Darrell Fusaro

The Magnetic Effect of Gratitude: Thank and Grow Rich

11/12/2025

Gratitude, the mental attitude of appreciation for what is, is more than just a pleasant frame of mind. It is a magnetic force that attracts more good things into your life to be grateful for. As Oprah Winfrey put it, “Be thankful for what you have, and you’ll end up having more.”

This isn’t just poetic—it’s practical. When we shift our focus from what is missing to the good that is present, everything improves. This isn’t anything new, Plato is quoted as teaching, “A grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.”

Whatever we appreciate increases in value. Small acts of appreciation ripple outward and return as blessings of unexpected good—unexpected kindness, unexpected money, unexpected love, unexpected generosity, unexpected offers, and even unexpected opportunities coming in unexpected ways from unexpected places.

Meister Eckhart highlighted gratitude’s power and simplicity, “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is ‘thank you’, it will be enough.” It’s a prayer that guarantees it will be answered with a blessing. Saying, ‘thank you’ is more than good manners—it is the practice of giving. Whatever we give we receive in kind. The more you appreciate others, the more others appreciate you. Appreciation in the form of gratitude is the best investment you can make in your future. Every ‘thank you’ plants the seed of a miracle.

This month, as we gather on Thanksgiving Day to share our gratitude, we are reminded of how good it feels to appreciate life’s blessings. But why leave it at one holiday? Getting into the healthy habit of gratitude turns every day into a holiday. The more we give thanks, the more life gives us reasons to give thanks.

In short, thank and grow rich.

DARRELL FUSARO is host of The Intuitive Method podcast. His latest book, Step Out Boldly: The Hidden Meaning of The Statue of Liberty is an Amazon #1 New Release Bestseller.

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Your Personal Declaration of Independence

6/18/2025

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Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. –Goethe

Happy Independence Day! This month we commemorate July 4, 1776—the day the 13 American Colonies boldly declared independence from Great Britain’s King George III. Eleven years later on September 17, 1787, a new form of government was established by “We, the People.” The government enshrined in the US Constitution was a radical departure from all forms of government in human history.

It took immense courage for these early Americans to break away from monarchy, ruling classes, and dictatorship to try something entirely new: self-government. Facing likely retaliation from what was then the most powerful nation on earth, their choice was nothing short of revolutionary—and it succeeded.

Why not consider this national holiday as your own, in a personal way? Do you have a dream that you’ve been holding back from pursuing? Has doubt, worry, or fear of other people’s opinions kept you from making your own bold move—your own personal Declaration of Independence?

This year’s July 4th celebration can be remembered as your Independence Day. The day you made the decision to break free from the tyranny of self-doubt and took that first step toward your desire. Even the smallest step outside your comfort zone—your "stagnant zone"--will lead to new and exciting outcomes.

In an essay titled, "Conscious Self-Government", Foster C. McClellan writes: “To live in conscious self-government is to march to the tune of our own drummer, to be true to our own inner guidance, to know ourselves. Through conscious self-government, we can enter the kingdom of good right now… Self-government is our heritage to do with as we will.”

With that in mind, why not consider signing your own Personal Declaration of Independence to encourage and inspire you to take that first step toward your dreams. Independence Day is our powerful reminder: we’ve been given the gift of Liberty. How will we express it?

Personal Declaration of Independence

Today, I declare my personal independence from the tyranny of my inner critic—the scaredy-cat who worries what others might think if I follow my heart’s desires. I break free from limiting ideas. I joyfully expect that my intuition will lead me in wonderful ways.

From now on, I declare my freedom to recognize, trust, and act on my inner guidance. I step out boldly.

Signed:
Date:

By honoring this declaration, I open myself to improved health, happiness, love, success, prosperity, and an overall feeling of generosity and goodwill toward others.

DARRELL FUSARO is co-host of the podcast Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed and host of The Intuitive Method podcast. His latest book, Step Out Boldly: The Hidden Meaning of The Statue of Liberty is an Amazon #1 New Release Bestseller.

Visit: ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com

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Change Your Words, Change Your Life

4/7/2025

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The things we say when we talk to ourselves have a significant effect on our experience, for better or worse. When I’m in a rut I often have to remind myself of the fact that success begins when I say kind things, to myself. I’ve found that there is a direct connection between feeling stressed and negative self-talk. Whether this negative self-talk is directed towards ourselves in the form of self-condemnation or towards others in the form of criticism, it robs us of our power and veers us out of the positive stream of life.

