Blog Posts

The Positive Side Effects of HOPE

6/25/2018

The Ärgerverschlinger by Fusaro at home in first grade.

GOOD NEWS: A wonderful series of coincidences have occurred following a first grade class' field trip to the HOPE exhibition and ArtLab at ESMoA, the El Segundo Museum of Art, El Segundo, CA, this past October 2017. As part of this trip the students participated in the ArtLab by decorating their own Hope Boxes.

A Hope Box is any container with an opening. You write your present problem, desire, goal, or hard-to-make decision on a small piece of paper. Then fold it up and put it in your Hope box. In essence, turning it over to a Higher Power.

When this class’ teacher Mrs. Jan Glusac of El Rincon Elementary School, Culver City, CA, shared the students’ Hope Boxes with Los Angeles artist Darrell Fusaro, he was blown away. Ironically, he had just written an article for Daily Word magazine titled, "What is a God Box?" His article coincided perfectly with the Hope Boxes that the first graders had made.

Since Fusaro regularly volunteers to do art activities with this class he and Mrs. Glusac decided to create the "Our Hope Can" with the kids; a classroom Hope Can that the students may use during school days. To decorate the outside of the can each student contributed an image they drew that made them feel good. They did this to reinforce Fusaro’s emphasis that Joy is the activating power that attracts better than expected results. It’s obviously true. The students rely upon “Our Hope Can” regularly. It ignites a joyous expectancy in students towards their hopes, wishes, desires, and goals.

"Our hope can" in the classroom

But wait–that’s not all! What about all of the students' unfriendly thoughts, i.e. frustration, worry, envy, self-pity, self-doubt, etc.? Fusaro came up with a solution; the "Argerverschlinger" (pronounced, “Air-ver-ger-schling-er”, it’s a compound German word he made up meaning "problem devourer"). The students write down their unfriendly thoughts on a piece of paper and feed them to this creature contraption he created. They insert their current unfriendly thought into the Ärgerverschlinger’s mouth, turn the crank on its side and they can see their unfriendly thought get shredded and end up in its belly.

Fusaro wrote this rhyme on the back of the Ärgerverschlinger:

I’m Ärgerverschlinger and here to say,
Some thoughts are unfriendly and get in your way
If you have a fear, anger, or worry,
Then give them to me right away in a hurry
Write it down, I will gobble them up.
And once again you will have good luck

The Ärgerverschlinger and Our Hope Can have their home side by side atop of their own shelf at the front of the classroom. Between them is a little basket of blank notepaper and pens available for students to use whenever they feel the need to let go of an unfriendly thought and fuel their desires. It’s been a thrill for them to discover that letting go of limiting thoughts and beliefs propels them forward to new avenues of fulfillment.

Artist Darrell Fusaro is the author of “What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?” and his interactive piece, “Love Yourselfie Camera,” was included in the “This is Awkward” exhibit at ESMoA.

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What's a God Box?

6/9/2018

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The God box, although effective at solving any problem you may have, may seem silly or at best too simple to be for real. But for those of us who have tried it we are unanimous: it works!

A God box is any container with a slot or opening on top. You write your present problem, worry, desire, or hard-to-make decision on a small piece of paper. Then fold it up and put it in your God box. In essence, turning it over to a Higher Power.

Personally, I include the date and end all my requests with the statement, "This or something better." I believe it to be the intention of "If it be Thy will." This keeps my request in the affirmative and puts my mind in a state of expectancy.

If your request is for guidance I suggest you include, “Make it obvious!” Ask for a definite lead and you will receive one. When my wife Lori and I were deciding whether or not to move with our two cats from New York City to Southern California a friend from California suggested we live in either Marina Del Rey or Santa Monica. Never having been to either and still in New York I put a request for guidance in my God box, ending it with, “and make it obvious.”

