08.20.09
Posted in Humor~General at 11:30 pm by Dr. Trina Hess
Yoga is an excellent way to gain awareness. Western thought splits our being into mind and body. Through our socialization, our interactions with our institutions, and our habits, we carry on this misconception. We believe we can work, run, strive, and our bodies will follow suit.
We introverts, especially, have a disconnect with their bodies. We spend a lot of time in our minds–throwing around theories, thinking new thoughts, visioning possibilities. This strands us further away from awareness.
Think of how many times you have been typing or reading and didn’t notice how strained your neck and shoulder muscles were. You were too engrossed in your topic to care!
Yoga breaks through this ignorance and re-introduces us to our physical body. We learn to relax our muscles. We learn to breathe. We learn to note when we are feeling pain, and to stop the activity that is responsible.
Being physically aware feeds into being mentally sharp, too. It’s all interrelated, it’s all a spiral. There is no split.
Each part affects the other.
The great news is that we can affect both!
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Posted in Humor~General at 3:48 am by Dr. Trina Hess
When we are aware of our surroundings, our senses are heightened. Our stress level is down. We can see the humor that is all around us. And the cycle repeats.
I read an article in Yoga Journal magazine about meditation. The article suggested visualizing yourself as a mountain. Then, imagine that all the criticisms, negative vibes, worry, and stress are clouds. See them pass by the mountain top. But notice that the mountain does not move.
Those events and circumstances are merely passing things. But you can maintain your equilibrium and your equanimity. Even as your external environment swirls around you out of (your) control.
The mountain is all right. You are aware. And you may even be laughing.
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08.19.09
Posted in Humor~General at 3:27 am by Dr. Trina Hess
Another way to develop awareness is to say aloud what you are doing. This is a strategy that I learned in acting classes.
“I am typing at the computer.” “I am dialing the phone.” “I am opening the door.”
Hearing our own voice describe what is currently happening forces your mind to follow you into awareness.
Being aware means being open. Open to possibilities and open to opportunities. And especially–being open to allowing a humorous lifestyle to develop.
“I am hitting the ‘Publish’ button.”
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08.18.09
Posted in Humor~General at 2:57 am by Dr. Trina Hess
Here’s the first in the series about cultivating awareness.
Having awareness means we can be in the present moment. We can recognize the humor that exists all around us, all the time. All we have to do is catch it, accept it, let it fall into our hands. Then the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits of humor are ours to enjoy.
The book, “The Sedona Method” offers tips and strategies for developing awareness. Its author advises to let go of our wants. The wants are what keep us attached to future images and past regrets. When we want things like security, acceptance, or anything else, we will always be disappointed. The wants may become satisfied, but there will always be another want.
Speaker and small business consultant Marc LeBlanc, in his Buen Camino role, advises a similar strategy. He says to get rid of the images associated with our accomplishments and/or regrets. Yes, that means to also let go of the good. In this way, we can make more room for even more good to enter our life.
So the first step is to get rid of the wanting. Let it go. Visualize it as a ball of black tar. Visualize whatever you want, but make sure it works to allow you to release the want. Then, notice the freedom you feel. The space you have just created. That space is where you will invite your sense of humor.
Then, you can Live Life–Lite! Stay tuned for tomorrow’s tip for creating awareness that leads to a more humorous and fun lifestyle!
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08.17.09
Posted in Humor~General at 3:13 am by Dr. Trina Hess
Today’s Comedy Around the World blog segment travels to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Home of many films, like The Kill Point, Shannon’s Rainbow, the one with Sarah Jessica Parker, one with Bruce Willis, and many others.
Not only do we have amazing scenery and architecture in Pittsburgh. We also have an outstanding crew that works like a charm, every film, every time.
The beauty of working on a film set is that it is surprisingly relaxing. For the actors, anyway. We don’t have to be in control of anything. Mainly, because we can’t be. We usually don’t know the whole story. We haven’t read the script. And we are only needed in certain scenes.
All we extras need to know is where to move, when, and how quickly. Just, “move like water,” as one director told us.
Our part is just one of many that will be pieced together to make the film’s story. I sometimes wish I could live my real life in this way. Not worrying about the big picture, but just living out my small scene for the day. Next day, new scene. That’s focus. That’s living. That’s awareness.
That’s what this blog will cover each day next week–how to create the awareness that opens up our humor nature.
But don’t worry about that right now. Just, “Get Your SHINE Together!”
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08.15.09
Posted in Humor~General at 7:10 pm by Dr. Trina Hess
“Trina, that’s just not funny, sorry.”
There’s no greater insult than to say that to a comic. It’s a response I got from one of my Facebook friends. My first response was to panic. Then, figure out something brilliant that he WOULD think was funny. Then, I remembered my mission: Humor is worth it.
I tell my own audiences that when you use your sense of humor, you are taking a risk. You have no idea how your humor will be received. But you do have to tell your truth–the truth contained within your humor style.
Facebook is a wonderful playing field for trying out humor. Just by hitting the “Share” button, we take a risk. We put ourselves out there, to be commented on by anyone–unless your settings are stricter than mine are.
