SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - RECOGNIZING RABID BEHAVIOR - IN HUMANS!

We used to be able to identify 'crazy' easily - the people in strange  clothes walking down the street talking to themselves…

Right.  Today that would just about cover everyone…

Maybe clinically ' crazy' isn't an issue for most of us anyhow?

Maybe what we need to improve our awareness detectors for is something closer to 'toxic personality' behavior…

Think about it.  

How many times have you noticed someone acting out - with others - and instead of taking this is a warning sign, found yourself making excuses - as long as it wasn't aimed at you!

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

THIS ONE IS REALLY IMPORTANT!

Think back to the people who have 'dissed' you or caused you harm.

Now ask yourself if you ever saw them doing this same behavior to someone else - before you became the target?

Next, think about the people in your life now.  How are they treating others?

What do you think this might say about what could be coming your way?

Remember:  this is all about taking care of yourself.  

It doesn't mean you have to walk away from someone.  

It does mean you need to be prepared when IT is sent your way!

OKAY… WHO'S CRAZY?

Here we go again…

This weeks' second animal story.

Officials reporting a biting squirrel in a park in Brooklyn, ask the public to please avoid squirrels who look crazy…

What?  Interspecies insight?

Most of us can't even identify 'crazy' in our own species…

What do ya say?

Is this good advice or what?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - LAUGHTER, WHIMSEY AND RENEWAL

We often find ourselves holding onto our misery, not even being aware of the potential relief available around us…

If we put this position into words it might sound something like:  "Hey, things suck right now, and I have the right to be miserable!"

Okaaay…

BUT

Think about this - moments of relief do not diminish the 'credit' you get for what you are going through…  but they mitigate some of your suffering!

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

Pay attention to opportunities for 'time out' in your environment…

Make a list of your 'go to' escapes.  Where do you find moments of silliness, whimsy and laughter?

    

WATCHIN' BABY DINOSAURS…

Ok, we're talking birds - doves actually.

BUT

Watching them you gotta laugh…

Beautiful in the air and in all that art about peace and love, on the ground they definitely bring to mind how we got that expression 'birdbrain'.

My apologies to all ornithologists and true birdwatchers, but in this day and age, finding harmless joy and laughter anywhere we can is crucial!

What do ya say?

You get this, right?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - SOMETIMES IT'S FEAR

We often fall into a victim state when bad things happen.

It's an easy default position and often indicates our anger about feeling out of control.

BUT

Sometimes it is also a 'cover' for fear about what is happening that is causing us to feel like a victim.

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

When you feel like a victim - and yes - sooner or later we all do feel this way - try the following:

1)  Make a list of 3 things about what is going on that makes you angry.

Imagine stomping and yelling and kicking and throwing a good sized fit as a way to dispel some of that anger.

2)  Now ask yourself what you might be frightened about in the current situation.

Make a list of these fears.

3)  Finally, create a soothing inner voice that walks you through these fears and promises to stand by you with inner support!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY

"It's really NOT FAIR!"

He moaned and I could almost imagine him stamping his foot…

He continued as his voice got louder.

"Look at all the bad things that happen to me!"

"Really, don't I deserve better?  I mean I try to do everything right…"

AAOOO!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3064dD-qGQ

What do ya say?  Ever hear this one?

Recognize this guy?  

Who?  You?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - FAKE IT OR MAKE IT?

There's a great story about Marilyn Monroe - maybe true…

According to this one she was walking down a city street with a friend and of course the attention she got was non-stop. 

Supposedly her friend asked Marilyn how she could tolerate the constant focus.

So - the tale goes - Marilyn showed her…

The famous star changed her walk, her attitude, her get-up … and this time they walked down the street in anonymity…

It's interesting for us to think about the message we beam out into the world… and the responses we get back!

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

TAKE A PAGE OUT OF THE MM PLAYBOOK

How would you describe the image - and consequent message - you put out in the world?

As an experiment 'try on' the opposite persona… either in reality or fantasy.

What happens when you do this?

How do others respond?

How do you feel?

Might you want to include some elements of this alter ego into your daily routine?

Try this as an experiment and watch the results.

What does it tell you - about yourself?  About them?

CAN YOU PULL IT OFF?

Here's one of those great learning stories:

"I make up words all the time," the man winked as he told me this one.

"I do it in Spanish, English, whatever," he grinned, "and I notice that as long as I say my new-fangled words with impunity and authority, people look at me with admiration and usually tell me how smart am!"

What do ya say?

Do you get the moral of this one?

About him?  About them?

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

Ever notice what happens when you take that extra minute, give that extra dollar, notice someone's something new?

Here's a great story about this one…

As the woman was getting out of her Uber ride, the driver said:  "Ma'am I just want to tell you that you have the kind of personality that lights up a day!"

"Well, you know," she smiled as she told the story, "he really lit up my day!  What goes around and all that…"

What do ya say?

You get this, right?

Practice much?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - KISMIF!

Bet you wondered what that KISMIF thing is?

Thought it was a typo?

Nope.

This is a transformative mantra that can turn your world around!

'KEEP IT SIMPLE   MAKE IT FUN!'

How is it that we got the distorted view of life believing that the word 'work' and the concept of 'fun' should be separate?

Not!

Once upon a time in a land far,far away someone was ironing a shirt and… singing!

Yes, singing and smiling and maybe adding a little dance step in here and there.

Whoa!  What a strange sight…

When questioned she said: 

"All life is a joyful meditation!"

What a concept!

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

DANCE TO THE MUSIC!

Try this:

See if you can tune into the rhythm, the beat, the giggle in everything you do!

Washing dishes?  Feel the water, see the shine, the movement…

Ever watch the spin cycle on the clothes dryer?  Whee!

Sweeping the floor?  Add a chachacha!

Paperwork?  Get the visual rush of marking items off your list…

AND NO MATTER WHAT - LET GO OF PERFECT! 

UGH!

I hate…

Cleaning, paper work, paying bills, doing laundry, taking a shower, exercising, dieting…

What do ya say?

What's on your 'ugh' list?

SERIOUSLY SPEAKING - GET REAL!

We like to give everyone a chance, the benefit of the doubt, we like to be forgiving, we like to be optimistic…

BUT...

If we don't pay attention to the reality around us, we create stress, disappointment and pain - for ourselves!

DANCE WITH IT!   EXPERIENTIAL APPS                           

An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…

SEE IT, SAY IT!

Try this experiment:

1)  Think about some of the repetitive behavior in others that has caused you pain.

2)  Take away the 'bad' label from this behavior in order to view it objectively.

3)  Ask yourself if dealing with this would be as difficult if you expected it and recognized that it 'belonged' to the other person.

4)  Now, think about how you could take care of yourself with this new information.

STRESS REDUCTION 101

Remember those wonderful 'Peanuts' cartoons?

Remember how we all couldn't believe that good 'ole Charlie Brown was once again shocked when Lucy pulled away the football at the last minute as he went careening past?

What do ya say?

Don't remember?

Please!  Check it out!

http://peanuts.wikia.com/wiki/Football_gag

CELEBRATION!

'Freedom is the likelihood of questioning, the likelihood of committing an error, the likelihood of looking and testing, the likelihood of saying No to any authority–literary, creative, logical, religious, social and even political.'

                                                      Ignazio Silone

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                 CELEBRATE IT!