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Image provided by: Suffolk Cooperative Library System
mab & TQ 00 e a His 'positive thinking' combats DWI recidivism Jim Ryan, who counsels convicts, is writing a book exploring 'the art of happiness' BY ELISE PEARLMAN Five years ago. in an effort to \give something back\ to the greater Long Island community, Jim Ryan happened upon on a vocation that changed his life and the lives of others in ways he never imagined. \Brother Jack\ Moylan, director of prison ministry for the Archdiocese of Rockville Centre told Ryan about the Suffolk County Sheriff's Jail DWI Alternative Facility in Yaphank. With the control of their lives. Ryan said that perhaps his most inspi- rational talk is one in which he asks the men to envision themselves at a testimo- nial dinner 20 years from now and to reflect upon how they would want to be remembered. The talk always ends with a round of applause, he said, because the exercise offers the men a new vision of - who they want to be. Ryan said that the positive response he has received from his clients at the DWI goal of combat- facility encour- ing driving while aged him \to take intoxicated his message to (DWI) recidi- f , I Movers the public.\ Ryan vism, men and ‘ ‘ rm wrote to libraries women with | a Shakers throughout Long multiple convic- tions spend one to four months in the dormitory-style facility where they are evaluated, super- vised and counseled as part of a correc- tonal treatment program. Ryan was recruited as a volunteer for the facility in 2000. Guided by his belief that \our thoughts determine our actions,\ he developed a 10-week course for per- sonal development aimed at helping male offenders reorient their lives, set positive goals, and create a better self-image. One of the weightier issues involves helping clients deal with the guilt that offenders may feel for having injured someone and for afflicting pain on their own families. By conceptualizing the past as \a wake left by a boat\ with the poten- tial for undermining the present, Ryan offers the men strategies for regaining Island and was hired to give a motivational speech that he calls \The Art of Happiness.\ The subject is one that he continues to share with clents at the DWI facility. Ryan has written two other related speeches and he estimated that he has delivered the three talks to over 100 audi- ences during the past few years. \Folks are as happy as they want to be,\ Ryan said, emphasizing his belief that, to a great extent, happiness is a choice. It is his belief that \Little turns in consciousness\ gradually lead to great strides in terms of our perspective on life. Adding that \life is not a dress rehearsal,\ he teaches people to live in the moment with a greater sense of joy and fulfillment. In order to live \the life of your dreams,.\ Ryan said that it is important to Jim Ryan unplugged, during a gathering last month in Northport. set material and personal goals. Ryan cited a study that stressed the importance of concretizing goals. Findings revealed that Harvard University graduates who had set written goals had an income that was three times higher than graduates who did not do so. At the same time, Ryan said, it is important to consider a person's \spiritu- ality,\ the part of us that we don't see. He stressed volunteering as a means of expanding this part of our nature. Ryan noted that three or four of the men he has counseled at the DWI facility show up routunely at his Lhbrary talks Ryan recently elaborated on the \art of happiness\ during a new Northport com- munity gathering called Consciousness in the Courtyard. While discussing the eight G characteristics of happy people. he point- ed to the possibility of \recasting\ diffi- - cult situations so that they yield hidden opportunities. He also noted that too often people don't take the time to \Follow their bliss\ or pursue the activities that bring them pleasure. Ryan is president of the Rotary Club of Northport. A five- year member of this phi- lanthropic organization. he enjoys the camaraderie of \other community service- minded individuals who like to rame money and give it away\ The local Rotary helps fund Gift of Life International, Inc.. an organization dedi- cated to providing life-saving hear surgery to critically i#l, indigent children from other countries. Rotary also provides scholarships to needy students locally and supports the Ecumenical Food Pantry of Northport, The Place -- which is a coun- seling center in Northport - and the Family Service League. Ryan, a resident of the Northport-East Northport area for 32 years, says hus approach to life's challenges enhances his performance as an independent financial planner for LPL Financial Services. The listening and counseling skills that he has developed have proven instrumental in assessing clients' risk tolerance and help- ing them set investment goals. Ryan is in the process of writing a book Continued on page A6 & <* bo ts] r and * tior port Ni¥ 1768 Phone 64+ 26! \306 wwrn.visitingnurseservice.org MAKING A DIFFERENCE EVERYDAY 1 WMM Service & Hospice of Suffolk held its Annual anteer and former President of the Board of - ' Administration Hespise ~ & Home Care +0! Laza hoa: « 505 Mon Street fast Northport HY 50 C Phone 631 930,079 - Apate 6454 +41 9384/86 - riorue . are c stb AlE \baser ' 4) 50 horas ae ta 640 26° 48% faa +\ #4528 |_ Golf. Classic on August Ist to honor Jay Walsh, longtime: From lelt to right: Linda Taylor, Executive Director, Visiting N Seruce & Hospice of Sulfa; lay Walsh, event honoree and Ralph Lambert. Board President, Visisng Nurse Service & Hospice of Sullolic
