The world's Jollytologist, continued

Photo provided by Allen Klein

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Allen Klein discussed the science behind laughing, “When we are laughing, every system in our body gets a workout.
-Our heart rate goes up, and then dips below normal again after we stop laughing which is very much like aerobic exercise.
-Our breathing gets deeper, thus bringing more oxygen to our blood and brain, helping us to think clearer.
-Sometimes we cough after or during a good laugh clearing our lungs.
And, sometimes we laugh so much and relax our muscles so much, that we pee in our pants. I guess we leak when we laugh.”

He offered advice relative to the sensitivity of making light of a situation.

In his words, “You always have to listen to the other person. Are they ready to interact with you in a playful way? Do you know them well or not? Do you know what just happened before your visit?

The best way to make light of a situation is to listen to the other person and take your clues from them. If something funny comes up in your interaction, great, you can both share a laugh together. If something sad comes up, great, you can both cry together. Don't force the laughter.”

His work offers inspiration. Allen shared, “My latest book shows people how to embrace life after a loss. It is Learning to Laugh When You Feel Like Crying. It contains the five steps for going from loss to laughter: Losing, Learning, Letting Go, Living, and Laughing.

I also have two recently published uplifting motivational books containing over 600 inspirational quotations each. They are:
Change Your Life!: A Little Book of Big Ideas, and, Inspiration for a Lifetime. All three are available in a paperback format as well as on Kindle and Nook."

You can email Allen, humor@allenklein.com and/ or visit his website.

New year resolution update, continued...

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As we watch the calendar turn, I thought it was time to touch base and tally our success or failure on New Year resolutions. First, in 2010 I felt it was appropriate for me to "roll back" my weight loss efforts and start them before the holidays so for the 2nd year in a roll, I started mine on November 1st. In 2010 I lost 8 pounds from November through January and then I proceeded to put them back on during the rest of the year. My goal was to lose 50 pounds. I FAILED! In 2011 my goals was to lose 5 pounds per month until I reach a fifty pound objective. So far, I'm passing. I lost 5 pounds in November, 5 pounds in December and I'm at 2 1/2 pounds so far for January. I believe I can continue this goal. I find myself eating a little crazy (my crazy is so much healthier than it used to be) for the first 1/2 of the month and then I get serious the 2nd half, but regardless, it is working!

My success, I believe, is my comfort level with allowing myself to fully feel hungry before I eat. I didn't really do this before. I ate when I knew I would be getting hungry, when I was bored or to feel better. This is not the case now.

Because I started my resolution in November, I was able to set another for me on January 1st. This was to quit cussing. So far, I give myself a B for my effort. If you knew me previously, I cussed quite regularly. So far, this year, a word might slip once or twice a week but I've made a big difference and it feels good!

How are you doing? Please drop me a note to talk about your success or failure. It really does help!

Using shape as a coping mechanism, continued...

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As an artist I tend to see things as shapes. Not necessarily the outer outline of an object or situation but more so the shapes of the shades and patterns that make it up. This is how I taught myself to draw. I used to turn the picture upside down so I could force myself to see a break down of shapes and then draw one small portion at a time until eventually the picture came together like a jigsaw puzzle. Perhaps this is where my “out of the box” creative thinking originated.

I think most people think of their body shape, especially in January when the word is brought up. Regardless of what you think of, the idea of the article is to help you utilize this word as a way to cope as apposed to a negative in your life.

What are you thoughts?

An adventure in paradise, continued...

Photo of Marshall provided by Marshall Lubin

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Marshall Lubin shared a bit about his life today, “I was very much influenced by the travels in my early years. I'm extremely independent, and have found only working for myself to be satisfactory. I'm very good at giving orders, not so good at taking them. Running my own Chiropractic clinic was perfect for me.”

His passion, “I currently have two, the first is sailing. Spending fourteen months on a 56' ketch sailing around the world was the experience of a lifetime. I now have sailing and the sea running through my veins. I love the water, sail on it, scuba dive under it and swim through it during the summer months. My second passion is helping others. During my early journey I saw both good and bad in the world. I saw others that were not very fortunate. On the other hand I seemed to be sent on a voyage of discovery and learning that was beyond my wildest dreams. I believe others should have those opportunities, too. So now, I blend both passions. I am a volunteer sailor with Challenged America. I help the disabled by taking them sailing on Martin 16's, a boat designed specifically for the disabled. They actually sail the boat and I help guide them.

I volunteer regularly and try to sail every two weeks, if possible. Additionally, I write an article for the monthly newsletter @ Challenged America.”

Marshall talked about his book, From Boys 2 Men, an Adventure in Paradise, “It chronicles the two-year around the world journey of two teenagers. Their adventures, surprises, conflicts and challenges, romance, incredible places and experiences could never have materialized at home.

The book is written to motivate, empower, and inspire others to do the same as I did. There's an incredible world outside the boundaries of our country, wonderful people, and exciting adventures awaiting those that dare.”

You can order his book, read more about Marshall and contact him through his website, FromBoys2Men.com.

Areas of expertise, continued...

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It's funny when you think about it, the traits I listed in the article, Mothering, Compassion and Creativity, were traits that I had with me since I can remember. If I would have just realized that these were going to be the most important to me when I was young, I'm sure I would have made a bigger impact utilizing them in the world by now. Better late than never, right!

I've been racking my brain day and night trying to figure out how to move my work forward so I can reach as many people as possible. I know there are many individuals suffering that need help. They need hope, inspiration and creative thinking to move beyond their darkness. If you know anyone who can use support, help me and reach out to them. Let's make the world a better place together. By connecting with one another, we can conquer anything!

Motivation to get up

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The article was inspired by the times I crawled into bed in the fetal position and dreaded the AM duty. Those were the days when I had to get up and fight with unethical business people most of my day. When you know your day will be filled with drama, it isn’t too motivating to get up.

When I was eventually let go from this position and after I got over the initial shock, I realized I was motivated about life again. Yes, I was overwhelmed and worried about paying my bills but suddenly I could greet the day with excitement. Instead of going back to the same miserable environment, I gambled on living my dream. It is so invigorating to fuel your dream, even during the grunt years!

Do you have fire in your belly for life? I’m not talking about ulcers, I’m talking about desire. Drop me a note and tell me about it!

Change the meaning of war, continued...

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In my article I said, "As communicated by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor in her book, My Stroke of Insight (discussed on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday), we, as part of the human species, share 99.9% of identical genetic sequences. There is only a 100th of 1% difference between us genetically speaking," and this fact really left me feeling off balance. The fact that we are so much alike and, in turn, have so little differences, but choose to fuel these differences with negative energy, is really alarming.

War starts with indifference and the lack of acceptance of such indifference. It involves ego without heart. Thoughtlessness, action without compassion for the human race. It is time to shift our thinking and to focus on how much alike we are instead of the insignificant difference.

How does Dr. Jill's information about our identical genetic sequences impact you? Share your thoughts with me, I'm interested in them!