I realized that I can’t tell people to be brave, if I wouldn’t be. I could easily bar that person’s comments. But I don’t. And I don’t want YOU to do that, either. I deal with hecklers, and I survive–even thrive. I always come up with new material and stronger connections with my audience.
My post was wrong, because I forgot to do something before I hit “Share.” I forgot to read my audience. I was swept up in the thrill and party-atmosphere of Facebook. I forgot who I was commenting to.
An egotistical person. Someone who posts photos of himself in front of his BMW. Someone who freely tells people that he makes much more money than they do. I had all the facts. I should have noted that he is a person who takes himself very seriously. His posts are never humorous, so why did I think my humor would be acceptable to him?
Some people just don’t “get” us, or our humor. But some people didn’t “get” Alice Cooper’s act in the beginning, either. The right ones will. It is our responsibility to use our humor no matter what.
Here’s to posting many more of our thoughts, jokes, inspiration and insights on Facebook–no matter what the outcome. “Get Your SHINE Together!” and I will do the same, now that I am more aware!
(Stay tuned all next week, for daily tips on how to create this Awareness. It’s what’s needed to create a humorous lifestyle.)
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Posted in Humor~General at 2:13 am by Dr. Trina Hess
“Reporters like sound bytes—short pithy statements that make an impact and get the listener / reader / viewer’s attention,” writes Victoria Colligan, founder of Ladies Who Launch
(http://www.ladieswholaunch.com/magazine/daily-launchtip-august-11-2009/3516).
When you know how to, “Get Your SHINE Together!” you will communicate in short, sharp–and occasionally funny–bursts of impact. Ask me how, today!
Learn how to Live Life–Lite!
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08.14.09
Posted in Humor~General at 3:20 am by Dr. Trina Hess
My friend Tammy Miller at www.tammyspeaks.com has a new book out: “My Life is Just Speech Material…And, So Is Yours: A Guide to What to Say and How to Say It.”
Just like finding humor in everyday experiences, we can find speech material in our experiences, Tammy says.
“Everyday life is an education filled with speech material. Look around you and embrace each day. You just never know where the inspiration for your next presentation will come from, or how your next life changing moment can help others. Look around you and live life…love life…and talk about it!”
Visit Tammy’s website to learn more about how she used humor to heal–in her book, “The Lighter Side of Breast Cancer Recovery.”
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08.12.09
Posted in Humor~General at 5:10 pm by Dr. Trina Hess
I heard on the news today that London has more surveillance cameras than any other place in the world. That is wonderful! I could just call someone up and ask, “Where did I put my keys?” and, “That theater ticket they just handed me at the box-office–did I put it in my purse, or where is it?”
That fact shows how important it is to stay in the humor mindset 24/7. Because we don’t get 2nd chances to make good 1st impressions. We can’t just put on the humor stance like a mask, then take it off when no one is watching. Because if you live in London, everyone is watching. All the time.
We have to keep on the lookout:
* For humor that exists all around us. This keeps us in a more positive mind-set.
* For things that affect us negatively. We can’t afford to remain calm at times and then just explode–people do not forget explosions, and the shards can remain in people’s memory forever.
* For how our humor affects people. Some people are very receptive to our brand of humor. Others will require that we water it down a bit. Listen to your gut and keep aware of the responses you get to your humor.
If you keep these tips in mind, you don’t have to be concerned about being watched. It will be a good thing, because people will be watching you to learn how to Live Life–Lite!
Keep looking for humor; keep your anger in check; and keep updated to how funny you are. And keep on showing others how to, “Get Your SHINE Together!”
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08.11.09
Posted in Humor~General at 6:58 pm by Dr. Trina Hess
Today I watched some news clips of the Town Hall meetings. You know, the discussions and confrontations about universal health care. I was especially intrigued with our senator, Arlen Spector’s audience. One meeting attendee was so irate, outraged, and–emotional.
It’s not my place–businesswise or comedy-wise to reveal what side of the issue I am on. It’s far more important to point out what not to do–and how humor can help.
I noticed that the lawmakers like Spector and Pelosi appeared calm, collected, and decidedly non-emotional about the whole issue. Their composure stood in stark contrast to the passionate detractors.
Not that Pelosi is a rolling-in-the-aisles funny person. But having a sense of humor reminds me of her composure. For example, if you fire back emotionally to someone’s response, who do you think looks more like a fool? YOU do.
But, if you contend with their remark via using your sense of humor, you seem in control. You appear to be someone for whom everything just rolls off your back, like water off a duck’s back.
That’s the message I got loud and clear from the Town Hall meetings. But how can we do this when we ARE so emotional?
1. Remember that emotions are not the enemy. Emotions are the perfect starting point for creating humor. They are the fuel for the funny.
2. Channel your emotions by understanding them.
3. Then, take them to the extreme and exaggerate them.
4. Then, form your response.
It’s not easy to do this on the spot. It takes practice to train yourself to restrain before you respond. But if you remain in that humorous mindset, your resulting response will be relieving to everyone!
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