Life is Good, Really

This certainly is not the 1950’s. If you ever want to watch a feel good movie, watch something about the 1950’s. You can also watch something that was filmed in the 1980’s. With our country at war, and the national debt at unprecedented levels that our children will be paying for, we can probably conclude that these are not the best of times. Some may say that the best times were before the computer was a household commodity. Everyone has a cell phone nowadays. We are all in touch and up to date on the latest happenings, but are we happier? Remember when the highlight of Sunday was watching Abbott and Costello? We could also look forward to watching The Bowery Boys or Tarzan. There were a limited number of television stations to watch, but you could usually find something entertaining to watch. From I Love Lucy to Gomer Pyle, there were many funny, wholesome programs to watch.

• And whatever happened to comedy teams? The Three Stooges were hilarious, Abbott and Costello were always and always will be a delight to watch. The Marx Brothers had a zany comedic style all their own. Laurel and hardy will still make you laugh out loud. Martin and Lewis were always a class act, and funny. I can go on and on. Ralph Cramden and Ed Norton, Archie and the Meathead, Gomer Pyle and Sergeant Carter, Lucy and Ethel, Wilbur and Mr. Ed, George Burns and Gracie Allen, Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, to name a few.
• If you are ever feeling down, just watch some of these old classics. It will show how you can laugh and feel good about something when times were not as complicated as today. Let’s bring back The Little Rascals. Watch them today, and it will bring back wonderful memories. Way back when there was no iPod, or computer, or wii game, we had great, great entertainment. We could also be content with just sitting on the porch talking, or maybe reading a good book. A walk through the neighborhood could be a refreshing way to spend the day.
• Remember the variety shows? Sonny and Cher were wonderful together. Tony Orlando and Dawn certainly knew how to entertain us. Laugh-in was a must see show each week. The Carol Burnett Show became a classic. Flip Wilson was a riot. By the way, were you a Hee Haw fan? These are just a few, of course.
Maybe after seeing all of this talent for so many years, the powers that be felt that all of the talent was exhausted and decided to produce reality shows. The best times may still lie ahead for us, but there have been so many joyful times that we have had the privilege of experiencing. All of the wonderful people, who have brought joy and laughter into our lives, have started like us; yet there was some talent inside yearning to be exposed to the world. Every one of us has something special to offer this world, and by bringing something of value to the world, we in turn will benefit. Realize what your special talent or ambition is. It may be to spend time in a hospital with someone, or to make the best chocolate cookies since Famous Amos. We can all make a difference. Life is good, really.

Pat Esposito has been involved in real estate for 28 years as an investor, trainer, and consultant. He is the author of The Best Investment You Can Make, and The Informed Real Estate Investor and is the founder of www.theinformedrealestateinvestor.com