Plato once said that “Life was meant to be lived as play.” When I ask audience members if they have a sense of humor, I usually get 25 per cent of the group raising their hands. Yet, when I tell a joke, most of the audience laughs. I’d like to expand your understanding of yourself and humor. Underneath the word PLAYFULNESS are more specific terms such as humor and fun. Humor is the ability to give laughter or be the instigator of playfulness. This is the more yang, or masculine principle. Fun, on the other hand, is the ability to receive laughter. This is the more yin, or feminine, principle of playfulness. A useful metaphor may be that humor is the plug, and fun is the socket. The ability to be playful with life is to have both. Some people are good at receiving laughter; they can laugh at jokes or irony, but rarely express humor themselves. These people have a good sense of fun. Conversely, some people use humor often to instill laughter in others, yet may not be able to laugh themselves. Several professional comedians fall into this category. They have a good sense of humor, but not a good sense of fun. The ideal is to have both.

What Are Your Attitudes Towards Humor?

Before building on your sense of humor, it is important to do a personal attitude inventory. Read each statement and think about how often this is true for you…

A) Always   B) Mostly   C) Don't Know   D) Never

1. Life is hard, mostly a struggle. A B C D

2. When I work I have a lot of fun. A B C D

3. I find I worry a lot in life. A B C D

4. My mental health improves when I’m having fun. A B C D

5. Having fun seems to just get me into trouble as a presenter. A B C D

6. I laugh at myself when I make a mistake. A B C D

7. I feel overwhelmed by my responsibilities. A B C D

8. I take my responsibilities seriously, but myself lightly. A B C D

9. When I’m having fun, other people seem positively affected by me. A B C D

10. When I’m doing something that is just for fun, it feels like a waste of time. A B C D

11. I thrive on adventure. A B C D

12. I’m not playful when I work because there is too much to do. A B C D

13. I put off learning more about humor because I don’t have time. A B C D

14. I am grateful for my life, and make each moment count. A B C D

15. When I’m with a group of people socially it takes me a while to feel relaxed enough to be playful. A B C D

16. Using humor feels too risky. A B C D

17. I’m concerned people will think I’m stupid or foolish if I try to make them laugh. A B C D

18. People generally consider me a positive, upbeat person. A B C D

19. My audiences are usually poker-faced grouches who practice mirth control. A B C D

20. If I’m having fun at the front of the room, others feel uncomfortable. A B C D

21. The people I spend most of my time with are fun-loving people. A B C D

22. I look for what is wrong with a situation, before I look at what is right. A B C D

23. I have a good sense of humor; I can easily make people laugh. A B C D

24. When I was growing up, my family was humorously challenged. A B C D

25. I have a sunny disposition. A B C D

26. I laugh easily. A B C D

27. When things go wrong, I eventually find some angle on it that is funny. A B C D

28. Whenever I start to enjoy myself, I start to feel guilty. A B C D

29. I tend to see the glass as “half empty”. A B C D

30. My humor seems to hurt and/or offend people A B C D

31. I’m less self-conscious when I’m having fun. A B C D

32. I like to stay in control. Having fun often seems too chaotic. A B C D

33. I balance work and play in my life. A B C D

34. I make sure I take time to enjoy myself each day. A B C D

35. Most women aren’t very funny. A B C D

36. Women’s humor is just as valid as men’s. A B C D

Scoring

1.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

2.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

3.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

4.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

5.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

6.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

7.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

8.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

9.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

10.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

11.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

12.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

13.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

14.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

15.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

16.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

17.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

18.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

19.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

20.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

21.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

22.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

23.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

24.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

25.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

26.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

27.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

28.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

29.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

30.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

31.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

32.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

33.	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

34	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

35.	a.1	b.2	c.3	d.4

36	a.4	b.3	c.2	d.1

Total Score = ______________

Results

If your score was 117 or more, your attitude towards fun is a model for the rest of us.

If your score was 90-116, you are human. We all carry some negativity. You are still on your way towards a more joyous life. This book can help enhance that.

If your score was 63-115, your attitudes often repel wonderful, fun moments. Practicing new behaviors outlined in here, will help you re-write your inner script around fun.

If your score was under 62, you definitely need some help. But that’s okay, there is lots of help available. And, each moment is an opportunity for making new choices.

Carla Rieger is an expert on creative people skills at work. If you want a motivational speaker, trainer, or leadership coach to help you stay on the creative edge, contact Carla Rieger.

