Wanna be more creative?

Creativity! The word practically crackles and sparkles when you say it. And even better, one of the best ways to "get creative" is through humor and laughter.

I'm sure of this. For the past week I've been up to my ears reviewing research on the subject for a five-day humor/creativity workshop I'm conducting at the Chautauqua Institution called "Belly Laugh Your Way To Your Aha! Moment."

I say "Chautauqua" with reverence. It's an amazing teaching and learning place in Western New York, teeming with period architecture, quaint summer cottages, a mind-bending schedule of lectures, performances, and - oh, yes - one crazed woman from Ohio running around in a Dr. Seuss hat.

"Is the place really ready for bubbles and clown noses?" I asked my friend Amy, also a certified laughter leader.

"Absolutely!" she said. Never mind that Amy says Absolutely! more freely than anyone I know.

"Am I really ready?" I've asked myself. "Leading laughter just weeks after losing my husband?" Part of me feels squeamish; part says Absolutely! He'd love it. So I've decided to try. Wish me luck.

Research had little to do with the decision, but for those who wonder, research does show that those who've listened to a humorous recording right before taking a creativity test score better than those who don't. Those who watched a funny movie just before.writing cartoon captions write better ones. So if common sense isn't enough, let the research, now in a special place on my web page, convince you to lighten up and become more creative at tackling life's challenges, including balancing your life and living with loss.

It can work. I'm sure. Absolutely!

Pat

Fun Stuff To Try...

One of the best parts about putting together a workshop is trying out new exercises. Here are a couple we'll be doing at the new Belly Laugh:

Seuss-ify your problems. There's no one like Dr. Seuss for creating wacky rhymes, wacky characters, and wacky words. Who wouldn't giggle at a dilemma that's been Seuss-ified? And what better way to prime that brain for solving a problem than to exaggerate your dilemma and present it as Dr. Seuss would have?

Do the opposite. Are you a Seinfeld fan? The show's been off the air for awhile, but what Seinfeld lover can forget the time George Costanza decided to overcome failure by doing every single thing the opposite of the way he usually did it? Eat dessert first, but don't stop there. Take some of your other routines and turn them on your head. It will change the way you look at the world.

Book Web Page Up Now!

Thanks to the publisher, The Dog Ate My Planner now has its own web page. Although we're officially launching the book in September, it is being printed this week, and we're taking online orders already from those who have not already pre-ordered. There are even T-shirts, tote bags and mouse pads available featuring The Dog. Now you can let your friends know that your life is overbooked. As if they hadn't figured that out.

And while you're overbooking, don't forget, if you live in Central Ohio, that The Dog's launch party will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, September 13, at the Lavash Caf� in Clintonville.

Leash Law No. 7: Getting Things Done

At the risk of simply adding to the stress, may I suggest a "dump list"? It's a hastily written list to dump those special projects to be tackled. For example, cleaning out the kitchen junk drawer or hall closet. Keep it handy when you're planning your day, and try to work in a small one every week, to be rewarded by - oh, I don't know - something they sell at Dairy Queen?

Thank you, thank you

Finally, much thanks to all who responded to last month's newsletter with expressions of sympathy and kindness over my husband's recent death. If you've been following The Dog Journal, you know I've been journaling about the grief experience, which teaches many lessons in what's important and how we plan our time. If you have grief wisdom you'd like to share with others, I encourage you to share it there.