Press Release

              About the Speaker/Author:

With more than 25 years of experience in the media industry, Rich Seiber is a savvy and entertaining speaker. He has been a featured speaker for many notable organizations such as the Sacramento March of Dimes, International Day of Prayer, Sweet Home Evangelical Church, Corban University, Associations for Christians in Student Development and the Sutter Health Office of the General Counsel. His fundraising keynote address resulted in an increase in donations of more than $57,000 for the March of Dimes from the previous year. He has inspired audiences by speaking on such topics as:

 

1. One pro-life family, two separate journeys.
2. How the church can minister to special needs families.
3. God still performs miracles today, my son is proof.
4. Involve God in your successful weight loss and keep the pounds off!
5. Raise your child to be a media savvy Christian.
6. Be an encouragement expert.

 

For 7 years Rich served as a PBS television reporter and producer for national and statewide programming. You may recognize him for his starring role in a dozen television commercials and he delighted audiences as a radio disc jockey for stations such as KFIR and KFOX. His writings about his son and family have been featured in national publications and Web sites such as Yahoo, Football Nation, Mysterious Ways and Life Support. He has been the featured guest on numerous broadcast programs such as Good Day Sacramento, The Andrea Shea King Show, Real Christianity, 103.9 The Fish “Encouraging Story of the Day,” and 106.5 The End “Public Affairs.” Rich has Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in Communication. Active in his home congregation, Bayside Church, Rich has been a volunteer for their Serve Day and Trunk or Treat ministries. For 5 years he served on the Board of Directors and was elected Board Secretary for a pro-life ministry, Pregnancy Support Group.  Rich has a steadfast faith in God and loves to speak and write about his faith and family. He is a devoted husband and father of 1 very awesome special needs son.

 

Rich has also written three books: two novels, The Homeless Informant and Box Office Betrayal and a devotional about his inspiring special needs son’s miraculous story: Parker’s Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism.

All books available at Amazon in ebook and paperback form:

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=rich+seiber

or contact the author directly, rich_seiber@yahoo.com, 916-296-4647

 

Guys and Greeting Cards: 5 Writing Tips for Men

This article was originally purchased by and published for Yahoo.com


Something came in the mail this morning that brightened my day. It was a card from my mom. She is retired, living in Florida. She doesn't own a computer, and there are no teenagers around to teach her to text, so if she wants to write a message, she has to do it the old fashioned way.


According to Hallmark, she is not alone. More than 5 billion greeting cards were purchased and distributed in 2010. That's 5 billion days that were brightened. I wonder how many of them were sent by men? Well,  the Greeting Card Association says 80% of their products are purchased by women.


I've probably written more than 12,000 cards in my life. People say that in the age of cell phones and email, handwritten notes are becoming a thing of the past. I hope not. In a violent world with a tough economy, we need all of the encouragement we can get. Still, it is odd to some people when they get a personal, handwritten note from me, a man. Men don't write notes. Well, this one does. Always have. It is just something I enjoy doing. And not just thank you notes, but notes of encouragement or praise as well. In our 14 years of marriage, my wife has saved every greeting card, love poem and thank you note I have ever written her. She's on storage box number three now. On the average, I craft at least one handwritten note per day. I find it helps me relax, takes the focus off of me, and makes me think about others. I would highly recommend it, especially if you are a male. Hand write a note to someone and shock them.


In the Bible we are admonished to "encourage one another and build one another up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). A written note is one of the easiest and more personal ways to do just that.


Lately, I have added a new twist to my note writing. I don't just write a quick note of encouragement or birthday wish. After the original purpose of the note is accomplished, I continue to write about our family and individual lives. What my son is doing in school; what is challenging at work; what trips we have planned. This way the note becomes more like a full-length letter. And it becomes more personal. It is my way of attempting to invest more time in the process and in the person receiving the note.


Proverbs 16:24 says, "Kind words are like honey -- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." This verse inspires me (and maybe you). An encouraging note can be a spiritual and physical blessing to the recipient. Let's be men (and women) who are the givers of blessings!


If you are not like me, inclined to write an encouraging note or card at the drop of the hat, here are some tips on how to get started.


1. Be Mindful. Mark on your calendar or phone or have your personal assistant keep track of special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. These special occasions are the easiest and most reliable reasons to send a card. It is always appropriate and appreciated!


