There are a lot of great ideas that I have just started to use, for which I should thank my dad.

Although he wore a number of professional hats, having produced radio and TV shows as well as the Las Vegas revue for the infamous DJ, Wolfman Jack, for the most part, dad was a career salesperson.

And more than anything else, he believed that your attitude determines your altitude.

I remember telling him that sometimes, after striking out in baseball, particularly if it was the game-ending event, the memory bugged me so much that I relived it, over and over.

In all seriousness, he'd look at me and say, "If it bothers you, just cut that thought out of your mind!”

Then, his fingers held tightly together, as they'd be in a salute, he'd sweep his hand up and to the right, making a cutting motion.

It sounded too simplistic, especially to a doubting teenager.

Then, he'd repeat it: "Just cut it out,” he'd say with a smile.

My parents tipped me off that the older I got, the smarter they'd seem, and they were right on the mark.

Now, when I start to play reruns

of negative experiences, I say, wait a minute!

I don't have to cave in to these thoughts or images.

And with a sweeping salute to my dad, I swiftly cut them out of my mind!

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