When I was enlisted in the military, I was introduced to the transformative exercise of taking note of the words I used and the results that followed. At first, saying something kind and encouraging in place of something criticizing and condemning felt ridiculous and dishonest. It was then pointed out to me that this was not unusual since most people have unfortunately developed the habit of complaining, blaming, and condemning, rather than praising, blessing, and appreciating. It then became clear to me that I had been doing just that. I had made a habit out of cursing rather than blessing myself, my circumstances, and others. I decided to commit to this practice in the field and I was astonished at how drastically situations would improve. Having battle-tested the power of my words, within and without, I’ve continued to do my best to swing into the affirmative with my words ever since. I keep myself motivated with the biblical truth that, “My words go out and do not come back empty-handed. They’ll do the work I sent them to do; they’ll complete the assignment I gave them.”

Why not for one day experiment with encouragement rather than discouragement? Whenever you catch yourself about to criticize, condemn, or complain, quickly seek to praise, bless, and appreciate instead.

Some people quickly dismiss this as seeming too simplistic and too good to be true. I thought the same. However, the results are always convincing. This isn’t something new either. Did you know the word “abracadabra” is an ancient Aramaic word that means, “I create as I speak”?

Author Emmet Fox puts this all very simply as, “Bless a thing and it will bless you. Curse a thing and it will curse you.”

Success begins when you say kind things to yourself. Why not start today?

DARRELL FUSARO is co-host of the podcast Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed and host of The Intuitive Method podcast. His latest book, Step Out Boldly: The Hidden Meaning of The Statue of Liberty is a #1 New Release Bestseller.

Visit: ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com

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Practicing Gratitude Produces Good Fortune

2/20/2025

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When something wonderful unexpectedly happens people often refer to it as, “the funniest thing.” For example, “Funniest thing! The person who interviewed me for that job I really want grew up in the same town and we had a great time reminiscing.” “The funniest thing happened, we had an unexpected bill and a day later we received an unexpected check as a gift from a family member in the same amount.” “Funniest thing! I had trouble finding a parking space but when I finally did the person getting out of the car next to me was someone who I haven’t seen in years and was just thinking about.”

What if these coincidences weren’t just coincidences at all? What if you had something to do with causing these serendipitous and seemingly miraculous outcomes? For centuries philosophers have said we do. So, what is the cause that we have control over that results in a charmed life? It’s our attitude. Attitude can be described as, your mental approach to life. Your attitude, your mental approach to any situation, is the combination of your thoughts and feelings about it. Those who proceed with a faithful attitude, one of gratitude and joyful expectancy, seem to enjoy more good luck than those who proceed with a fearful attitude, one of morbid expectancy. Why is this so? Because our thoughts produce feelings and feelings equal vibration. Good and faithful thoughts produce good feelings, and these good vibrations make us magnetic to good results.

We get to choose our vibrational match by the thoughts we choose to tune in to and the feelings, or vibration, they produce. Author Alan Cohen states, “Luck is not a capricious gift that whimsically falls into our lap; it is a force we activate with our thoughts, feelings, attitude, words, and actions.” The best and quickest way I have found to get in tune with my good fortune is the practice of gratitude. I consider gratitude the law of increase, and complaint the law of decrease. Appreciate the good you already have and “Funniest thing!” you’ll get more to be grateful for.

DARRELL FUSARO is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran. His latest self-illustrated book, Step Out Boldly: The Hidden Meaning of The Statue of Liberty was a #1 New Release Bestseller on Amazon.

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Expect Unexpected Income

5/16/2024

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Recovery, 2024, solid marker on paper, 18" x 24", unframed, $600

“We don’t achieve or receive what we deserve or even what we pray for. We achieve or receive what we expect.” – Eric Butterworth

We can all agree that receiving unexpected income is always a wonderful surprise. So why not be so bold as to expect it? Faith after all is defined as joyous expectation. Faith is adopting the healthy state of mind that the Universe will always provide according to our expectations.

The attitude of joyous expectancy is the basis of recovery. Step two of the twelve step recovery program launches folks into recovery with the practice of joyful expectation. The expectation “…that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

Fear, on the other hand, is morbid expectation. This unhealthy state of mind robs us of our confidence, self-esteem, and ambition. Always anticipating conflict and problems depletes our energy and increases stress.

