Making It Count!

During the presentation on laughter at the Reading Library, I ended by reciting from "Paradox of our Times," attributed to George Carlin but actually written by Dr. Bob Moorehead. One of the lines really resonates: "We've learned how to make a living but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years." What do you think? Do you make a living or a life? Is there truly life in your years or are you just passing time, completing your next task?

Life is stressful and certainly not easy. I'm sure we all would try to really "live" if we only had the time. But with all of today's conveniences, one has to wonder how far we've come from our ancestors. I can't imagine growing up without indoor plumbing or electricity or even a cell phone, for that matter. How about going for groceries by horse and buggy? While life is still far from perfect in 2011, we certainly have it better than our ancestors did.

But how far have you really come? We may only get one chance on this earth - are you "making it count" as Jack Dawson (Leo DiCaprio) toasted in Titanic, the movie? His character had spirit and insight that energized you, and many of us immediately fell in love with him or rather what he represented - love of life.

You find your center once you understand what is truly important in life. You learn to let go more easily and give more deeply. You don't need long-term therapy or medicine to make this happen. This is why I created Ever After. Although people visit with me to examine a particular concern, we also focus on discovering who they are - on making it count and making a life. Take some time to examine what is important to you, your family or friends. You may be surprised at the outcome. When you remember you only go around once, your priorities change.

I am especially excited about adding several "Themed Visits" to Ever After's repertoire, including Fairy Godmother (for parents wanting to consult about their kids); Sleeping Beauty (for the shy or reserved hoping to awaken their passion & path); Put Me in, Coach! (for those feeling pressured to always score in life, wanting to learn skills to ease fear, doubt, or anxiety); and Little Red in the Hood (for the rebels hoping to reconnect with parents or even themselves). These sessions focus on a particular concern with personalized suggestions on how to improve it as well as help you discover your center and purpose. No meds, no diagnosis, no long-term therapy, no stigma attached for asking for help - just empowerment, compassion, sanctuary, and inspiration. Very unconventional in 2011! Now that is living!

Laugh for Health's Sake!

Laughter truly is life's best medicine. From releasing endorphins (natural painkillers) to improving blood flow to relaxing muscles and even easing anxiety and fear, there is nothing like a good laugh to make you feel better. Kids somehow already know this and master laughter pretty well. They laugh at things most adults roll their eyes at or try to stifle so they can remain an "adult". But I've got to ask - is that really working for us wiser and older individuals?

There is something to be said about finding the humor in bad situations. It doesn't take away the pain of the event but it certainly helps us cope and face the days ahead. When facing a tough week, consider flipping in a mindless, silly movie into your DVD player before you go to bed. Something with Mel Brooks, Monty Python, Eddie Murphy, or Will Ferrell - you get the picture. And allow yourself to actually laugh out loud, not just on the inside. Then see how you feel in the morning.

That's the thing - when we write LOL or LMAO after our Facebook posts or texts, how many of us are really laughing aloud? You're probably like me in that we smile then go on to the next structured part of our day. Now, I'm not saying to act like a lunatic at work laughing hysterically in your cubicle so everyone in the office will be thinking you need medical attention. But I am asking to truly consider laughing aloud several times within your day because it is truly GOOD for you!

We're going to have some fun on this Tuesday night at the Reading Public Library with my talk all about laughter, including funny video clips. I truly hope you'll join us. There is nothing like a laugh from down deep inside to lighten life's load. Here's a sample of something totally ridiculous to get you on the track to feeling better and reducing the stress we all feel in life. Hope you can take just under 2 minutes out of your day and hopefully laugh aloud with this PG-13 clip!

Living Happily Ever After

When interning at Hospice over 10 years ago, I thought Ever After would be a great name for my practice one day. I love the way fairy tales end - "and they lived happily ever after". It's just that we can't live "happily" all the time. If we didn't know sadness, we wouldn't understand happiness, right? So Ever After - sometimes happy, sometimes not so much - made sense.

I'm often asked how to help others feel better about unfortunate situations. Gratitude truly helps fill the soul. Feeling thankful for great people in our lives, for those who make us laugh and smile. Feeling fortunate about the positives in your life - what you're good at, what works, what has gone well. Being thankful for having had the chance to know and love people in our lives who have passed on - they have become part of us and helped shape us into who we are.

Too often we don't embrace our strengths enough. We put ourselves down and allow others to make us feel bad about our differences. Or we live for others, putting ourselves last and caring for their needs before any of our own. We fall into these roles, like old slippers - they feel comfortable, so we let them be.

As spring and a time of renewal enters your life, think about your positive attributes and what you are thankful for in your life. Then ask yourself what else might make you happy, what might fill your soul and put a spring in your step. Helping others always feels good. Yet, helping ourselves is equally important. Find that wish list and make a plan, even just one. As we mentioned last March, think about your life as a chapter book. Isn't it time to live happily ever after in this particular chapter?

Laughter is equally as important as gratitude to keep you smiling. On Tuesday, March 22nd at 7pm, join me at the Reading Public Library as I complete the Winter Wellness Series, "Live, Love, Laugh" with a FREE program dedicated to laughter, truly life's best medicine. Laugh with us as I share stories and video clips that reduce stress, tickle our funny bone, and touch the heart. Living happily ever after is in your future - embrace it, believe, and make it happen!