The next day while Lori was at work in general conversation she mentioned us contemplating moving to Southern California. One of her co-workers enthusiastically exclaimed, “The best place my husband and I ever lived was this apartment complex in Marina Del Rey. You must live there!” She gave Lori the number. We called and funniest thing, they had a one bedroom coming available in thirty days, it matched our budget and they accepted pets. We made the move.

Writing down my request and putting it in my God box enables me to feel like I've done my part in turning it over. This physical activity gives me a concrete sense that I've actually turned it over to a Higher Power. It also gives me a positive reference for when I catch myself getting concerned again. I simply remind myself that I put that concern in my God box and everything will transpire in divine order, with perfect timing, effortlessness and ease.

Feeling reassured, I become relaxed and confident. I am free to follow hunches and I find myself hyper-aware of coincidences conspiring in my favor. What was at first a dilemma is now an adventure in faith – looking forward to a better-than-expected outcome. The Daily Word Magazine’s meditation, “Faith”, from September 4, 2016, describes this condition perfectly; “Having faith is having joyous expectation.”

In this state of joyous expectation, by the law of attraction, solutions are revealed and our circumstances improve. Don't stress out about what you should use as your God box, any container will do. It doesn't have to be a fancy container. The God box that works best is the one you use.

Some examples of what my friends and I have used as God boxes are, a favorite cereal box, coffee can, oatmeal container, jewelry box, cigar box, a hamper, shoe box, and even a garbage can. One friend chose a can so she could delight in referring to it as, “My God can!” Whatever you choose to use as your God box it will work, since the activating power is in your releasing whatever it is to God.

Whenever I clean out the old requests from my God box I get the added benefit of strengthening my faith by recalling in awe how even forgotten requests were resolved in wonderful ways. And by the date of each request I can see how all solutions came with divine timing as well.

I hope this not only clarified what a God box is but also inspired you to experiment with one for yourself. It doesn’t matter the size of your request. Nothing is too big or too small to put in your God box. Whenever worried or indecisive use it to cast the burden on God so that you may begin to anticipate the unexpected way in which your answer will come.

As published in Recovery Today Magazine, Daily Word Online, and Keys to Recovery Newspaper.

–Darrell Fusaro

Artist Darrell Fusaro is a Decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran, author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug? and co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast.

God Jar by artist Leebs

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Wake Up And Have a Ball With Saint Paul

11/27/2017

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I have a bookmark I look at daily and every time I look at it it breaks me out of the spell of fear, doubt, and worry. I keep it in one of my favorite inspirational readers to mark the day so I’ll see it every morning.

The Daughters Of St. Paul gave it to me. It has an illustration of St. Paul with a golden halo holding a sword in his right hand and holding a book over his chest in his left. There’s also an uplifting bible verse attributed to him printed on it. When I first received this bookmark it didn’t make me feel good at all. It was obvious some changes needed to be made. Mainly to the expression on St. Paul’s face.

His miserable expression made him look uptight. Like someone who takes life way too seriously. As far as I’m concerned seriousness is merely fear pretending to be a grown-up. He looked more like someone in desperate need of hearing his uplifting message than the one giving it.

So I drew a smile on St. Paul’s face. I also added the word “smile” to the biblical quote to give it the kick I need. Now it reads, “Smile! The Lord is here, don’t be anxious about anything. Instead, pray about everything.”

Now anytime I read it what I feel is personal to me. It’s as motivating as if I’m on the precipice of an exhilarating moment. The words coming straight to me from a beloved football coach right before he sends me onto the field.

Coach St. Paul says to me, “Love prevails! Be of good cheer the coast is clear. So stop worrying about what you don’t want to happen, and start imagining what you'd really like to happen. Baptize everything a success and it will be. You’ll see.”

–Darrell Fusaro

Decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

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Happy Thanksgiving! Lincoln and The Law of Attraction

11/22/2017

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Lincoln and the Law of Attraction

It’s true. Gratitude attracts more to be grateful for. It’s also the shortcut to self-esteem, compassion, happiness and above all peace.