There’s no such thing as a confident pessimist. And I’ve never met a miserable optimist. Matter of fact there’s no progress without optimism. Knowing that we always have a choice in our attitude —our mental approach to life— means we get to determine our experiences. If navigating through life with a positive attitude simply made us feel better, it wouldn’t be as motivating as the truth. The truth is: our inner attitude determines and produces our outer experiences. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” –Galatians 6:7

Everything is vibration and it’s the Universe’s job to always match your vibration. If you’re vibrating at “Woe is me, nothing ever works out in my favor,” then the Universe responds, “OK, nothing works out in your favor.” It’s always reflecting your consciousness back to you. So, likewise if you’re vibrating at “I’m blessed wherever I go. My world is filled with charming people who lovingly help me in every way,” the Universe responds in kind. This is what is meant by, “God is not mocked.” It’s a spiritual principle that’s always in operation, whether or not we are aware of it or even believe in it. Happy and successful people use this knowledge to their favor, so why not join them?

An easy way to get in the healthy habit of working with this principle to your advantage is to begin each day with The Oath of Manifestation by Dr. Cheryl Ward.

“I am God's Rich Child!

Therefore, I accept and receive unexpected good, unexpected money, unexpected love, unexpected kindness, unexpected generosity, unexpected offers, unexpected prosperity coming in unexpected ways from unexpected places in my life and the life of others.

I am constantly guided, and boldly empowered, to receive the lavish abundance of the Universe!

I accept the Principle that abundance and prosperity have already been given to me.

My acceptance makes it real and opens the space for manifestation to rush in!

I open wide the doors of my consciousness to receive and to give! It IS done now!

Thank you, God!”

Expect unexpected good fortune and be confident that you will receive just as you have expected. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” –Mark 11:24

Artist Darrell Fusaro is a decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran, creator of the “The Intuitive Method,” co-host of the internationally popular weekly podcast, “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” and author of the books, “What if Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?” and “Break Out of Your Box: Be Your Heroic Self”. www.ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com

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Hop on The Unicorn

5/3/2024

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Conscience is your higher power working to steer you toward your authentic life. Our conscience can be considered synonymous with intuition. It’s our extrasensory perception: our sixth sense. We all have it and we’ve all felt it nudging us to follow its lead. However, trusting it takes a leap of faith. God’s guidance seems at times as too good to be true, too risky. We often justify and rationalize why it’s best to ignore the leading. The good news is our inner guide will never lead us astray. Let’s remind ourselves that these joyful nudges and gentle leadings are directing us to great gifts – our heart’s desires. Conscience makes us responsible for bringing life through action to spiritual principles.

In the following excerpt, Emmet Fox points to the unicorn as a metaphor for this.

The Unicorn

As long as we insist upon telling God His business, nothing very much can come of our prayers.

The ox, the mule, the donkey, will obediently pull your plow and your cart, and take them where you want to go; but you have to know where that is, and how to get there. The unicorn will not do chores. He will not pull a cart or turn a mill. He will not take orders.

The unicorn knows where he is going, and it is always somewhere that you could not choose because you never heard of it; and in your present consciousness you could not even dream that such a place could exist.

Nevertheless, there are such places, and the unicorn knows them, and is not interested in anything less. Someday it may happen, probably when you least expect it, that the unicorn will suddenly appear at your side, eyes flashing, nostrils quivering, pawing the ground with impatience. When that happens, do not try to put a bridle on him, or to look for some task for him to do. He will not do it, and there will not be time. No sooner, seemingly, has he appeared than off he will go again. So do not pause, but leap upon his back, for he is a flying steed, and he wings his way to the gates of the morning.

On that ride problems are not solved- they disappear.

Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib? Canst thou bind the unicorn with his band in the furrow? or will he harrow the valleys after thee? (Job 39:9-10)

–From "Around the Year with Emmet Fox", September 8

Artist Darrell Fusaro is a decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran, creator of the “The Intuitive Method, co-host of the internationally popular weekly podcast, “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” and author of the books, “What if Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?” and “Break Out of Your Box: Be Your Heroic Self”. www.ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com

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See Your Desire as a Premonition

4/14/2024

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Possibilities, 2023, solid marker on paper, 18" x 24", unframed, $500

“Desire in the heart is always God, tapping at the door of your consciousness…The thing you desire is not only for you, but has already been started toward you out of the heart of God.” –H. Emily Cady

If you would like to manifest your desire, get out of the way. Do not quench the spirit! Enjoy that good feeling you get when an unexpected flash of a wonderful possibility comes to mind. See it as an indication that it is “in the cards” for you. There are two attitudes of mind that get in the way of your greater good materializing for you. One is dismissing it as too silly, too good to be true, too far out of your reach. The other is trying to figure out how you’re going to make it happen.