Web site: http://www.carlarieger.com
Tel: 1-866-294-2988
Email carla@carlarieger.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Carla_Rieger
http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Have-a-Good-Sense-of-Humor?-Take-the-Quiz&id=97712

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• Self Improvement Starts With Self Love and a Sense of Humor

By Irene Conlan -

Yesterday was – well – full of challenges.

Jack, my grandson, was sick with a fever, cough and all that goes with a cold or the flu. The Doctor told us it was just a chest cold and to do those things you usually do for a cold: lots of water, rest, some cough medicine, etc. In the morning he did nothing but lay limply on the couch beside his dad. That was scary. By afternoon he was back to his bouncy, happy self and we relaxed a bit.

My computer crashed several times in the afternoon in the middle of a job that had to be done NOW for a customer. I lost data and had to do several things over. Not nice.

FEDEX didn’t pick up the package that HAD to go out on Friday and we had to take it to Kinkos  so it could go out for sure. Time wasted over someone else’s glitch.

My cat barfed on the rug by the sink in the kitchen. Had to take the time to clean it up.

The TV stopped working – a cable was loose – no big deal,  but it was frustrating.

That’s how the day went. Nothing major – just a lot of irritating little things. My son had the same kind of day and we were both a little edgy by the time evening came.

We were all sitting down catching our breath when Jack had a gaseous explosion – if you’ve ever been around little boys you know how much absolute fun farts and belches can be. (sorry for the crudeness – it’s just the way it is with them). Jack got the giggles. Then his dad got them. Soon the three of us were sitting here laughing and any remaining tension from the day was gone. Vanished.

We got a renewed burst of energy and finished the day on a high note.

Laughter is so powerful.

Start paying attention to what laughter does for you.

According to the Mayo Clinic, a good bout of laughter will:

• Stimulate your organs. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs and muscles, and increases the endorphins that are released by your brain.
• Activate and relieve your stress response. A rollicking laugh fires up and then cools down your stress response and increases your heart rate and blood pressure. The result? A good, relaxed feeling.
• Soothe tension and stomachaches. Laughter can also ease digestion and stimulate circulation, which helps reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

The long-term effects of laughter, again, according to the Mayo Clinic, are to:

• Improve your immune system. Negative thoughts manifest into chemical reactions that can impact your body by bringing more stress into your system and decreasing your immunity. In contrast, positive thoughts actually release neuropeptides that help fight stress and potentially more-serious illnesses.
• Relieve pain. Laughter may ease pain by causing the body to produce its own natural painkillers.
• Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter can also make difficult situations a little bit easier.

So, not only will laughter erase the effects of your daily stress, it will make you healthier. What a great deal! And laughter costs absolutely nothing.

So, what about Santa?

Can you imagine  the stress level of Santa trying to get all those gifts delivered to the right children on time, not to mention the problems he must have with eight reindeer, a sleigh and the weather? So what does he do? He laughs. He Ho, h o, hos as he flies around the planet and his stress level stays low. We can take a lesson from this jolly old man. Let’s Ho, Ho, Ho all the way to Christmas!

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By Irene Conlan from email – author unknown

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

1) No matter how hard you try, you can’t baptize cats.

2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don’t let her brush your hair
.
3) If your sister hits you, don’t hit her back. They always catch the second person.

4) Never ask your 3 year old brother to hold a tomato.

5) You can’t trust dogs to watch your food.

6) Don’t sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

7) Never hold a Dust Buster and a cat at the same time.

You can’t hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

9) Don’t wear polka dot underwear under white shorts.

10) The best place to be when you’re sad is Grandpa’s lap.

GREAT TRUTHS THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:

1) Raising teenagers is like nailing jelly to a tree.

2) Wrinkles don’t hurt.

3) Families are like fudge..mostly sweet, with a few nuts.

4) Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground.

5) Laughing is good exercise. It’s like jogging on the inside.

6) Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the toy.

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD

1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

2) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives I can get.

3) When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you’re
down there.

4) You’re getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking
chair that you once got from a roller coaster.

5) It’s frustrating when you know all the answers but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.

6) Time may be a great healer, but it’s a lousy beautician.

7) Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone

Related posts:

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By Irene Conlan -

Several people have asked me why I don’t pick a topic and give you a bunch of pointers on how to achieve your goal. For example, “Ten Ways to Stop Procrastination,” or “Becoming a Top Speaker in 5 Easy Steps or “6 Ways to Be More Loveable.” The answer? I could do that and it probably wouldn’t get you far if you followed it. I’m not saying that lists of “how tos” never work. I’m saying that improvement is an inside job wrapped around liking who you are. As you begin to accept yourself like you are right now and love and respect that self, many of the things that you’ve been trying to work on either improve or are no loger an issue.

One of the key ingredients in self improvement and self acceptance is a sense of humor. God knows that we humans are a funny bunch and we might as well get a good laugh now and then from it – even at our own expense.  I look at myself and think of the tag line for some children’s toys, “Weebles wobble but they don’t fall down.” I look like a weeble but I do fall down.  I need to be about seven feet tall to balance out my weight. I am past middle age and gravity has most certainly taken over, dragging body parts down where they’re not supposed to be. I look at women who have tiny waistlines and remember – well, sometimes, I remember. I forget a lot and often that’s a good thing.

I have made mistakes and have had deep and hearty laughs about most of them. I came to my mid-fifties beaten up by a failed marriage that made me wonder if I had even minimal self worth, if I could accomplish anything worthwhle. Now I find humor even there. It was in my finding the funny and the human in me, balancing my humanity with my spirituality, and helping others discover the wonderfulness in themselves that I began to see the depth of my own value, my richness as a human being.

So take a look at yourself. It’s o.k. to giggle a bit or laugh out loud. Let it ripple throughout your being. Get over the judgment of yourself. Get over the fact that you are not perfect and begin to love who you are.

To help you loosen up and get a good laugh, even if you aren’t a middle aged woman, turn up your sound and click the link:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1TVOXdNkFo

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St. Patrick is a Catholic saint credited with driving the snakes out of Ireland in the fifth century. It’s too bad he didn’t come to the desert and send the rattle snakes packing but that’s another story and another century.

A website, www.history.com gives us a bit (or should I say a wee bit) of information about St. Patrick’s day: The The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place not in Ireland, but in the United States. Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City on March 17, 1762. Along with their music, the parade helped the soldiers to reconnect with their Irish roots, as well as fellow Irishmen serving in the English army.

Over the next thirty-five years, Irish patriotism among American immigrants flourished, prompting the rise of so-called “Irish Aid” societies, like the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick and the Hibernian Society. Each group would hold annual parades featuring bagpipes (which actually first became popular in the Scottish and British armies) and drums.
Today, St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by people of all backgrounds in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Although North America is home to the largest productions, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated in other locations far from Ireland, including Japan, Singapore, and Russia.

In modern-day Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day has traditionally been a religious occasion. In fact, up until the 1970s, Irish laws mandated that pubs be closed on March 17. Beginning in 1995, however, the Irish government began a national campaign to use St. Patrick’s Day as an opportunity to drive tourism and showcase Ireland to the rest of the world. Last year, close to one million people took part in Ireland ‘s St. Patrick’s Festival in Dublin, a multi-day celebration featuring parades, concerts, outdoor theater productions, and fireworks shows. (http://www.history.com/minisite.do?content_type=mini_home&mini_id=1082)

Today we can all be a little bit Irish. Laugh, dance, sing and enjoy the day.

My motto today: I don’t need improvement, I’m IRISH!

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The picture today is again of Alligator Rock only this time it is barely visible because the tide is so high this morning – higher than any other morning since I’ve been here. There is one brave pelican sitting on the tiny tip of it that sticks up above the water. He sits stoically there like the captain who is reluctant to abandon ship. We could all learn from that pelican – lessons in bravery and “hanging in there.” Then again maybe he’s not too bright and can’t see anyplace else to land even though the beach is close. Who knows.

Today I feel a “rampage of appreciation” coming on. That’s a term coined by Abraham – Hicks (http://www.abraham-hicks.com) to encourage us to remember all those things we have to be grateful for. Wow! How much time do we have and how much can’ I write on a blog?

I am grateful for

1. my brother who brought me here for this wonderful time and for just being the wonderful man he is
2. the people of La Paz who have been so helpful, kind and generous with their time
3. water and the beauty of the sea
4. palm trees and pelicans
5. the best fish and sea food I have ever eaten – anywhere (I hope to have Happy Shrimp again someday)
6. fresh air and sunshine – in abundance
7. new ways of doing things
8. individual differences that make people so interesting and so beautiful
9. the beautiful Mexican families who go out with babies, children, grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles and have a wonderful time together
10. for laughter that continues until tears run down your face and your gut hurts
11. for a chance to take a break from the daily routine so it can become new and fresh again
12. for my son and grandson who will be happy to see me when I get home (and I will be so happy to see them)

My list isn’t nearly finished. I could go on for quite some time, but it’s time to get the suitcase closed and in the car for the trip down the coast to Cabo.