2. Be Thankful. If your associate helps you land that new account, it would be poor business etiquette not to say thanks. But why stop there? Write it out. If your neighbor knows your busy and mows your side lawn for you, buy him a six pack and attach a thank you note. You should say, "Thank you," but you can write it as well.


3. Be Romantic. This is the same concept as number two above, just write to your spouse or significant other instead of your business partner. Whether she is ironing your dress shirt or ironing out your problems with the cable company so you don't have to, write her a note. Believe me, it pays dividends.


4. Be Brief. Yes, I know I wrote that I try to make the card into a full-fledged letter. But I am a professional. I have been doing this for years. You can grow into that. If you are just getting started, keep it simple. One or two lines will do. "Thanks for your help on the project. It was a pleasure working with you."


5. Be Persistent. Think of writing notes like exercising a muscle. It can be painful and awkward at first. It takes time before it feels right and you are using it correctly. Once you get some practice with your pen, you'll definitely be doing the write stuff.

Quote of the Day - Watty Piper

"I think I can, I think I can." The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper

181.7

181.7 is today's weight. That is 7/10 of one pound less than yesterday. Amen! All of the walking from our early Mother's Day outing to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom yesterday helped a ton. I tried not to overload on water and liquids and that helped keep the water weight gain to a minimum. I did splurge yesterday with a giant chocolate cookie at the theme park and still managed to lose weight. So I am grateful. Thank you Jesus for a blessed day and weight loss to boot!

Review: The Beach House

Disclosure: I have ALWAYS loved Hallmark Hall of Fame (HHOF) movies, including the commercials. Even they make me cry. So the fact that I enjoyed the latest HHOF entry The Beach House is not that surprising. The reason why I liked it so much did catch me off guard. My favorite part of this television movie was the luminescent and endearing Minka Kelly. I had heard of this actress before but this is the first thing I ever remember seeing her in. I was captivated by her smile, her heart and her performance. She carries the film and I will look forward to seeing her in other projects. Chad Michael Murray does a decent job as her ex-, and soon to be again, boyfriend. I believed they could be a couple and their chemistry was subtle but genuine. The weakest link in the cast was the most well-known star, Andie McDowell. Her performance as Kelly's dying mother was uneven. Her energy level, along with her accent, fell flat in key moments. I didn't dislike her, she just didn't light up the screen with star power like her co-stars. The plot isn't overly exciting or involved. It's predictable, low key and easy to follow. Of course there is plenty of family drama, as there is in most HHOFs. And that is their hallmark, if you will. The emotional dynamics bring on the tears and lead right into a schmaltzy but effective Hallmark card commercial that leads to more tears. If that is what you are longing for, this TV movie won't disappoint.

 

Quote of the Day - Toby Mac

"Raise your thoughts a little higher. Use your words to inspire.
Joy will fall like rain, when you speak life with the things you say." – Speak Life sung by Toby Mac  

182.7

182.7 is today's weight. I'm up 8/10 of one pound. I am at 74 pounds lost overall. I ate nachos for dinner which is most likely the culprit for the weight gain. However, instead of using the entire can of turkey chili as would be standard, I only used 1/3 of it on my nachos. So that is progress. Thanks for your help in that progress Jesus.

Quote of the Day: George Matthew Adams

"There are high spots in all of our lives and most of them have come about through encouragement from someone else. I don't care how great, how famous or successful a man or woman may be, each hungers for applause." - George Matthew Adams (American newspaper columnist)

QUOTE OF THE DAY

"Nine tenths of education is encouragement." – Anatole France (French novelist)

181.5

181.5 is today's weight. I am down 1 and 8/10 of a pound. Yay. Having a bout of the stomach flu and all that comes with that in the wee hours of the morning helps with the weight loss. I did have a better day yesterday food intake-wise as well. I had high protein for dinner: my old standby of pork chops. Plus I did not overindulge in the liquids later in the day so my water retention wasn't a problem. I did have a sip of caffeinated tea in the evening and I need to avoid that. Caffeine messes with my system and alters my attitude and mood. I am back to 75 pounds lost in total. Thank you God for helping me rebound with a better day.

183.3

183.3 is my weight. Ugh. I don't understand how I could gain 2+ pounds. It did not seem like a bad diet day for me. I'm at 73 pounds lost overall. Thanks God for overall blessings in this process.

181.2

181.2 is this morning's weight. I am down 8/10 of a pound. Yay! I am still at 75 pounds lost overall. I did not drink any protein shakes today but just tried to watch my calorie intake throughout the day. I did not have a high protein dinner. So this was a non-traditional diet day in most ways but it still paid off. One thing I did do that I think helped: I did not drink all of my water intake late in the day. So I did not retain all of that water and that helped me lose weight. Thanks God for this unique and successful dieting day.

182.0

182.0 is today's weight. I am 1 and 6/10 pounds down from yesterday. I'm at 75 pounds lost overall. I ate a high protein dinner of a pork chop and I walked three times at work yesterday. Plus I did not drink liquids late so those were all helpful moves. Thanks Jesus for this weight loss blessing.

I LOVE ME SOME HALLMARK MOVIES

Last night I was watching a Hallmark movie and it hit me why they appeal to my tastes. It is the reliving of those heightened romantic moments: late night phone calls, first dates, first kiss, etc. It is fun and euphoric to relive those moments. Now as a man, there would have  been a time I was embarrassed to admit I liked Hallmark movies. But we're way beyond that now. I enjoy them, so I might as well own up to it. Plus they are wholesome and they always have a happy ending. I can watch them in front of my son and I don't have to worry about their content or language. Hallmark movies help entertain and de-stress me. I am not ashamed to admit I love me some Hallmark love story movies.

Disappointing Faith

I consider myself to be a Christian, though my faith is a disappointing part of my life. I am drawn to Christianity because I am a conservative, a traditionalist. I believe in the moral tenets of Christendom. Abortion is murder. Adultery is intrinsically harmful. Homosexuality is not what was intended. But beyond those strongly held conservative beliefs, my faith is listless. I will be the first to admit I am not one who is mature or persevering enough to be a great man of God. But in those times when I have sincerely pursued Him, in short, medium or long spurts of time, I have found Jesus to be wanting and absent and discouraging. I can't be the only one who has experienced this. When I think of walking away from my faith, which I often consider doing, I am never able to do it because I am emotionally and morally drawn back to my conservative moral beliefs. But I am never drawn back to or by a relationship with Jesus. That is a mystery I have tried to but never experienced. Faith for me has been a patriotic style feeling but never a friend.

Parker's Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recently announced that the occurrence of autism has increased in America. It used to be that 1 in 68 children in the US were on the autism spectrum. Now it is 1 in 59 children, a substantial increase.

Press Release

“Parker’s Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism"

New Release on Amazon

by Rich Seiber, Photographs by Stephanie Seiber

Born with more challenges (autism, cerebral palsy and brain malformation) than most of us will face in a lifetime, my son's perseverance and personality have made him a hero to many. Parker's Story is full of humorous and uplifting stories. Written in a devotional style it features key Bible verses and application steps on how to apply the lessons learned to your own life.

About the Author:

With more than 25 years of experience in the media industry, Rich Seiber is a savvy and entertaining communicator. For seven years he served as a PBS television reporter for national and statewide programming. In addition to his TV reporting Rich has starred in almost a dozen television commercials and delighted audiences as a radio disc jockey for stations such as KFIR and KFOX. Along with Parker’s Story: Essays on Autism and Awesometism, his writing about his son and family has been featured in national publications and Web sites such as Yahoo, Football Nation, Mysterious Ways and Life Support. Elements of Parker’s Story were highlighted on numerous broadcast programs such as Good Day Sacramento, The Andrea Shea King Show, Real Christianity, 103.9 The Fish “Encouraging Story of the Day,” and 106.5 The End “Public Affairs. “ Rich has been a featured speaker for many notable organizations such as the Sacramento March of Dimes, City of Sweet Home’s Day of Prayer and the Sutter Health Office of the General Counsel. Rich has also written two novels, The Homeless Informant and Box Office Betrayal. He has Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees in Communication. He is active in his home congregation, Bayside Church and has been a volunteer for their Serve Day and Trunk or Treat ministries. For five years he served on the Board of Directors and was elected Board Secretary for a pro-life ministry, Pregnancy Support Group.  Rich has a steadfast faith in God and loves to write about his faith and family. He is a devoted husband and father of one very awesome special needs son.

Available at Amazon as an ebook and in paperback:

https://www.amazon.com/Parkers-Story-Essays-Autism-Awesometism/dp/1542553334/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1499122585&sr=8-1&keywords=rich+seiber

or contact the author directly, rich_seiber@yahoo.com, 916-296-4647