Interview with Charles Haddad

Thoughts from the Heart
Charles S. Haddad
CharlCyn Press (1999)
ISBN 0967459702
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (8/06)

Reader Views would like to welcome Charles S. Haddad, chairman of Haddad Apparel, Inc., and author of the inspirational book “Thoughts From the Heart.” Charles is being interviewed by Juanita Watson, Assistant Editor of Reader Views.

Juanita:  Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today Charles.  Would you please tell us what “Thoughts from the Heart” is all about?

Charles HaddadCharles: This book contains essays that are about down-to-earth homespun thoughts that relate to people in all walks of life. It truly is a book that is meaningful to people of any age. The essays are uplifting in a very positive way, and are about my life’s experiences. They are everyday experiences that occur in a very natural way. You could say that they relate to many observations that I have studied over time in the way that people act. They are reminders of things that really create a better way of life for an individual. The essays give a clear and easy way to understand the realities of life.  

There are four chapters:  The first is “Getting to Know Yourself,” the second is “Getting Along with Others,” the third is “Nature and Human Nature,” the fourth is “Putting it All Together.”

The best part of the book is that it is easy reading. You can put the book down and come back to it without missing a beat.

Juanita:  What inspired you to write your book?

Charles: I wrote in a local monthly magazine called Image Magazine for about ten years. It is produced by a local family in Brooklyn, New York. Today,  the magazines are distributed to New Jersey shore communities as well. When I first started writing for the magazine, it was about seventy three pages back in 1993. Today, it uses glossy paper and is closer to 300 pages. The advertising and the articles are the reason for its success. It is a family-style magazine that has many articles about the local community, with much of the articles written by community members like myself.

I was inspired by many people that read my articles, to write the book. They really enjoyed my writing very much. I was told by the editor of the magazine that my articles were the most read articles in the magazine. I was told that many advertisers wanted their ads opposite my article.

When I started writing I had no idea what I was going to write about. I just felt motivated to write articles that would help people to understand the ideas that I had, that could be advantageous to the reader. The book is a collection of the monthly articles which I wrote.

Dr. John Mangiardi, the head of neurology at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York , was also a big influence, to the point that he volunteered to write the forward for the book. He was really a total stranger to whom I gave copies of my essays to for him to review.  I saw him a week after I had given him the articles. He was so excited by my writing that he really gave me the feeling to do the book.

Juanita: What inspired the original essays?  Why did you decide to write on these inspirational topics?

Charles: When I called the magazines editor to write for the magazine I had no idea what I was going to write about. I would guess that the subjects that I wrote about were things that were of interest to me because of prior experiences. I was really trying to help others learn from my life’s experiences. Life is all about the things that one experiences and the impact it has on us as individuals. It has been very stimulating for me as well as for my readers.

The topics I chose were topics that related to me over a lifetime. I was kind of trying to set the record straight in my mind for others to benefit from. I didn’t always agree with what other people would say about things. I had my own ideas. I made a study of the different values that life has to offer. For example, to me, family came first and everything else followed.  

I never realized that my articles were inspirational. I just wrote them as I felt them, pretty much like the feel that you have for any sport.

Juanita:  How do you divide the essays in “Thoughts from the Heart”?  What are the topics you discuss?

Charles: There are fifty-six essays, all relating to life in simple terms that give the reader a lot to think about that one can relate to. As I mentioned earlier, it is divided into four sections: “Getting to Know Yourself,” “Getting Along With Others,” “Nature and Human Nature,” and “Putting it Altogether.”

Juanita: The title of your book is very interesting.  We typically think of thoughts coming from the mind.  Can you explain your title a little further?

Charles:  I am told by my readers that my writing sounds like I am speaking to them. They would also tell me that my writing was from the heart. That is where the name of the book came from.

Juanita:  How did you compile the essays in “Thoughts from the Heart”?  What was the process that brought it all together? 

Charles: It was really a month to month thought process on my part. I would pick on a subject that would be of interest to most people, so that they could benefit from the ideas.

A lot of the essays were feelings that I had about a given subject. Some of them were from observations that I made over time. I would speak to people and get ideas that I thought would be of interest to write about.

Some essays were about actions that bothered me over time that I felt I would set the record straight for my own mind to express my feelings. Growing up in a family business was quite an experience. I did not like the idea of people trying to run my life. I liked the refreshing feeling of independence. I feel like my sons have learned this way of life from me.

Juanita: Who do you envision reading your book?

Charles: It is a book for almost everyone. I envision wonderment in the eyes of the beholder. Ideas that they will hold onto for the rest of their life that they will benefit from. The book has changed the lives of many people for the better.