“There is a type of power that accompanies true gratitude that may not be understood when we are in the middle of a crisis. Listing your many blessings is a positive action at its finest, and could be the catalyst to attracting the solutions or the strength that you need.” -Unknown

This knowledge most likely inspired President Abraham Lincoln to proclaim a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens," during the most turbulent time in American history. It was 1863, over two and a half years into the Civil War. Would our experiment of a free and democratic society survive? Our country was still in its fragile infancy and headed to a certain end.

However this absurd proclamation by the president seemed to have a profound effect on the collective consciousness of the country. Within seventeen months the war came to a close with the reunification of the states.

Years since it has been concluded by philosophers that what at the time seemed an absurd proclamation wasn’t absurd at all. It was a powerful demonstration of gratitude.

Economists have long confirmed that the rise and fall of the stock market follows the emotional climate of the nation. In short, prosperous living follows happy thanksgiving.

So there you have it. A brief history of when and why Thanksgiving became a national holiday as well as its significance when practiced as a way of life.

“Gratitude is a powerful process for shifting your energy and bringing more of what you want into your life. Be grateful for what you already have and you will attract more good things.” -The Secret

Happy Thanksgiving.

–Darrell Fusaro

Decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

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Love Adds Dog Years to Your Life

7/17/2017

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I care for an aging celebrity with four legs. At 98, this former print model still performs as "Gabby the Postal Pit Bull", delivering the fan mail to be read during my weekly podcast, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed.

In addition to her acting, Gabby continues to be a pit bull goodwill ambassador tirelessly dismantling prejudice with love. Hearing, "She's a pit bull? She's so sweet," is the indication her work is well done.

Now with arthritis she needs my constant support while she eats, drinks, and squats. Each time I race over to help her I selfishly perceive it as a burden, but as soon as I feel her warm furry body in my arms appreciation quickly rinses all that away.

I am so happy my wife, Lori Fusaro, chose to immortalize Gabby in her best-selling book, “MY OLD DOG: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts”. In addition to Gabby, it just might be the happiest book you’ll ever read. It is full of inspiring feel good stories that show how blissful retirement can be for older dogs who get rescued. And the unexpected positive effect they have on the the humans, like Academy Award winning actor George Clooney, who've rescued them.

–Darrell Fusaro

Decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

Gabby loves you!

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What is the Definition of a Father?

6/19/2017

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–Darrell Fusaro

Decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

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How to Succeed in Any Art, Any Trade, or Any Profession

3/31/2017

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Americans fall in love with Italian early. As kids it begins with "spaghetti!" and "meatballs!" and "pizza!", soon it's "espresso!" and "cappuccino!" and "latte!" –Darrell Fusaro

I feel compelled to share how I arrived at the above illustration as an example that successful ideas are fun and always flock to a playful mind.

The challenge of coming up with the full-page illustration and quote for "Darrell's Corner" in each issue of i-Italy | NY magazine has taught me to rely on joy as my guide.

I have a routine. After my morning coffee and inspirational readings I doodle. I begin drawing the first thing that comes to mind. It could be my sleeping dog, a smiling cup of coffee, or a man taking a selfie with a cat on his head. The key is that I ignore reason. I ignore what I think I should be drawing and trust my intuitive thoughts instead. This takes courage because these intuitive thoughts are usually ridiculous. It feels risky to do this, but every time I abandon myself to follow a silly hunch I'm thrilled with the results. It's taught me to aim for joy rather than perfection or approval.

On one morning of doodling a man joyfully tipping back an espresso cup began to take shape on my pad. Right before I was about to draw in the espresso inspiration whispered into my inner ear, "It would be fun to draw the stream of espresso pouring into the word 'yes' inside his mouth." So I did just that and, as always when I carry out a hunch, I loved how it turned out.

