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IN SEARCH OF THE MAGIC TREE…The 5 Secrets

One of my first books that came out in 1995 was called Diamond in the Rough. It was based on the top traits of high achievers ranging from business leaders, top entertainers, sports legends, to inventors and brain surgeons. I created an audiobook, radio and tv show around the title and was relentless in bringing the book to the biggest direct sales teams in the country ranging from Mary Kay to Amway. Many of them had the goal of each rep becoming a diamond. So that was why I titled the book… Diamond in the Rough. The book became an international best-seller in multiple languages and has been the inspiration for the foundation of my children’s book, The Adventures of Little Billy… IN SEARCH OF THE MAGIC TREE.

Each of the animals in the story have Barry Farber been given the essential traits of the key chapters in Diamond in the Rough. Here are a few of the traits that have become the 5 Secrets in The Adventures of Little Billy that can be applied in our everyday lives:

Lawrence the Owl

(Lawrence’s Secret: Service)

“Help all the animals that you see, and you shall find The Magic Tree.”

I think the Owl and Zig Ziglar both agree that our rewards in life are in direct proportion to our service. “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” Bosco the Bear

(Bosco’s Secret: Attitude)

“Give a smile to all you see, and you shall find The Magic Tree.”

It’s not just my opinion that attitude is essential for success. A study conducted by Harvard Business School determined that four factors are critical for success in business; information, intelligence, skill, and attitude. When these factors were ranked in importance, this particular study found that information, intelligence, and skill combined amounted to 7% of business success, and attitude amounted to 93%! What is true for business is also true for our lives—Attitude is overwhelmingly one of the most important factors to success. Sheba the Wolf

(Sheba’s Secret: Courage)

“Be as brave as you can be, and you shall find The Magic Tree.”

There are many definitions of courage. They have to do with mental and moral strength to resist danger or hardship—firmness of mind and will in the face of extreme difficulty—and the capacity to meet adversity with fortitude and resilience. My favorite definition of courage is “readiness to deal with things fearlessly by reason of stouthearted temperament or a resolute spirit.”

Ruppert the Toad

(Ruppert’s Secret: Empathy)

“Look on the inside of those you see, and you shall find The Magic Tree.”

“The nature of humanity, it’s essence, is to feel another’s pain as one’s own, and to act to take that pain away. There is nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness.” -John Connolly Sherman the Turtle

(Sherman’s Secret: Determination)

“Never give up on a dream that could be, and you shall find The Magic Tree.”

“The miracle, or the power, that elevates the few is to be found in their industry, application, and perseverance under the promptings of a brave, determined spirit.” -Mark Twain

The Secrets that Little Billy discovers on his adventure seem like common sense to many of us, but then again common sense isn’t so common. We all just need a little reminder of what’s important and the Magic will be there.

The Adventures of

“IN SEARCH OF THE MAGIC TREE”

Written By Barry Farber

Illustrated By Glen A. Schofield

Color Transformation By Shoshanna Sommer “As we prepare for the fall season and its many wonders, we look forward to enjoying the beautiful foliage, holidays, and family fun. You should never be at a loss for something to do with all the events that have become staples of the season in Essex County. We invite you to come out and enjoy these fall activities.”

– JOSEPH N. DIVINCENZO, JR.

Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., Essex County Executive, The Board of County Commissioners and The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Present Essex County Strut Your Mutt Canine Costume Parades & Contests

Saturday, October 23 Registration: 9am ~ Parade: 9:30am Essex County Brookdale Dog Park, Grove Street, Montclair

Saturday, October 23 Registration: 1pm ~ Parade: 1:30pm Essex County Grover Cleveland Park, Brookside Avenue, Caldwell

Sunday, October 24 Registration: 10:30am ~ Parade: 11am Essex County Branch Brook Dog Park, West Drive near Heller Parkway, Newark

Essex County Gardens Aglow

Friday, October 29 from 6-9pm

Essex County Presby Memorial Iris Gardens 474 Upper Mountain Avenue, Upper Montclair

Howl-o-ween at Essex Turtle Back Zoo

Sunday, October 31 from 4-8pm

Essex County Turtle Back Zoo 560 Northfield Avenue, West Orange Admission: $3 for Zoological Society of NJ members; $5 non-members

Essex County Riker Hill Art Park Fine & Decorative Arts Open Studios and Sale

Saturday, November 6 & Sunday, November 7 from 11am-5pm

Essex County Riker Hill Art Park, 284 Beaufort Avenue, Livingston

See a complete list of events at: www.essexcountynj.org Putting Essex County First

The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system established in the United States. The Park System consists of more than 6,000 acres and has 23 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, five off-leash dog facilities, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens.