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The Sunday Series (119), with Mark Brodinsky

August 28, 2016 By markbrodinsky Leave a Comment

We all come from somewhere, some place and have experienced some thing – actually many things – if you are truly living your life.

The sum of these experiences are part of your make-up and when you share them, they become part of your story.

Everyone has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is The Sunday Series.


The Sunday Series (119): Attitude is Everything

keretz up close

It’s the place outside you that affects you inside – your childhood. Steve Keretz says growing up in Pennsylvania, his childhood was good: “Not rich, not poor, pretty middle class – my mom stayed at home, my dad went to work and growing up in the 80’s I did what a lot of kids did…skiing, fishing, hunting, and I enjoyed reading.”

It was all good, well mostly good, except for the really bad part – junior high school.

“My brother and I had a rough go of it in junior high”, says Steve. “We got picked on quite a bit. Got beat up a lot. I got jumped so bad one time I ended up in the hospital with broken ribs. I was done. I was out. I wanted to quit school. But my dad was having none of it.” Steve says his dad told him, “we don’t quit, we need to find out why people don’t like you.”

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Then Steve’s dad gave him a book. For anyone who doesn’t believe one book, or one idea can change your life, then settle in for the rest of the story.

“My dad gave me the book in 8th grade”, says Steve. “This book taught me to become genuinely interested in other people by asking questions and getting them interested in themselves and not focused on me, or what I was doing. It taught me to stop using the word “I” when speaking. The techniques in the book allowed people to see that Steve Keretz is not a bad guy. I used the techniques and targeted all the popular kids and became genuinely interested in them. Kids can be brutal, so brutal. But I kind of figured out who was popular and who has a lot of friends, who I could talk to and how could I get that guy to not dislike me.”

The book? Dale Carnegie’s, How to Win Friends and Influence People. Published in 1936, more than 50 years later that book and its principles turned Steve’s life around. He went from being an outcast – chased, beaten and ridiculed to an entirely new life experience.

win friends and influence people

“It really made a difference”, says Steve. “It was like a miracle happening, like everything flip-flopped. I worked my way to becoming Vice-President of my class in my sophomore year in high school and Class President in my junior year. I attribute much of my success in high school to that book. I also landed tickets to see one of the great motivational speakers at that time, Zig Ziglar. I was one of 100 people out of thousands who bought tickets at the time and about 50 of us got to spend the morning with Zig. It was pretty cool.”

hspic

Right out of high school, with a positive attitude and motivated to do more with his life – and to build up not only his mind but his body – Steve joined the Marines. Generations of his family proudly served in the Marines and Steve says he loved it: “Boot camp was physically and mentally challenging, it was more mental for me. People who can put their mind to it can get through it. I made lifelong friends there.”

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Eventually Steve made the move down the east coast to Florida, working at a job as a server at a Chili’s restaurant, a stint in a call center selling magazine subscriptions, and then he found outside sales. The career eventually leading him to USHEALTH Advisors. In the sales business Steve’s past experiences helped shape his present and his future.

“I’m fortunate because of what happened in junior high school. It was a good learning lesson for me. I learned a lot about psychology in human beings and other people. The real world is not always a pretty place, there are good people and bad people. I’m glad I went through that experience and glad my dad gave me that book. He was a big influence on my and my brother’s life. Our dad taught us the value of hard work. He worked in the car business and when my brother Mike was 15 and I was 14, he sat us down and asked us if we wanted to get drivers licences. We said of course. He said great, ‘If you want to drive at 16 you’ve got to get a license and you have to afford that car. You thought I was going to buy you one? It doesn’t work that way.’

IMG_0942 dadbrouncle

Steve remembers: “I worked at Pasta Bella a few nights during school and on weekends. It taught me the value of a dollar and hard work. Saturday’s I worked a 12-hour shift and on Sunday a full day as well. By the time I was 16 I could buy a car.”

Work hard and believe. “The world is not a negative place”, says Steve. “Going through all I went through when I was younger, then working hard and joining the Marines helped prep me to be a big believer in attitude and work ethic. If you have those two things you can be successful.”

Success comes from the willingness to give and it’s what drives Steve, now back in Pennsylvania, as a Field Sales Leader with USHA. “I will give a new advisor 100% if I see they are working”, says Steve. “If they are working, I am working. If I see that work ethic I will do anything for them. A lot of people come to our company and may not be in the best financial situation, but they take the leap of faith. I always remember where I came from. I try not to prejudge but be thankful and grateful and blessed for these opportunities.”

hope in keretz focus on the concept steve keretz

“I’m just speaking from the heart. I try my hardest to always do the right thing and sometimes I get it wrong.  I’m human, I have made many mistakes in life, but always try to do the right thing and sometimes it’s the hardest thing to do. I really do try to put other people’s needs first in business and in life. It’s the classic Zig Ziglar philosophy – you can have anything you want it life, if you just help other people get what they want.  I believe it. If you focus on doing the right thing you will find joy from your substance when you do that. Good things will come to you. I do believe in God and he’s watching and things are being tallied up. God wants us to be kind to each other and I have a general positive outlook on most things. I believe the world is full of abundance.”

Steve says he has a special friend who has really helped to put things into perspective.

“My friend Nigel said something that stuck with me. You can use all the things that go wrong and all the negative things that happen to you as a reason to fail, or use them as a reason to succeed in life. Some people can unfortunately allow the bad and negative things to affect them, when instead you have the power to have a positive vibe. The negative things can set me back, but not hold me down. I use them as fuel to fire me up to succeed.”

It’s a fire so strong Steve has made it the message which looms large in his office and just as importantly in his life: Attitude is Everything.

2016-02-26 12.53.31

Until next time thanks for taking the time,

Mark

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USHEALTH Advisors: (http://www.prweb.com/releases/markbrodinsky/072015/prweb12862708.htm)

Huffington Post: (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-brodinsky/)

The Profile: (http://www.talkinggood.com/profiles/MarkBrodinsky)

The Podcast: (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sunday-series-courage-inspiration/id1028611459)

Author: The #1 Amazon Best Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
(http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Brodinsky/e/B00FI6R3U6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Mark Brodinsky
Emmy Award Winner, 1996

Ever thought about writing a book? check this out!

Blog Reviews

Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

Rachel Blaufeld

Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

 Stephen Koncurat

I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

Gina Glick Jolson

Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

Marilyn Lefkowitz

Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

Lynne Turner Dorsey

From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

Bonnie Brodinsky

I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

Amy F.

I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

Gayle Blank

You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia

I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

Chuck Connolly

Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

Jackie Hetrick

With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

Ed Nemec

Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

Debbie Press

Mark, I am glad I clicked on your post this morning, which lead me to your writing, your goal.
Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

Aileen Braverman

I can’t wait to read the book. I have followed all the blogs and feel so good that I know u guys. You make me cry but you make me laugh too. All the very best to you!

Beverlee Rendelman

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné Pallace
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. Riecks
November 4, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109
October 23, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. Bogash
Seven Valleys, PA

ittakes2_reviews_2

There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

 PattiM
September 25, 2013

 

ittakes2_reviews_2

From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

 Jenny Schloss 

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