SUNDAY SMILES – SONGS IN MY HEAD. . .

Yesterday I had songs in my head all day…

They sound really good in there.

I ran into one nasty taxi driver and just kept singing my songs … 

When I got out of the taxi I beamed sweetly in his direction - and told him that his mother would be ashamed of him…

He looked wonderfully horrified!

What can I tell you?  It was really fun!  Perhaps even the high point of my day. . .

Could I be getting mean in my old age… 

What do ya think?  Are you old enough to pull it off? 




If not, wait a few years –

It will come to you!






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SERIOUSLY SPEAKING – GO VIRTUAL TO BEAT THE DOG DAYS

The Romans referred to the dog days as diēs caniculārēs and associated the hot weather with the star Sirius. They considered Sirius to be the "Dog Star" because it is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major (Large Dog).

The Romans sacrificed a brown dog at the beginning of the Dog Days to appease the rage of Sirius, believing that the star was the cause of the hot, sultry weather.

Dog Days were popularly believed to be an evil time "the Sea boiled, the Wine turned sour, Dogs grew mad, and all other creatures became languid; causing to man, among other diseases, burning fevers, hysterics, and phrensies." (Brady’s Clavis Calendaria, 1813.^{[1)read more}

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS
An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas...    

Can’t take a real vacation?  Go virtual!

Try this:

Sit or lay down in a place that is comfortable for you – any place works as long as it allows you to relax.

Now close your eyes and begin to breathe really deeply – no, not somewhat deeply – really, really deeply!  Feel the rhythm of your body moving with your breath…

Now allow yourself to float away to a very wonderful place – someplace truly beautiful.

Visualize your surroundings – is the ocean nearby?  Can you hear those waves breaking on the sand – what type of scents fill the air?

Allow yourself to really disappear into your virtual vacation – Are you by yourself or with others?

If you’d like someone to join you invite them into your fantasy – this time- out belongs to you – you are totally in control!

Keep breathing – you’ll know when it’s time to come back – you’ll feel yourself smiling again. . .

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DOG DAYS OF SUMMER . . .

Ever have one of those days that feels just plain old . . . yukky?

I know, not very mature language – but you know what I mean – a day when you just don’t want to do anything.

Well, okay, not totally true.  You just don’t want to do anything you’re supposed to do!

Hanging out in a hammock with an icy cold drink, watching the ocean waves move in and out . . .


Yup, you could get behind that, right?

So what are those days about?

And how do you get through them, especially when the ocean is too far away to be more than a beautiful dream?

What do ya say?

Any brilliant ideas?



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SERIOUSLY SPEAKING – A SIX STEP PROGRAM TO AVOID INCOMING FROM LEFT FIELD!

It is believed that the expressions ‘out in left field’ and ‘from left field’’ first used in the 1930’s, were references to baseball. 

There are many explanations of why left field might signify: disoriented, out of contact with reality, nonsensical, absurd and out of the blue, but all relate to baseball’s far left field.

One possibility is that is was a reference to the Neuropsychiatric Institute located behind left field in the old West Side Park in Chicago!






 DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS
An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas...    

A SIX STEP PROGRAM TO GET OUT OF LEFT FIELD:

Forgive yourself when you get it wrong!

But learn to listen!

Yeah, you want to be open to your own experience . . .

But maybe, just maybe, when more than one  - okay maybe more than two – other people sound the alarm – it wouldn’t hurt to consider it . . .

Sure we all have histories with our parents telling us things we refused to believe . . .

But maybe, once in awhile, even they were right . . .

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HANGING OUT IN LEFT FIELD

“I didn’t see it coming,” she lamented.  “I suppose I should have. . . I mean, four different people warned me!”

“’Watch out for that guy,’ they said.”  “He’s bad news. . .”  “You can’t trust him. . .”

“But me, I totally didn’t see it coming!  And it really hurt my feelings when he treated me in such an ugly way!”

 


So, what makes us ignore warning sirens and the signs of incoming missiles?


What do ya say?  Been there?


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SUNDAY SMILES – WHAT I DID FOR LOVE: AN ACTOR’S LIFE

Remember that great song from “A Chorus Line” –

“Kiss the day goodbye and point me towards tomorrow

We did what we had to do

Don’t forget, can’t regret

What I did for love… “

Most actors have had to do their share of those ‘supporting roles’ to sustain their true love! 

Here, in his own words, are some stories from Jeffries Thaiss, a successful New York City actor, about some of the hilarious and horrifyingly resourceful ways he has been able to scrap together a living between acting gigs:

“Once I was hired to sit in a Mercedes for hours on end while the owner drove to meetings around town.  This guy refused to spend his time looking for legit parking spots and instead would park in fire lanes and bus stops, leaving me to drive around the block endlessly when the cops came!”