Juanita:  Charles, you are a father, grandfather, husband, businessman, friend and community leader.  You have an obvious love for life.  Where does this come from?

Charles: I have been fortunate to have been exposed to many facets of life that most people will never encounter. It all began with my family business. I was pretty much born into the family business and exposed to world travel because of it. In our wholesale business I was a seller a buyer and a communicator.

I pretty much grew up with my community as it grew. It was a natural thing for me to get involved in the community that I love so much. I succeeded in community affairs due to my extensive business background and my love for keeping the peace.
I am very proud of my family and the closeness and love that we have for one another. I would say that the combination of meeting people from all walks of life made it very interesting for me. I learned how to get along with all kinds of people from many different backgrounds.

I guess you can say a lot of my success has to do with being at the right place at the right time.Life is all about experience. I believe my experience has given me much insight to enjoy people and the things around me.

Juanita:  You mentioned that you had a significant family business career that exposed you to world travel. How did meeting people from all walks of life change/form your perspective regarding people?

Charles: In order to understand people from different walks of life you have to try to understand their way of life. For example when dealing with some cultures, you have to know that they are tough to negotiate with. I learned from this that in order to expect a good deal that both sides have to give a little. I would ask for a lot and expect to get something better than the original offer. It usually worked out where we were both ready to do business and we came to an agreeable compromise.

You learn how to get along with others from experience. When I look back to the time I went to grade school, I got along with everyone because I felt that it was in my best interest. I think that I have applied this throughout life successfully.

Juanita:  Charles, what are some of the common experiences that most people encounter that you address in your book?

Charles: Just plain getting along with one another and learning to live together. I find that people are sincerely moved by what they read. People must try to find out who they are or they will forever be lost. Getting to know yourself will be helpful to many.

Many people tell me how much they love the book and that they read it over and over again. The thoughts are instilling. The effects are long lasting.

Juanita:  Why do you think your essays touch people in this way?  What is it about your writing, or what you are writing about that touches people in this way?

Charles: That’s a good question. You will have to read the book to get the answer. I believe everyone has their own perspective. I know that I write in a sensitive way that reaches people because of the subtle suggestive ways that I try to reach people. You cannot tell people what to do. You can only suggest ideas if you want to reach someone.

Juanita:  I understand that you offer inspirational advice for teens and young couples.  What are some of the most important pieces of advice you would pass on to the upcoming generation?

Charles: I find that as the worlds affairs grow with pressure daily, they affect our lives in different ways. My answer to that is, keep your eye on the ball on what is most important to you. In simple terms, try taking one day at a time.

When it comes to life in your teens, try keeping close to your family by spending more time together. Your families influence will be very important to your views on life. As a young adult you will be looking for a job and maybe marriage if the right person comes into your life. Be patient in both cases. Trying to find the right job is almost like trying to find the right marriage partner. Don’t settle until you are sure. 

Juanita:  What are some of your favorite essays that everyone should read, in “Thoughts from the Heart”? 

Charles: It depends on the topic. Everyone will relate to certain essays, depending on how much interest they may have for a subject. My favorites are” Why Change”  “Improving Your Attitude” Respect Begins at Home” “Raising Children” “People and Politics”. These are just a few that I feel will help others to better their lives.

Juanita:  Charles, what is your secret to longevity?

Charles: I guess a lot has to do with the luck of the individual and the way they think of themselves. Today’s standard is get plenty of exercise, eat the right foods, watch your weight, and have a good social life. Mixing with other people that you like will make a big difference in your outlook on life, and how much you will enjoy it. Last but not least one should have physical checkups regularly and visit the dentist twice a year. Taking care of yourself should be a priority!

Juanita:  Charles, what do you ultimately want people to understand by reading “Thoughts from the Heart”? 

Charles: I would like readers to see how much good there is to life if they have patience and understanding for others.

You might try to think of the other person and how they would feel about what you have to say before you say it. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes so that you will be more careful in what you say to others. By thinking of the next persons feelings you will have the opportunity to get your thoughts across in a way that the other person will accept.

The whole idea is to be constructive in your thought patterns by having the feelings of the next person in mind at all times.

Juanita:  Charles, how can readers find out more about you and your endeavors? 

Charles: They can log on to my web site at www.charleshaddad.com. The web site is currently under construction and should be completed by the end of December ‘06. I am currently having a second book being published. It is called “Being Happy A Day At A time.” It has some of the original essays from the first book in it. Check my website for more information in January ‘07.

Juanita:  Thanks so much for talking with us today Charles.  Do you have any last thoughts for your readers today?

Charles: The ultimate goal in life is peace of mind. Always have a positive attitude about everything you do. Remember it is you that creates the feeling that you have. It is all about attitude. Happy Reading and Keep Smiling!!!

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