I met Rick Gabrielly during an online event organized by my good friend Lana Jelenjev. We had a great conversation in one of the zoom break-out rooms and decided to connect and set up a new virtual coffee. That was 2 years ago. Since then, we have had several virtual coffees and learned about his life, family, and business. Now I feel he is part of my extended family.
Soon I realized that this is his magic; he can create meaningful relationships with the people in his life. Now imagine how it would be to be able to have that in your entrepreneurial life: meaningful relationships to help you grow as a human and as a business person.
This is why I decided to invite him to share with us what motivates him and how he can build these relationships. Below he is sharing a very emotional and personal story as well as tips on how to achieve it.
I remember running into the hospital emergency room entrance, my heart pounding with terror. Even today when I close my eyes, I can still hear my mother and sister screaming, “Noooooooo.”
It was around 11:15pm on Thursday night August 6th, 1981. And it was the night my life would change forever.
My father had just had a sudden heart attack at the age of 53 years old. And he was dead.
I was only 19 years old and had just completed my freshman year of college.
My GPS was gone. No more guidance. No more direction. The feeling of emptiness left me in shock. I was so alone.
This feeling would last about five years.
During that time, I tried everything to fill the void. I tried filling it with drugs, alcohol, debt, undesirable people, staying up all night, driving too fast, tuning out, avoiding responsibility, and anything else I could do to stop the pain and quiet the voices.
Nothing worked. Especially taking advice from others. I was not interested.
Then one night in March of 1986, after getting my mail, I opened a letter from my High School Biology teacher, Noel Haskell.
Let me preface this by telling you I failed miserably the first time I took him for Biology in tenth grade. After being urged by my school guidance counselor Mrs. Gira to take a different teacher for Biology the following year, I told her I wanted to be in Mr. Haskell’s class again. She thought I was insane. For some reason, I had an inner knowing that this was the right path.
In his letter, Uncle Booksie, as we affectionately called him, said he heard from some of my friends that I was struggling a bit, and he offered to bring me to a rehab center near his home and that this could be between him and I. Nobody else needed to know. And he offered to pay for it.
It was as if a switch was flipped in my heart.
At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. Something I had not felt since August 5th, 1981.
A voice inside me said, “You are valuable, Rick. You are loved.”
I felt connection for the first time in five years.
I felt the lifesaving power of connection.
That letter and the resulting sobriety began a spiritual journey that I’m still on today. My life was saved, and I still don’t know how, but I do know why.
Uncle Booksie and I never spoke about the letter.
I began to live a life of purpose. I saw clearly and felt whole again. Gratitude was the only thing I felt each day.
You may say it was a miracle, but I now know it’s divine connection.
I’ve devoted my life to helping others uncover, cultivate, and celebrate their gifts and the gifts in those around them.
Connection is the main theme of my work and I’ve seen its power firsthand.
In a strange twist of fate, 11 years later, while bodysurfing with Uncle Booksie in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, he hit his head on a sandbar and became instantly paralyzed. As I looked around at the shore after coming in on my wave, I did not see him anywhere.
Then as I looked out further, I could see his body floating face down in the waves. I swam out and carried his lifeless body to shore. Paramedics resuscitated him and brought him back to life.
That night, as I knelt by his bedside, I held his hand. As I leaned in, tears streaming down his face, I whispered, “Now we’re even. You saved my life, now I saved yours.”
He made a full, miraculous recovery, living another 15 years with joy and wonder. We enjoyed many wonderful times together and created many memories all grounded in connection.
We never spoke about the letter or the beach rescue. We simply lived in gratitude, celebrating the lifesaving power of connection.
How can you translate my story into actionable steps? Here are three tips to help you do just that.
Tip #1: Remember, Connection is Vital
In fact, it can be lifesaving. Always know that the simplest outreach will change that person’s path. You bring light to everyone you touch. Trust that little voice inside you.
Tip #2: Don’t wait ‘til tomorrow
Call, text or write today. In fact, do it right now. Timing is essential. Think about how valuable it would be when you are down if a special someone was there at just the right moment to support you? Do it now.
Tip #3: Lead with your heart
This is a time in history for each of us to choose love over fear. You don’t need to think about this. No planning is necessary. Close your eyes. Imagine seeing your person and then breathe. Get centered, add a heartfelt wish and deep intention for this contact. This connection is from your heart.
Perhaps there is someone in your life who reminds you of Uncle Booksie. Will you do me a favor and reach out to them today? Not to talk about anything specific, but simply to connect.
You might even save their life.
Rick Gabrielly is a passionate husband, father, coach, author, podcaster and American Wellness Entrepreneur. His limitless enthusiasm, love of technology, and exploration of energy medicine inspires and motivates others.
By choosing LOVE over fear, Rick creates an environment of high-vibration, light-filled possibilities to help others uncover, cultivate and celebrate their own unique gifts, as well as the gifts in those around them.
Rick Gabrielly is the COO & Visionary of Scarsdale Dental Spa & Wellness for the past 27 years. Along with Carol, his wife, they are Independent Distributors & Group Leaders for BEMER Group USA and co-authors of The Currency of Connection. Rick is in Regional Leadership with Master Networks, and is a speaker, author, educator and the co-host of the runaway hit podcast, The Road Ahead Cafe. To connect with Rick visit https://app.elify.com/vbc/xxa3o04dmm.
This article is a collaboration between Veronica Guguian from Spin Ideas and Rick Gabrielly to provide our readers with the right tools to grow their businesses.
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