Last Friday, 20/20 did a show on forgiveness.  One of the segments featured a man who have been wrongly convicted of a murdering someone.  He spent 19 years in prison and was finally released because the real murderer came forward and confessed to the crime.  The man in prison said that the only way he was able to make it through prison during those 19 years was because he chose to forgive.  He forgave the prosecutor who prosecuted him for a crime he did not commit.  He even helped the prosecutor campaign for reelection after he was released from prison. 

He said that he had a choice to forgive or remain filled with hate.  He could either choose to believe that he was a victim while he was in prison or he could choose to forgive and free himself from his anger.  He chose to forgive. 

This takes incredible courage and strength to forgive something like this.  But this type of forgiveness really is not for the person who did the wrong.  It is for the person who chooses to forgive.  Forgiveness like this simply means to let go of a resentment.  The results are both practical and profound because in that moment of letting go of a resentment a person begins to heal themself on a conscious and unconscious level.

Daryn Kagan’s new book What’s Possible is a book about real people overcoming great odds and inspiring others.  She was recently interviewed on CNN.  She says that her favorite example is about a man who is a double amputee with two artificial legs who completed an Iron Man event which consists of running, swimming and biking.  This man is also interviewed by CNN.  The link to both of their interviews is below. 

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/book-of-inspiration-and-hope/4173750586

James Ray is offering visitors to his website free access to video clips of him on television and radio interviews.  In the last year, Ray has been on the Oprah tv show twice, the Larry King show and interviewed on the CBS news show.  Many of these interviews highlight the success that people have experienced as a result of reading Ray’s books or watching him on The Secret.

 However, not everyone is a believer in James.  His interview on CBS news show experts debating with him and critically examing some of his teachings in The Secret.  James’ career has really taken off in the last year with media appearances, book deals and DVD roles. 

You can watch the free video clips of James Ray at the link below: 

 http://jamesray.com/resources/multimedia.php

James Ray, author of Harmonic Wealth, was interviewed on the Today Show yesterday.  James Ray is a true “modern man’s mystic”.  I refer to him this way because he has devoted much of his life to studying ancient spiritual practices and applying them to the modern world.  For example, he was a top salesman at AT&T before becoming a full time author and speaker.  Yet, while at AT&T, he began to apply his spiritual practices to his work.  Eventually, this led him to create his Harmonic Wealth books and programs.

On the Today Show, James spoke about how true wealth goes far beyond making money.  He says that wealth occurs when a person’s spiritual, financial, relationships, physical and mental lives are all in harmony.  He also responded to some of the criticism in The Secret about its emphasis on just thinking your way to success.  The Secret helped launch Ray into the national spotlight with appearances on Oprah and Larry King.  But, Ray did mention that one point not stressed in The Secret is that a person needs have their thoughts, feelings and actions all in alignment to create what they value in life.

You can read the first chapter of his new book is at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24263288/

Oprah’s TV show “Big Give” finale won its time slot Sunday evening.  There were 10 million viewers, 3.2 rating among adults 18-49, and a 9 share.  It is unclear whether Big Give will return next season.  ABC will wait until its upfront presentation to advertisers next month before it makes any official announcement.  But, it is likely to return.

Big Give is a reality show that defies current reality show standards because contestants are competing to give rather than to get.  The show has 10 contestants who must use their creativity and resources to give back and make a difference in the lives of complete strangers.  Throughout the show Oprah and many other celebrities appear to lend their support.

Fox is launching a networkwide public service campaign: “Green it. Mean.”  The campaign starts today and will lead up to Earth Day on April 22.  Some of its stars including Kelsey Grammer and Omar Epps will offer viewers green tips.

Viewers are often skeptical that these green tie ins are just for promotional and marketing initiatives.  Regardless of its reasons, some parts of the entertainment industry are trying to use its visibility to raise awareness for issues that have a great impact on our world.  This Fox campaign may only be an attempt to draw in more advertising revenue and increase ratings, but it also serves a greater purpose in helping people become more environmentally conscious. 

On Tuesday night, the contestants on American Idol sang inspirational songs.  David Archuleta picked a song titled “Angels”, which Simon Cowell proclaimed was the best song choice of the night.  The first line of “Angels”, is

“I sit and wait.  Does an Angel contemplate my fate?” 

It’s interesting that Simon who is known for being very critical of contestants acknowledged that “Angels” was the best song choice of the night. 

This song raises some interesting question about what role Angels may play in our life.  Archangel Gabriel is likely the most well known Angel.  It was Gabriel who was responsible for giving Mary the message about the coming of Jesus.  If a person is open to the possibility that this story is based on truth and Gabriel delivered a message to Mary, then might it also be possible that Angels are capable of giving us guidance today?  For example, why would the Angels be active in people’s lives 2000 years ago, but remain silent now.  Our world today faces just as difficult of problems than any time in history.  So, it appears that these same Angels may be just as likely to offer us guidance and support.  Although their exsistence will never be proven, the sense of peace and direction that some people have reported experiencing will remain very real and powerful. 

Yesterday, Oprah did a show about the impact that her webinar with Eckhart Tolle is having. People from all over the world including someone serving in Iraq and a woman dying of cancer wrote in to say how Tolle’s book is providing them with peace during times of great stress and anxiety. A common question that came up is whether Tolle’s book contradicts religion. One response was that Tolle’s book helps people from all religions because it empowers people to experience and know their spirit or soul on a much deeper level. One commentator even compared Tolle’s book to adding honey to tea because Tolle’s book increases ones experience of their own religious beliefs.

Tonight at 10/9c Randy Pausch will be doing an interview with Diane Sawyer on ABC News.  Randy has become well known because of his Last Lecture, “Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams” he gave at Carnegie Mellon.  In August 2007, Pausch was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer and was told to expect 3-6 months of good health.  Since then, he has been following his dreams including practicing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and also sharing his inspirational messages with others.  Disney-owned publisher Hyperion paid $6.7 million for rights to publish a book about Paush.  Below is a link to clips of his interview with Diane Sawyer.

http://abcnews.go.com/gma/lastlecture

American Idol is having a charity show this Wednesday night.  Celebrity appearances include Billy Crystal Robin Williams, Peyton and Eli Manning, Jimmy Kimmel, Sarah Silverman, Reese Witherspoon and Brad Pitt.   Pitt told the crowd after is was taped Sunday, “Tonight isn’t just about raising money.  Sometimes, to help people, we’ve got to travel outside of our comforone to really understand another situation.”

The show includes performerances by Snoop Dogg and Charlie Wilson, John Legend, Miley Cyrus, Annie Lennox, Mariah Carey, Carrie Underwood, Gloria Estefan and Sheila E.  Underwood remarked,  “It’s not about self-promoting.  It’s not about singing your latest single. It’s not about trying to be the most-downloaded whatever on iTunes. It’s all about getting people to call in and do something.”

Additionally, there are pre-taped segment appearances by David and Victoria Beckham, Kiefer Sutherland, Ellen DeGeneres, Jim Carrey and Whoopi Goldberg  encouraging viewers to make donations. Hillary Rodham Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama also appeared in pre-taped messages.
      

Beneficiaries this year include the Global Fund, Malaria No More, Children’s Health Fund, Save the Children, Children’s Defense Fund and Make It Right, Pitt’s campaign to help New Orleans recover from Hurricane Katrina.  Last year, “Idol Gives Back” raised $76 million for underprivileged children. Producers anticipate this year’s event will raise $100 million