“Another time I found myself in a lock down psych ward holding up a cell phone to a tied-down patient’s ears so he could talk to his wife. . . No I am not making this up!”

“And then there was the time I drove a mother and her daughter from Boston to Maine at 100 MPH!  We were on deadline and the mother, screaming, “Floor it!” promised to pay for the ticket!”

“And no telling of these stories would be complete without mentioning the apartments my crew and I spent those in-between times cleaning. . . There were actually mushrooms growing from carpets and weird green things sprouting in the refrigerators!”

Jeffries and friends – all fellow actors – put together a temp company called 'The Clean Actor’s Guild'.  
Their motto:  “You need it done?  We’ll do it!” 
(Link)

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THE ART OF WAITING

Ugh!  Doctor’s offices, lines, all sorts of lines!  
Telephone calls, winning the lottery. . . (Hey – a little humor here!)

How much of your life do you think you’ve spent in this altered state of suspended animation holding your breath waiting for something to happen . . .   Yikes!





And how, pray tell, do you handle it?

And, no, screaming is usually not an option!

What do ya say?

Have any great strategies to share?




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REMEMBER TO JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR - OLD FRIENDS TAKE THE STAGE – “WHAT I DID FOR LOVE!”

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING – 4 SURE FIRE WAYS TO LOWER STRESS!

We seem to be hard-wired to react to stress with certain physiological mechanisms which create heightened awareness and help us deal with danger – up to a point.

Once upon a time, when these defense systems were ‘designed’ it is probable that the stressors came in different forms than they do today. 

In those pre-historic days it is very likely that dangers were immediate, with swift resolution – either the danger passed – or we did!

In today’s different world, where our stressors tend to be chronic, our stress mechanism needs conscious tweaking in order not to get overworked! 










DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS
An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas...    


STRESSFUL DAYS?  4 SURE-FIRE WAYS TO STEP IT DOWN:

Walk slowly.  Breathe deeply.  Take a moment to consider – is the level of stress you are experiencing in proportion to the stressor?

Build in time-out!  Unless you are actually being chased by tigers your chances of survival are higher if you create pockets of calm.

Remember how much better people do in the gym when they do interval training?  Create absorbing intervals that take you to other realities – a movie, a book, a dance class, a hug, a kiss - things that engage you.  Make them short term to reassure yourself that after this break you’ll get back to the job at hand.

Actually schedule your problem solving steps and your breathers.  This creates a built in sense of reassurance that you can trust yourself to take time out and still stay on track!

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THIS COMING SUNDAY – JUNE 23 – AS OLD APPROACHES 10,000 HITS . . . 

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE SECOND IN OUR SERIES:  OLD FRIENDS TAKE THE STAGE.  THIS ONE IS CALLED:  “WHAT I DID FOR LOVE!” 

HOW’S YOUR ‘STRESSABILITY’?

It was one of those days down on the farm. . . the cows weren’t giving milk, the chickens weren’t laying eggs and the weatherman was predicting hell and high water!

Okay, I was making up the farm, the cows and the chickens . . .  but the weatherman has been insane lately!
And you do know what I mean about one of those days . . .

Here’s the deal – life is stressful!  No big secret, right?

That's where 'stressability' comes in . . . The secret – or trick – is knowing – being able to feel - when you are hitting your tolerance or tipping point – and regrouping, finding a way to step it down before it goes over the top – and takes you with it!



What do ya say?  How well do you cope?




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SUNDAY SMILES – THOUGHTS FOR FATHER’S DAY

A shout-out to all you Dads out there . . .

Here’s one of our favorite videos from California’s Yosemite National Park contributed by a very special nephew Adam Kahane . . .

And some of our favorite Father’s Day quotes . . .

A father is someone who carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.

- Unknown

When my father didn't have my hand... he had my back.

- Linda Poindexter

The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.

- Tim Russert

A man knows when he's growing old because he begins to look like his father.

- Gabriel Garcia Marquez

A father is someone who is proud to see you get your first car... but secretly wishes it had no keys.

- Linda Poindexter

Have any Father’s Day stories to share? 

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

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SERIOUSLY SPEAKING – HOW TO TALK TO YOURSELF LIKE A PRO

Someone once asked Einstein how he came up with one of his famous theories.  To paraphrase:  he responded that he was sitting and staring out the window, not thinking about anything at all. . .

Self hypnotic trance states are something we easily slide into during the course of our days.  Staring out the window, listening to music, sometimes even driving! 