I encourage each of you reading this to do a rampage of appreciation. It is a wonderful daily habit to develop. It’s one of the best self improvement tools I know of because it keeps you focused on all the things you DO have rather than the things you DON’T have. When you’re thinking positively it helps you grow and improve in many areas at one time.

Just let your mind begin to reflect on all the things you love, appreciate, care for – you get the idea. Write it down. Keep an “appreciation” journal and go back and read it now and then.

As I take my last look at La Paz I reflect on the words of Albert Einstein:

Sensation of the Mystical
(“found poetry”)

The most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience
is the sensation of the mystical.
It is the sower of all true science.
He to whom this emotion is a stranger,
who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe,
is as good as dead.
To know that what is impenetrable to us really exists,
manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty,
which our dull faculties can comprehend only in their primitive forms -
this knowledge, this feeling,
is at the center of true religion.

~ Albert Einstein ~

(The Merging of Spirit and Science, cited in
All Things Give God Glory, ed. by S. Rena)

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We had to ring a bell and wait while someone came with a key to let us in through an immense wrought iron gate but the welcome was warm and inviting. Some steps up the outside of one of the buildings took us up to an outside dining area termed the “Whale Watching Deck” and we found a table at the ocean side of the patio. The people at the neighboring table told us where to watch for whales and in a moment or two we spotted them playing not too far from shore. They were there for the duration of our three hour stay.  Some would come close to the shore where they could scrape up against the rough ocean wall to scrape off the barnacles that had attached themselves to the whale’s enormous body. They were fascinating to watch as they played.

The play seemed to be contagious and the humans eating on that deck caught the mood, sharing some stories, jokes and mingling their laughter.

As you can see from the picture, there was a lagoon in front of us with a sand bar separating the lagoon from the ocean. Some walk out to sit on the beach and watch the whales from a closer point. No matter where you are in this jewel of a place, there is beauty all around you.

The meal was exquisite, the marguerites were tasty and potent and the camaraderie among the guests was delightful. It was, indeed, a perfect afternoon.

But now, here comes the self improvement part.

Getting thee was not easy. We drove 50 miles of winding road to reach Todos Sanctos, inched our way through the streets of the town over a snaking, rocky dirt road, following small signs that were nailed to something or other on the corners where we needed to turn and were met with a locked iron gate. My brother had been there before and assured me it was worth the bumps, turns and waiting for someone to unlock the gate.

There’s a cliche phrase,  “Keep your eyes on the prize.” It’s true. We could have settled for any of the other nice restaurants in Todos Sanctos and there are several. We could have stayed on the main road that was smoothly paved. We could have turned around at the locked gate. We could have had a good time doing any of those things and never been aware of what we had missed.

Persist. Go around that last corner to get what you want. At the end of the road there may be more than you anticipated, more than your imagination could conceive.

Sometimes this path of self improvement is winding and rocky as well, but at the end  ahhh. It may be a place where the whales play, the food is delicious and the company exquisite metaphorically speaking. It takes courage to keep going over the treacherous roads and it takes focus on what it is you really want.

So, dear friend, just “keep on keeping on.” What you are seeking for your self may be just around the corner – you just can’t see it yet.

And with that in mind I’m on my way to La Paz, Mexico to meet my brother and do a little whale watching. My brother has a wonderful sense of humor and an infectuous laugh and I’m looking forward to that. Sometimes, even when we write about self improvement and how to make things better, we need to put our money where our mouth is. And I did just that.

So the next few days I’ll be writing about what’s going on in La Paz. My brother lives just off a beautiful beach and the view of the water and beach from his window is spectacular. There is beauty everywhere. We have our own special beauty in Arizona but sometimes when you live in a place you stop seeing it. When I return I will be in awe of my surroundings again.

It’s important to realize that a get away is a time for refreshment and not a time of escape. I think of Jon Cabot Zinn’s book, Wherever You Go, There You Are. And so I’m off for a little R and R.

The shuttle will be here any minute so this is a very short message.

Just remember to laugh today and see the beauty around you that you forget to see. See it again as if for the very first time.

Later!

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