by Bryan Golden

Many readers of my book and column asked the following questions regarding their own application of the concepts I write about.  Here are the most commonly asked questions and my answers.

• Does how I think really make that much of a difference in my life?

Yes.  Your thoughts are the only thing you have total control over.  Your thoughts govern your behavior.  Your thoughts determine how you react to your environment.  Your thoughts effect the type of people you attract.  Your thoughts influence every aspect of your life.

Not taking proactive control of your thoughts is the same as attempting to drive a car with the windshield painted black.  Although you will wind up somewhere, it’s probably not going to be where you want to be.

• Will a positive mindset make my life better?

Yes. A positive mindset has numerous benefits.  It helps you overcome obstacles.  A positive mindset keeps you motivated and prevents you from giving up.  With a positive mindset you will find a solution for every problem.  Additionally, there are no negative side effects to a positive attitude.

On the other hand, a negative outlook is a constant impediment to your having the life you want.  There are absolutely no advantages to having a negative attitude.  With a negative attitude, you will find problems in every situation.

• I tried positive thinking but nothing happened.

Positive thinking is just the first step.  Positive thinking is the fuel.  Action is the engine.  Unless your thoughts are followed by action, little will happen.  Positive thinking must be followed by positive action.

You will be disappointed if you just wait for good things to happen.  You have to take the necessary action to make them happen.  The people who tried positive thinking to no avail did not take the all important action step.

• There are things I really want but I haven’t gotten them.

Results don’t materialize immediately.  Some things will happen quickly while others will take more time.  You never know how long something will take so you must keep working toward your goals.

If you give up, you guarantee the results you want will never happen.  Just because you may not yet be at your desired destination, you never stop traveling along the path to get there.  The exact distance you have to go is the unknown.

• Things just don’t work out for me.  What’s wrong?

If one thing doesn’t work, you have to try something else.  But before you conclude something didn’t work, make sure it’s not that you didn’t allow enough time.  Too many people try something once and then immediately declare their efforts a failure.

So you may have to allow more time or you might need to alter your strategy.  It’s not a science and there is no magic answer.  Persistence and determination is a key to success.

• How can I stop people from criticizing me?

You can’t.  You have no control over, nor does it matter, what others say, think, or do.  Regardless of what you do, you will be criticized.  Live your life the way you want to and don’t worry about getting approval.

When you are hobbled by the fear of criticism, you limit your life in order to meet the expectations of others.  People who do this become very unhappy and frustrated.

• How can I keep from getting discouraged?

Feeling discouraged and frustrated at times is normal.  Even the most positive, driven, and upbeat people experience it.  Your objective is not to let those emotions derail you.  The feelings will pass.  The more action you take, the more fleeting will be the frustration.  Never, ever give up.  Keep going, especially when you don’t feel like it.

NOW AVAILABLE:  “Dare to Live Without Limits,” the book.  Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.   2006 Bryan Golden

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by Don Greene

In the last safety piece, I wrote that there is no right of way allowed. That statement holds true. However, there is a condition called “The Pecking Order” that will help you to safely pass a vessel under the following prioritized conditions.

Priority Number 1 is Vessel Not Under Command (NUC) vessel. Lower ranked vessels must always give way to vessels ranked higher on the pecking list. The least maneuverable NUC vessel ran aground, lost steerage or lost engine power. Stay well clear of the NUC vessel as you pass to continue your voyage.

The next more maneuverable vessel is a vessel that is Restricted in their Ability to Maneuver, (RAM). An example of a RAM vessel; performing under sea operations like laying or picking up mines, dredging or picking up and servicing buoys or vessels with a stern tow.

The next vessel in the Pecking order is the Constrained by Draft (CBD). The CBD is concerned with the amount of water under its keel and the possibilty of running aground, thus, constrained by draft.

The next vessel is the Fishing vessel. To maintain his position in the pecking order, this vessel must have twirls traps and lines down.

The next is a Sailing vessel under wind power. If the boat elects to turn on his engines, he becomes a powerboat.

A Power vessel is next in the pecking order. This includes any vessel that has an engine.

The most maneuverable vessel is a Seaplane. This vessel can land in the water and on land. If you see a seaplane getting ready to land, stay well clear of his approach.

There is a white covered book called the Rules of Navigation, available for $10.00, that has all of the rules and the additional lights for navigation at night.  If your vessel is 39.4’ or more you are required to have this book on board at all times.

Maritime law says you are obligated to offer assistance to the vessel in trouble. The good samaritan law offers you protection, providing you do not endanger your crew and passengers or your vessel, or put your self in harm’s way. If you would like a free vessel safety inspection, please call 860.608.1075.

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by Captain Allen Fee

No, that’s not the famed bumper sticker, so frequently followed in the coastal locales, north of Boston. As our early forefathers approached the New World, there were tales of Atlantic cod so thick, one might be able to walk upon. Lobster so plentiful, they were fed to the livestock. The Atlantic cod became a staple to early Americans and explorers alike. Hence the phrase, “In cod we trust.”

