Bonjour!
Time magazine declared stress the epidemic of the
1980’s and, in the past 20 years, our lives haven’t
gotten much slower, have they? The equation of trying
how to figure out how to do more with less, be faster,
leaner and more productive can weight heavily upon us
and our lives can start to resemble one of those crazy
math word problems that drove me crazy in school…..
"Two trains are headed toward each other on a route
that is 350 miles long. One train goes 110 mph,
while you are making peanut butter and jelly
sandwiches for lunch, but leaves 20 minutes earlier
while your daughter, Abby, practices her clarinet at
the same time your sons are fighting in the living
room - concurrently, you are trying to mentally
prepare for your large presentation in the morning
and figure out how (given the time, space, distance
continuum) you are going to be able to go to the
school for a conference, pick up the dry cleaning,
make dinner, do homework, interview candidates for
babysitting and finish laundry before the 24 hour
period
(we call a day) is finished. How long after you check
into the "happy ward" will the trains traveling 110
mph pass each other?"
Do you want a solution for "x" in the stress equation
of life? Try a little humor! Humor is like a helicopter
that takes us up above our problems so we can get
the perspective we need to see them for what
they truly are. Three simple things you can do today to
solve for "x" are:
1. Find a Humor Buddy! A humor buddy is that person
that raises your spirit no matter what kind of mood you
are in. A smile, a quick
joke, or just a willing ear is what they are known for. I
am luckier than most because I am married to my humor
buddy. For 20 years my wife, Lara, has made me
laugh!
2. Check out something from your Humor Library!
When you're down, stressed, or feeling "BLAH", watch a
movie that makes you laugh, read a book that tickles
you, or practice telling that joke that always makes you
giggle. There are tons of internet sites you can
subscribe to for a "joke a day."
3. SMILE! Smiling is the catalyst for all of the positive
emotions. Want to feel better quickly? Lift your head
up and smile. To practice, take a pencil and place it
horizontally in your mouth so that the sides are in
each corner. Now bite down gently and show some
teeth. Look in the mirror and practice, practice,
practice! Fake it until you make it - your brain won't
know the difference. A smile is the quickest way to
shift your "ho hums" to "ho ha's!"
It may seem at times that the equation seems
unsolvable - everyone steps into that spiral of stress
from time to time. Step out of the spiral, get perspective,
and solve for "x" with the 3 small steps I have
suggested. I don't think that there has ever been a more
appropriate time to solve for "x" and live a happier,
healthier, life. Do you?
For more tips on positive living, visit my blog, send me
an email and I will forward a free copy of my "Be-
Attitudes." Step up, stand out and STAY GOLD!!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"Carpe Diem! Rejoice while you are alive; enjoy the
day; live life to the fullest; make the most of what you
have. It's later than you think."
- Horace (65 - 8 B.C.)
Keep laughing, leading, rockin', and connecting!
- Chip