While formal induction techniques vary, in reality, relaxation, narrowed focus of attention, reduced awareness of the external environment and increased internal awareness can easily float us into that highly suggestible state.

These self induced trance states can be effective tools for modifying behavior and healing.


‘



DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS
An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas...    


DO YOU THINK YOU CAN . . . OR THINK YOU CAN’T?

Since it is obvious that we are often creating self hypnotic trances lets see what we can do to upgrade this influential self-talk!

Try these fun steps:

Think about some of the negative suggestions that you give yourself.  They might include:  I can’t, I never, it’s not possible for me . . . You know the list!  This is self talk of the worst kind – a constant, often not even conscious,  limiting refrain.

Now create your own Imaginary Personal Hypnotist!  Develop a character that is always available to step up and whisper positive, but realistic suggestions in your ear.

What does your IPH (Yup - Imaginary Personal Hypnotist ) look like?

Sound like?  Create a strong, rhythmic voice that you enjoy hearing.

Remember this being does not have to be human…

Now create some readily available phrases that this IPH can use on a regular basis. 

Possibles:  “You can do it!”  “Hang in there!”  “I’m with you!”  “We’re in it for the long run!”

And finally schedule some daily ‘hypnotherapy sessions’ at some of your more vulnerable moments.  These would possibly be high stress times or some of those times that you know you are ‘trancing’!

           



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SELF HYPNOSIS - TALK TO YOURSELF LIKE A PRO

Remember that wonderful children’s story, The Little Engine that Could?
For those of you too young to remember . . .  

“In the tale, a long train must be pulled over a high mountain. Larger engines . . .are asked to pull the train; for various reasons they refuse. The request is sent to a small engine, who agrees to try. The engine succeeds in pulling the train over the mountain while repeating its motto: "I-think-I-can".

The story of the little engine has been told and retold many times. The underlying theme is the same — a stranded train is unable to find an engine willing to take it over difficult terrain to its destination. 

Only the little blue engine is willing to try and, while repeating the mantra "I think I can, I think I can," overcomes a seemingly impossible task.”   read more

Did you realize it was actually published in the 1930’s?

Even waaay back then there was the realization that we strongly influence our outcomes by our “self talk”.

And no matter how you spin it, self talk is really self hypnosis in disguise!

Think about it.  How many times during the day do you program yourself with ‘I can’ or I can’t’?

What do ya say?



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SERIOUSLY SPEAKING – CAN YOU ENJOY INSOMNIA?

Insomnia can be defined as the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep as long as desired.  

To simplify this complex subject, we can divide it into four categories: chronic, acute, primary and secondary. 

Obviously if your insomnia is chronic (long term) or secondary (a by product of illness such as asthma or acid reflux or medication) you need to get your health care provider involved.  In these cases insomnia can alert you to underlying health issues!

On the other hand, episodic bouts of insomnia are usually related to stress or unfinished business that our minds are working on overtime – without overtime pay!     (read more)







DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS
An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas...    


WORKING WITH EPISODIC BOUTS OF INSOMNIA 

A useful way to think about these occasional nocturnal events is that they represent ‘unfinished business’ - left-overs from the day that your mind has not yet deconstructed and put into the appropriate mental files.

Often people attempt to fight this surge of unwanted energy – they panic and scold themselves about being awake during normal sleeping hours.  This strategy tends to be useless!

Instead:  Choose one of the following:

Open yourself up to the Muse!  

It is amazing how many famous people have used these middle of the night moments to create some of their best work!  Maybe you are about to come up with a brilliant solution for world hunger?  No?  

Something in you is working towards resolution/solution.  Relax and give it a chance.

Sing, write, draw, create the lyrics to the next best selling whatever…

Go in opposite direction and create a logical distraction based on who you are.  

What is it that distracts you in general?  

A good book?  TV?  Sudoko?  

Allow your mind to be sedated by these potentially soothing lullabies. . .  

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WHAT EVERYBODY OUGHT TO KNOW ABOUT . . . INSOMNIA

 “Do any of the people who come to see you have insomnia?” she asked cautiously.

“I mean not serious insomnia, but more that kind of once in awhile thing ... maybe once a month or so?”


The answer, of course, was a resounding yes, which led us into an interesting discussion of all the different reasons for that somewhat confusing inquietude that hits us late at night when our body is done and our mind is still on hyper drive.

How can these two parts – body and mind – of the same system be so at odds?

And really, have you ever met anyone over the age of two who hasn’t had this experience?


Tomorrow:  What makes this happen and what can we do about it?



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