Both of these attitudes are ways of saying no to the good being offered you, to a possibility you'd love to experience. If you really would like to cooperate with the good that’s seeking you, stay out of the way. Refuse the urge to shoo away your good. See your desire as a premonition. Remind yourself that with God nothing is too good to be true. Look forward to it by anticipating in what wonderful and unexpected way it will come about. Do not try to figure out how you're going to make it happen, let God surprise you! Rely on poise, not force. Poise is power. Poise is the winning combination of joyful expectancy and patience. A great little affirmation is, “God, I'm trusting!” Use this and let it go. You will be guided. You will end up in the right place at the right time. The right people will appear to assist you.

Shortly after moving to Los Angeles a young couple decided to spend a day at Universal Studios amusement park. One of the attractions was the Backlot Studio Tour. During the tour a guide drives the group on a tram through the backlot movie sets of Universal Studios. The tour guide points out areas where historical movie making scenes have taken place over time. During this specific tour the tram drove past the Town Square set. This is the set where several of the iconic scenes in the motion picture “Back to The Future” took place. While passing the area it was obvious that a production was underway. The crew was working on the staging while the actors were close-by seated in the folding chairs you’d expect to see on a movie set. When the tram passed by at a distance, cast and crew noticed and waved to the tourists. Waving back from the tram the young man turned to his wife and said, “Isn’t that wonderful.” He had a flash in that moment of experiencing himself as an actor on that very Town Square set, bringing joy to a group of tourists with a smile and a wave as they passed by.

From time to time since that moment he would enjoy reliving that desire in mind. He’d just enjoy the idea of it and let it go. It made him feel good to think about it, so he thought about it often. Serendipitously, people, events, and connections began to happen that corresponded with this desire. The only effort he took toward this end was following joyful hunches when they came up. In a little over a year, he was working as an actor on that very Town Square set waving with a big smile to the tourists passing by on the tram.

The desire for a change for the better is the Divine nudge of progress. “Quench not the spirit.” If you’re not clear what it is that would bring you more fulfillment, ask God for a sign. You will get one and you’ll know it when you see it because it will feel good. Believe beyond any doubt that Spirit is guiding you to your highest and best. Do not be discouraged or dissuaded by the opinions of others or your own limiting ideas. Affirm that you have mountain-moving faith to do whatever you are called to do in the most positive and effortless ways. Accept your desire as a premonition and look forward to it.

Artist Darrell Fusaro is a decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran, creator of the “The Intuitive Method, co-host of the internationally popular weekly podcast, “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” and author of the books, “What if Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?” and “Break Out of Your Box: Be Your Heroic Self”. www.ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com

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How to Be Luckier

3/12/2024

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When most people talk about luck it's in the form of something very unlikely to occur. For instance, if someone announces that they're about to embark on some inspired enterprise they'll most likely hear the naysayers comment, “Yeah right, good luck with that pal.” That’s because they don’t understand the truth about luck.

The truth is, luck is a consequence not a cause. Not understanding the cause that produces success, people call it “luck” and build up a belief in “chance.” The statements “Luck has nothing to do with it” and “There’s no such thing as luck” are correct. Luck is the result of our attitude – our mental approach to life. That is the cause. If you want to improve your luck, improve what you think about. Luck is not by accident.

Ever consider the reference to someone as being, “happy-go-lucky”? Doesn't that clearly imply that those with an optimistic and faithful approach to life seem to have good luck wherever they go? They have a confident laid-back attitude because they trust in God. They trust God is for them, not against them. They believe that while they’re doing what’s in front of them to do, God is working on their behalf behind the scenes. While I was in the military, a U.S. Marine Corps gunnery sergeant informed me that, “A smiling man is the indication of a confident man. He’s confident that all things are working together for his good.”

Maybe we should take the time to reflect on the meaning of luck. I consider luck as serendipity. And what causes a serendipitous lifestyle? Having a desire and then believing that God is making all the arrangements while we go about our business. This creates the joyful anticipation of looking forward to unexpected blessings. With this attitude we experience all sorts of seeming coincidences occurring in our favor. We always seem to end up in the right place at the right time.

Every person is surrounded by a thought atmosphere. The joyful mood, of wondering in what unexpected ways our good will present itself, creates a thought atmosphere of success that is an irresistible power. It's all vibration. We attract the experiences in our life by matching the vibration of our desire with the thoughts, words, and feelings we habitually entertain. The thoughts, words, and feelings we habitually entertain determine our experience. Lucky people think about success. They radiate joy, filled with faith and expectancy.

If you want to improve your luck improve what you think about. Gratitude is the law of increase, and complaint is the law of decrease. Simply put, “Some guys have all the luck… some guys do nothing but complain” as the song sung by Rod Stewart goes. It's clear folks, it's either one or the other. You're either the guy or gal having all the luck, or you're the one doing nothing but complaining.

