so I have to
carefully choose NOT to do the loser things I want
to do.

Yesterday I messed up big time.

I did NOTHING productive, and the losing felt GREAT
because I had a pity party for myself. It was only
the second day of the year, and I had already quit
on all my "big plans" for the New Year.

I chose LOSING.

But then I went to a meeting, because I had to,
and got around a bunch of WINNERS.
I got around successful people, and since I wanted to
fit in, I ACTED like a winner- and guess what happened?

It felt even BETTER than losing!

Today I've been ON FIRE!!!

I went to the Gym, I've talked with my publicist, I've
written some new stuff (this email just flowed out),
and I've made a new plan for 2008.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that if you've already
broken your New Year's resolutions- you're not alone.

AND- that today, you can start AGAIN- you can start a NEW
RESOLUTION TODAY- RIGHT NOW.

You can CHOOSE to QUIT losing, and I'll be right there
next to you-

QUITTING!!!

Let Your Light So Shine Before Men,
Bones Rodriguez
917-450-7925

I'm a LOSER- please help me.

Hey %$firstname$%,

Y'know- we tend to think we're better than people
who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I've
got some news for you:

Your body can be addicted to ANY chemical.

and FEELINGS are chemicals.

FEELINGS are chemical reactions in your body that
your brain spits out. For example, when you think of
something funny, your BODY reacts by laughing.

When you think of something SEXY, your body reacts-
(on us men, it's a little more obvious!)

So, if those are chemicals running around in our
body, and our body can be addicted to ANY chemical-

WE CAN BE ADDICTED TO FEELINGS.

And some of us are ADDICTED to FEELING like LOSERS.

We feel like losers so much, that even when we win,
we're so addicted to the loser feeling, that we find
a way to look at it so we feel like a loser. Or we
mess it up so we can get the FEELING of losing.

AMAZING isn't it?

Now here's the GOOD part-

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

Just like it's not an alcoholic's FAULT that they
are addicted to alcohol, it is a CHEMICAL reaction
in their body.

However-

They ARE responsible for it. That means, they can CHOOSE
to NOT drink. They can CHOOSE to not go to a bar; they
can CHOOSE a new life.

When Alcoholics first get sober, many get attached to,
and get addicted emotionally, to other things: smoking
sex, exercise, work, etc. But ultimately, they choose
something ELSE- that's what "RESPONSE-ABILITY" means:

the ability to CHOOSE your RESPONSE.

So- if you're addicted to being a LOSER, then you'll
do things like ask for information on how to make
money, but then not follow-up. You'll not return
a phone call, or you won't ever get started with
something.

That's what LOSERS do if they keep CHOOSING to be
addicted to their LOSING.

But you can make a DIFFERENT choice. You can choose to
QUIT LOSING by QUITTING doing what a loser does.

You can QUIT QUITTING!!

You can pick up the stupid phone, and call me, and
let me help you instead of being scared and lazy.

I myself am addicted to losing, so I have to
carefully choose NOT to do the loser things I want
to do.

Yesterday I messed up big time.

I did NOTHING productive, and the losing felt GREAT
because I had a pity party for myself. It was only
the second day of the year, and I had already quit
on all my "big plans" for the New Year.

I chose LOSING.

But then I went to a meeting, because I had to,
and got around a bunch of WINNERS.
I got around successful people, and since I wanted to
fit in, I ACTED like a winner- and guess what happened?

It felt even BETTER than losing!

Today I've been ON FIRE!!!

I went to the Gym, I've talked with my publicist, I've
written some new stuff (this email just flowed out),
and I've made a new plan for 2008.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that if you've already
broken your New Year's resolutions- you're not alone.

AND- that today, you can start AGAIN- you can start a NEW
RESOLUTION TODAY- RIGHT NOW.

You can CHOOSE to QUIT losing, and I'll be right there
next to you-

QUITTING!!!

Let Your Light So Shine Before Men,
Bones Rodriguez
917-450-7925

I'm a LOSER- please help me.

Hey %$firstname$%,

Y'know- we tend to think we're better than people
who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I've
got some news for you:

Your body can be addicted to ANY chemical.

and FEELINGS are chemicals.

FEELINGS are chemical reactions in your body that
your brain spits out. For example, when you think of
something funny, your BODY reacts by laughing.

When you think of something SEXY, your body reacts-
(on us men, it's a little more obvious!)

So, if those are chemicals running around in our
body, and our body can be addicted to ANY chemical-

WE CAN BE ADDICTED TO FEELINGS.

And some of us are ADDICTED to FEELING like LOSERS.

We feel like losers so much, that even when we win,
we're so addicted to the loser feeling, that we find
a way to look at it so we feel like a loser. Or we
mess it up so we can get the FEELING of losing.

AMAZING isn't it?

Now here's the GOOD part-

IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT.

Just like it's not an alcoholic's FAULT that they
are addicted to alcohol, it is a CHEMICAL reaction
in their body.

However-

They ARE responsible for it. That means, they can CHOOSE
to NOT drink. They can CHOOSE to not go to a bar; they
can CHOOSE a new life.

When Alcoholics first get sober, many get attached to,
and get addicted emotionally, to other things: smoking
sex, exercise, work, etc. But ultimately, they choose
something ELSE- that's what "RESPONSE-ABILITY" means:

the ability to CHOOSE your RESPONSE.

So- if you're addicted to being a LOSER, then you'll
do things like ask for information on how to make
money, but then not follow-up. You'll not return
a phone call, or you won't ever get started with
something.

