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The Prospering Power of Thanksgiving Is More Than American

11/25/2015

When my elementary school teacher told our class the American Thanksgiving Day story for the first time I was fascinated. She described that when the Native Americans noticed the pilgrims, these strange newcomers, struggling to survive they felt compelled to help them. As a result of following the natives’ advice the pilgrims were abundantly provided for. Then the pilgrims, realizing that none of their success would have been possible without the natives, showed their gratitude by inviting them to share in the bounty. I was inspired by the loving and generous natives and the appreciative pilgrims. It was the world I wanted to believe and live in. It made me want to be more like the people in the story. I couldn’t wait to get home and tell my parents.

I still enjoy this rendition because it makes me feel good about the world and the people in it. It inspires me to be generous toward everyone I meet.

The tradition of Thanksgiving, the autumn practice of giving thanks for provisions preceding the barren months of winter, has been practiced throughout the history of mankind among multiple cultures throughout the world. Regardless of their faith, race, or beliefs, they all intuitively knew that giving thanks for what they had would contribute more to their survival than worrying about what they didn't have.

Today I see Thanksgiving as a global reset button; a collective time out. It gets us to break the momentum of focusing on what we don’t have (with our non-stop striving to get it), and to focus on the good we do have. A break from the habit of pointing out what’s wrong with other people and the world, in order to appreciate all that’s right in the world. Science and psychology have proven the significant benefits gratitude has on our mental, physical and emotional health. I love when science catches up to confirm spiritual laws. The law is simple: what we focus upon grows. When I focus on all that’s good in my life, I attract more good to enjoy.

It was during the height of the Civil War that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national holiday of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens." I believe Lincoln's decision to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War was an ingenious act to bring about peace. By getting us to focus on praise and thanksgiving, even if for just one day, the power of love would be free to fuel the desire for peace.

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving and hope your time-out is full of things to be thankful for. Gratitude is the key to happiness. When we’re happy our generosity flows freely and the world is wonderful place to be a part of.

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow. –Edward Sandford Martin

–Darrell Fusaro

Cartoonist Darrell Fusaro is the co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?

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How to REALLY Enjoy Panettone Traditional Italian Cake

11/24/2015

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After filming wrapped on the set of Cooking with Rosanna a crewmember brought out a Panettone Italian cake and enthusiastically placed it on the table. We had just taped three episodes of the cooking show. The premise was brilliant, an American of Italian decent who doesn’t understand a lick of Italian paired up in the kitchen with an Italian chef who speaks little to no English. I was the American, and the only American on the set.

The benefit of doing a cooking show is the cast and crew gets to sample the gourmet grub once we wrap. After completing three consecutive dishes with chef Rosanne Di Michele we had enough of the finest Italian fare for everyone. I was fascinated that in addition to of all that, they felt it necessary to bring a store bought Panettone cake in a box.

For nearly fifty years I made up my mind that this cake, boxed at a factory and shipped from a warehouse only during the holidays, must be the Italian version of the notorious American fruitcake. The American fruitcake: I never saw kids eat it or adults enthusiastic about it, so I assumed that it must be bad. Since I only ever heard it being referred to as a joke, I figured the only reason it was still around was that it has become a habitual tradition of the holidays that some can’t break.

We gobbled up chef Rosanna’s dishes to the sounds of “mmm mmm” and compliments from all. What could be better than this?, I thought as we all finished.   That’s when the Panettone cake was placed on the table in its commercial box. You got to be kidding me? Really? This is how you top off a gourmet Italian meal prepared by a celebrity chef?

I was amazed at how enthusiastically chef Rosanna and the crew were responding to this cake. It was astonishing to me, I can best describe their excitement as that of elementary school kids hearing the sound of the ice cream truck coming down the street. Our empty plates and utensils were quickly taken away by one crewmember as another removed the Panettone cake from its box and cellophane wrapping. A third crewmember pulled a gallon of whole milk from one of the production cases and a forth began setting large sixteen once glasses on the table, one for everyone of us and each with a spoon.

I watched as the cake was torn, not cut, and one by one each piece stuffed into a glass. Then whole milk was poured into the glass covering the cake before handing it off like a present to each person in line.   Really? This is how you eat it? As soon as I had that thought the crewmember beside me said, “This is why I can’t have these I home; I actually at a whole one by myself this way.”

When I finally tasted a spoonful for myself: OMG! My conversion experience was instantaneous, like that of Paul's on the road to Damascus. No longer a denouncer, I became this treat’s champion. As I continued to eat I couldn’t stop raving about how incredible it was. I even confessed that up until this moment I shied away from this cake because I assumed it wouldn't be any good. They all laughed.

It's amazing how what we think we know can limit the size of our life. From that moment on I’ve felt compelled to share this Panettone treat whenever the opportunity arises. Although some of my friends were skeptical before giving it a try, no one so far has been disappointed and they all go on to rave about it.

After getting my good friend Edward Biagiotti hooked we decided to share this wonderful way of enjoying Panettone with our audience. We co-host the weekly podcast Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed broadcasting live in 170 countries with 157,000 downloads. Since we share stories about how stepping out boldly always leads to better than expected outcomes this experience was the perfect fit. Click here to watch the special YouTube episode we dedicated to the Panettone cake.

Ingredients:
1 Panettone traditional Italian cake
1 16oz glass
1 Spoon
Whole milk

Recipe for success:
Tear a piece of Panettone off the cake
Stuff it into 16oz glass
Pour whole milk into glass
Eat with spoon.
Repeat :)

If you have a favorite way that you really enjoy eating Panettone please share it with us in the comment space below.

Happy Holidays!

–Darrell Fusaro

Cartoonist Darrell Fusaro is the co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?

"There is a principle ... which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance—that principle is contempt prior to investigation." –Herbert Spencer

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I Drew This For You

11/19/2015

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Uncle Sam Loves You!

11/6/2015

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Men exist for the sake of one another. –Marcus Aurelius

Have you ever considered what motivates an average person to voluntarily join the United States military during a time of war? What can be so compelling to make someone sacrifice all personal security? The word patriotism and the synonymous phrase ‘for the love of country’ may come to mind, but what does that really mean?

It does not take too much consideration to realize it does not mean being in love with a piece of land on a map.

Love for, or devotion to, one's country means for the love of YOU. These men and women are driven by a sense of duty born out of love for us. As they leave home for boot camp each one is, by their actions, saying to every American, “You do not need to worry. Stay here where you’re safe. I got this. I will protect you.”

Collectively they make up the anonymous protective force that is responsible for the overall sense of peace that enables every American to enjoy their individual freedom. However, so confident are we Americans in our peaceful freedom that we rarely make the connection.

As a veteran I’ve learned first hand that the United States military relies on the most powerful force in The Universe, and that power is Love. Only through the power of Love can men and woman make decisions that consider the good of the group over self-centered fear. Only by Love can wise decisions be made under fire. Fear goes nowhere and hate, born out of fear, is nothing more than a fast burning fuse to self-destruction.

Each year Veterans Day gives us all an opportunity to show appreciation to those who have demonstrated their appreciation for us by choosing to serve in the armed services.

–Darrell Fusaro

Cartoonist Darrell Fusaro is a decorated United States Coast Guard veteran, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?

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