This year is indefinately the year for change. By that of course, I am referring to the CT Marine Species Regulations. Here we are on a beautiful day in May, waiting for another thirty days to pass before we can begin fishing on Long Island Sound. Once open, the highly anticipating angler must act quickly, because ninety days later, that very same season will close.

On the other hand, or fin if you will, the CT trout season is open from April through February. Conservation efforts in the open water, the sea, have proved to be successful with some species such as striped bass, and even bluefish.

Aside from a few early striped bass catches, fluke fishing is often thought of as the season opener for most boaters. This year, the date was pushed three weeks forward, to June 15th and will close August 19th. Most recreational anglers will agree that Fluke stocks are quite strong. By the way, the number  of fish you are allowed to keep per day was reduced to three.

Wolf, of We-Tu Bait and Tackle, North Stonington, reported, “The trout season is in full bloom.” We-Tu is on the Eastern Pequot Reservation, overlooking  Long Pond. Amos Lake and Patchaug are also doing good. “Been selling lots of shiners and mealworms. The Rapala Countdown and Floatin’ lures have also been a good choice.” Wolf also announced that We-Tu would also be hosting a Father’s Day Fishing Tournament. Call the shop for details, 860.536.6551.

Back in Mystic, Allen and Cheryl at Shaffer’s Bait and Tackle, reported schools of bunker, or menhaden, in the downtown Mystic area. Many anglers purchased snag hooks to catch and live-line them for bigger striped bass. The Mystic River Park provides good fishing access to the river.

Adjacent to Shaffer’s is the Mason’s Island causeway. This little bridge offers some good schoolie striped bass fishing, with a bit more serenity than the often busy downtown area. Shaffer’s extends free parking to those fishing on the platform.

Jim Meacham and Rick Heroux, Griswold, landed and released nearly twenty striped bass up to 36”on Monday, May 18th. They were fishing just south of Valient Rock, in the Race. Diamond Jigs were outfishing the bucktails that day.

Take this pre-season time to tune up your gear. New line, check your rod tips, and lube your reels. If you can’t wait until June, go trout fishing.

Shaffer’s Bait and Tackle

106 Mason’s Island Road
Mystic, CT

860.536.8713

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by Sam Mazzotta

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My dog “Kip” is really friendly and wouldn’t harm a fly. When I take him out for walks he likes to go right up to people and sometimes jumps up on them for a friendly pat. But last week, this woman yelled at me, telling me to watch out or she would call animal control! What was her problem? — Keri in Worcester, MA

DEAR KERI: Honestly, the problem wasn’t hers — it’s yours. I’m sure Kip is a wonderful dog and just as friendly as you say. The trouble is, people on the street don’t know that. They just see a dog running up and jumping on them, and they’re not sure of Kip’s intent.

A great many people are terrified of dogs, Keri. It’s no laughing matter, either — most of those who are fearful of dogs had some traumatic event in their past. But even if they don’t fear them, just the sight of a strange dog charging at them can incite a fearful reaction.

It’s also an invasion of people’s privacy — their personal space — and just bad etiquette all around to allow your dog to jump on them.

As Kip’s owner, it’s your responsibility to control his behavior. The older he gets and the more he’s allowed to run up and jump on people, the harder it is to train him out of it. And you need to train him out of this behavior, pronto.

I recommend that you sign up for behavior training classes as soon as possible. Attend these sessions with Kip, listen closely to the instructor and follow his or her advice.

Remember that pets are a part of our community, and like every other member of a community they must follow some rules in order for everyone to get along. It’s up to you to show Kip how to behave on his daily walks.

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by Jessica Warzeniak

On Tuesday, May 12, the stage in Mohegan Sun Arena was transformed into an international tour of romantic and popular music by the fabulous foursome, Il Divo.

Il Divo is the blending of three opera singers from the US, Spain, and Switzerland and one French pop singer. The group was brought together by the one and only Simon Cowell, most well known as the critical judge on American Idol. Il Divo is Italian for “star” and is composed of singers Carlos Marín, Urs Bühler, David Miller, and Sébastien Izambard.

The lights went down and the orchestra began to play something familiar, a hint of Mariah Carey and Celine Dion that set the tone for the night. Four shadowy figures appeared at the top of the staircase that was the center of the stage. “There’s a place for us/ Somewhere a place for us/ Peace and quiet and open air/ Wait for us somewhere,” they sang the memorable song “Somewhere” from the musical West Side Story. The crowd erupted with applause.

Throughout the night, Il Divo sang in Italian, Spanish, and English, including Spanish renditions of Toni Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart,” Mariah Carey’s “Without You,” and Celion Dion’s “Power of Love.”

They came back for two encores: “Amazing Grace” a favorite among Il Divo’s fans, and “The Impossible Dream” from the musical Man of La Mancha. They sang “The Impossible Dream” as a symbol of how far they have come on their own journeys with Il Divo.

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