That's what LOSERS do if they keep CHOOSING to be
addicted to their LOSING.

But you can make a DIFFERENT choice. You can choose to
QUIT LOSING by QUITTING doing what a loser does.

You can QUIT QUITTING!!

You can pick up the stupid phone, and call me, and
let me help you instead of being scared and lazy.

I myself am addicted to losing, so I have to
carefully choose NOT to do the loser things I want
to do.

Yesterday I messed up big time.

I did NOTHING productive, and the losing felt GREAT
because I had a pity party for myself. It was only
the second day of the year, and I had already quit
on all my "big plans" for the New Year.

I chose LOSING.

But then I went to a meeting, because I had to,
and got around a bunch of WINNERS.
I got around successful people, and since I wanted to
fit in, I ACTED like a winner- and guess what happened?

It felt even BETTER than losing!

Today I've been ON FIRE!!!

I went to the Gym, I've talked with my publicist, I've
written some new stuff (this email just flowed out),
and I've made a new plan for 2008.

Anyway, I just wanted you to know that if you've already
broken your New Year's resolutions- you're not alone.

AND- that today, you can start AGAIN- you can start a NEW
RESOLUTION TODAY- RIGHT NOW.

You can CHOOSE to QUIT losing, and I'll be right there
next to you-

QUITTING!!!

Let Your Light So Shine Before Men,
Bones Rodriguez
917-450-7925

Warren Buffet teaches me a thing or two...

I watched a documentary on Warren Buffet today on CNBC, and although I learned a lot, there were two things that impressed the hell out of me:

1- He said "In business, you don't need to know what's coming, but you do have to know what's going"- So he was saying that you have to know when your industry, your habits, your attitudes, whatever- no longer serve you successfully. He was saying that furniture manufacturing was LEAVING the US, so he had the stuff from one of his companies go to China. However, now the Vietnamese have even LOWER labor cost, so now it's time to move there.

2- Again, referring to the furniture business he owns part of, here is the the 3rd wealthiest man in the world, and yet the furniture in his house comes from the LOW-PRICE furniture company he owns. ANYONE would understand if he had the finest, most expensive furniture n his home, but in order to show his support for his business, he has the furniture from it in his home. WOW.

Thanks Warren!

Warren Buffet teaches me a thing or two...

I watched a documentary on Warren Buffet today on CNBC, and although I learned a lot, there were two things that impressed the hell out of me:

1- He said "In business, you don't need to know what's coming, but you do have to know what's going"- So he was saying that you have to know when your industry, your habits, your attitudes, whatever- no longer serve you successfully. He was saying that furniture manufacturing was LEAVING the US, so he had the stuff from one of his companies go to China. However, now the Vietnamese have even LOWER labor cost, so now it's time to move there.

2- Again, referring to the furniture business he owns part of, here is the the 3rd wealthiest man in the world, and yet the furniture in his house comes from the LOW-PRICE furniture company he owns. ANYONE would understand if he had the finest, most expensive furniture n his home, but in order to show his support for his business, he has the furniture from it in his home. WOW.

Thanks Warren!

I started a movement yesterday...

I sent this email out yesterday:

To everyone, but especially to the rappers of the world,

I get it.

It rhymes with trigger, bigger, and "figger", as in "I 'figger' we'll go have lunch, Margaret"

I had heard it a few times when I was younger, and knew that it wasn't to be said, knew it wasn't to be heard, and certainly wasn't to be put to music.

So what happened?

I freely admit that not everyone feels the same way I do about "the N Word", and in the comedy world, in looking for a punch line, one might forget the murder,
dismemberment, rape, torture, attempted genocide, drownings, brandings, whippings, tear gassings, church bombings, baby manglings, animal attacks, mental, physical, emotional
and spiritual evils committed by people with "The N word" on their lips.

But for some reason I stopped laughing.
And stopped singing along.
And stopped allowing it in conversation around me.

2 weeks ago, I was on the train reading "Martin Luther King Jr. on Leadership" when some high school kids, middle school kids, and elementary school kids came on laughing and talking with each other. Girls flirting, boys trying to impress-

But all I could hear was that word.

Almost like it was the only thing they were saying.

I didn't do anything that day- but I am now.
Now I AM doing something.
And I'm asking for your help.

I had some buttons made that say: TooProudForTheNword.com

and would like the website and the buttons passed around.

Anyone know a publicist who wants a story? How about a leader in the Black Community? Anyone visible whom I can get a button (or 100) into their hand?
This is my partial list:


Oprah
Bill Cosby
Dennis Kimbro
Les Brown
Dennis Kimbro
Jesse Jackson
Al Sharpton
Will Smith
Barak Obama
Spike Lee
Dave Chapelle
Eddie Murphy
Al Roker
Russell Simmons
P. Diddy
Common
Magic Johnson


and the only two white guys: Quentin Tarantino and Stephen Colbert.

I am not looking for more names, I am looking for introductions, invitations, or direct contact info.

You may feel this "isn't your problem", and you may be right.
So what.

"All evil needs is for good people to do nothing"

http://www.TooProudForTheNword.com

Let Your Light So Shine Before Men,
Bones Rodriguez- 917-450-7925

"One mind awake can awaken another,
The second awake can awaken their next door brother.
Three awake can awaken the town
By turning the whole place upside down.
Many awake can make such a fuss
That they finally awaken the rest of us."- Helen Kromer