Florence Scovel Shinn states, “Words and thoughts are a form of radio activity, and do not return void. ‘By your words you are justified, and by your words you are condemned.’ Count your blessings. It is the law of increase. Be grateful for what you have, and you will attract more to be grateful for. Nothing comes into your life uninvited. You are always inviting poverty or prosperity by the quality of your thought.”

It's never too late or too soon to enjoy a serendipitous lifestyle. Start now. The truth is you are divinely irresistible. The good you seek is seeking you. Give thanks in advance. Look forward to your good coming to you in unexpected ways. Affirm for yourself; “Now I stand on holy ground and great things happen all around.” Not only will your luck improve, you’ll be the one who improves everyone’s luck when you walk into the room.

Artist Darrell Fusaro is a decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran, co-host of the internationally popular weekly podcast, “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” and author of the books, “What if Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?” and “Break Out of Your Box: Be Your Heroic Self”. www.ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com

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Easy Does It, The Good You Seek Is Seeking You

3/6/2024

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"Why are you rushing so much?" asked the rabbi. "I’m rushing after my livelihood," the man answered. "And how do you know," said the rabbi, "that your livelihood is running on before you, so that you have to rush after it? Perhaps it's behind you, and all you need to do is stand still."
- Tale about Rabbi Ben Meir of Berdichev

Hurry is an expression of fear. Fear that there is not enough. It’s an indication of a belief in lack. When I catch myself hurrying I realize I must switch from a “not enough” mentality to a “more than enough” mentality. From a fearful mentality to a faithful mentality, from a bad feeling mentality to a good feeling one. I’ve noticed as I relax, by putting my faith in divine timing, traffic seems to go my way.

The biblical quote, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord” can be interpreted as, “Relax and experience the solution.” So, cultivate poise. Poise is power. Poise is a combination of patience and the expectancy that all is in divine order.

“For fast-acting relief try slowing down.” –Lily Tomlin

Artist Darrell Fusaro is a decorated U.S. Coast Guard veteran, co-host of the internationally popular weekly podcast, “Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed” and author of the books, “What if Godzilla Just Wanted a Hug?” and “Break Out of Your Box: Be Your Heroic Self”. www.ThisWillMakeYouHappy.com

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New Workshop! The Intuitive Method

3/1/2024

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You were born creative. It’s in your DNA. The only thing that can prevent you from freely expressing yourself is your own critical mind. It’s not your fault. Too much emphasis has been put on, good vs bad and right vs wrong during art lessons. This misguided instruction encourages control and rules over spontaneity. No wonder most people, including artists, feel intimidated and stressed when they have the thought of creating something new.

You are not a potato that needs to be stuffed with the knowledge of more rules before you can begin. You’re a fountain waiting to be expressed. Your intuition is always ready and willing to guide you and surprise you. It isn't difficult to connect with this supernatural force within.

This April, I will be facilitating The Intuitive Method workshop via Zoom.

This method of visual art making enables participants to experience the joy of recognizing and acting on their intuition in the moment. Through a simple creative process you will learn how to wake up and strengthen your connection to your intuition. Learning to trust intuitive guidance is the key to discovering and unlocking your creative originality. Intuition is always available, waiting and willing to lead us to better than expected results. This workshop will teach you how to actively engage with your intuition.

The Intuitive Method Workshop via Zoom:
Four (4) consecutive Wednesdays
April 3, 10, 17, 24, 2024
4pm - 5pm Pacific Time
Cost $120
*Deadline to sign up: Sunday, March 31, 2024

Darrell Fusaro, also known as Foozaro, is a creative artist who has made a significant impact in various fields of art, from exhibiting with the iconic Andy Warhol to creating miniature FX for the blockbuster movie "Con Air". AIGA, the American Institute of Graphic Artists, awarded him with a Certificate of Excellence for graphic design. He has also worked as a producer of the Emmy-nominated "Local Edition" on CNN.

While serving in the US Coast Guard, he was awarded the Army Commendation Medal by the Secretary of the Army, recognizing his outstanding contribution in bringing about superior relationships between the military and civilian law enforcement community. This recognition speaks volumes about Darrell's character and his ability to connect with people from different walks of life.

Currently, Darrell is co-hosting the internationally popular podcast "Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed," where he continues to share his unique perspective on life and bring joy and laughter to his audience. His latest book, "Break Out of Your Box: Be Your Heroic Self" is another testament to his ability to inspire others to explore new ideas and challenge themselves to live their best lives.

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