Recently I've got into the habit of recording myself drawing these doodles with my smartphone. When I'm done I get a hold of my friend, and musician, Edward Biagiotti. He joins me in singing a humorous soundtrack we feel inspired to accompany the video. For this particular video we had the hunch to sing, "That's Amorè" (See video below). As soon as we were done I was inspired once again, and became enthusiastic knowing that this would be my submission to i-Italy | NY. The inspiration was just one minor adjustment; replacing the word "Yes" with "Amorè".

I'm not surprised but I'm always in awe every time I experience proof that trying hard to succeed at anything will never work as well as having fun.

"To succeed in any undertaking, any art or any trade or any profession, simply keep it ever persistently fixed in mind as an aim, and then study to make all effort toward it play or recreation. The moment it becomes hard work, we are not advancing." –Prentiss Mulford

Follow me @FOOZARO on Instagram and be entertained watching these daily doodles come to life.

It all began with step number fun.

Now I get a little amorè every time I glance at my phone. Download my illustration and you can too.

–Darrell Fusaro

Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

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The One Thing Americans Can All Agree On

12/25/2016

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The one thing Americans can all agree on is that the pursuit of happiness includes a trip to Italy.

Once you get a taste of Italian food, style, and art, you want more.

–Darrell Fusaro

Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

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How to Eat Panettone Traditional Italian Cake. It's Surprisingly Delicious!

12/24/2016

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The co-hosts of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed weekly podcast, Italian-Americans Darrell Fusaro and Edward Biagiotti, were surprised to discover how delicious Panettone is once they learned how Italians ate it. Now they're telling everyone they know.

Here's the 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 you enjoy eating Panettone please share it with us in the comment space below.

Boun Natale.

Darrell and Ed love you!

WARNING: Eating a Panettone cake as Darrell and Ed suggest may ignite a tremendous urge to devour the entire cake in one sitting.

–Darrell Fusaro

Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

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American Christmas Classic "It's a Wonderful Life" is Based on an Italian-American

12/19/2016

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Bank of America was originally the Bank of Italy and started in San Fransico, CA by a young man named Amadeo Giannini, the son of Italian immigrants. His success and that of the bank he founded can be directly attributed to Amadeo's practice of as you give so shall you receive. It was Amadeo's inexhaustible generosity that inspired the character of George Bailey in Frank Capra's classic holiday film, It’s a Wonderful Life.

Amadeo Giannini started the Bank of Italy in a converted saloon in San Francisco at 9 am on Monday, October 17, 1904. On the first day, 28 deposits totalled $8,780. The equivilant of $37,486 today. When an earthquake struck in 1907, he ran his bank from a plank in the street. Ironically, the word “bank” is from the Italian word “banca”, meaning a bench or counter. The news quickly spread about his commitment to previously underserved members of the community such as the working class, immigrant populations, and small businesses. Giannini changed the name to Bank of America in 1928 and by 1929, the bank was strong enough to withstand the Great Depression stock crash. Matter of fact, at the height of the depression in 1932, Bank of America financed the construction of the Golden Gate Bridge.

In the early days of Hollywood, motion pictures were huge risk. Many lenders felt the fledgling medium was a fad and a sure money-loser. But not Giannini. In 1923, he created a motion-picture loan division, which backed such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Cecil B. DeMille, Douglas Fairbanks and Frank Capra, and financed hundreds of films, including such classics as West Side Story, Gone with the Wind and Lawrence of Arabia. When Walt Disney couldn't get a loan to complete the first full-length animated film, Bank of America stepped in and lent Disney the $1.7 million he needed to finish Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Italian-American film director, producer and writer Frank Capra was so impressed with Giannini's humility and generosity that he based the main character "George Bailey" in his 1946 film It’s a Wonderful Life on him.

–Darrell Fusaro

Darrell Fusaro is the author of What If Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?, co-host of the Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed podcast and a contributing columnist for i-Italy Magazine.

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