winningwithlaughter

[winningwithlaughter]

Joyful Medicine

Laughter is healthy. Laughter removes all the filters, doubts, egos, etc., and replaces it with a pure connection, not just with ourselves, but also with others in the same energy field.

 My breakdown of L.A.U.G.H.T.E.R

        L for Love

        A for Acceptance

        U for Uniqueness 

        G for Gratitude 

        H for Humility

        T for Truth

        E for Ego

        R for Reboot

Laughter has nothing to do with taste, and taste has nothing to do with laughter. The exercise of laughter has nothing to do with comedies. Laughter is just laughter. It is like breathing. There is no judgment on breathing; you just do it. There is no judgment on laughter. We are free enough to laugh when we are judgment-free.

For more visit my course Winning with Humor!

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Live. Laugh. Love.

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The Healing Power of Laughter: Building a Foundation of Joy and Connection

Building a Strong Foundation: Like how a beautiful home must be built on a solid foundation, our lives need a sturdy base to flourish. Mother Nature, in her wisdom, does not start with the leaves of a tree; she begins with the roots, laying the groundwork for growth. Likewise, our journey involves constructing a foundation, enabling us to delve into extraordinary experiences such as self-discovery and shedding layers of negativity.

Deconstructing LAUGHTER: Let us dissect the word "LAUGHTER" and uncover its essence through an acronym:

L - Love: Laughter is a manifestation of love, fostering a connection with ourselves and others.

A - Acceptance: It teaches us to accept ourselves and those around us without judgment.

U - Uniqueness: Embracing laughter celebrates our individuality and encourages authenticity.

G - Gratitude: It ignites a sense of appreciation, amplifying our gratitude for life's blessings.

H - Humility: Laughter keeps us grounded, reminding us to approach life with humility.

T - Truth: It unveils our true selves, allowing us to express and experience authenticity.

E - Ego: Laughter helps us shed our ego, freeing us from the constraints of self-importance.

R - Reboot: It acts as a reset button, rejuvenating our spirits and revitalizing our outlook on life.

The Essence of Laughter: Laughter defies categorization and transcends personal taste or preference. It is an exercise, much like breathing. There is no judgment or evaluation attached to laughter; it simply flows naturally. When we embrace laughter without judgment, we unlock our freedom to experience joy and genuine connection.

So, let us honor the profound gift of laughter, for it has the potential to transform our lives and create a world where levity, lightness, and laughter prevail.

For more, Go to www.winningwithhumor.com

[winningwithlaughter]

Playing Games

I've often heard the expression "don't play games with me." It's an unusual expression that I understand, but don't vibe with, as it gives game playing a bad rap.

Games are meant to be playful, not manipulative, and the intent is to bring joy, excitement and even healthy competition to the moment.  It’s a departure from the grind, an energy shift into presence and the lightness of being. A game can serve to be a bonding, taking a group of individuals and giving them a group purpose. It’s an opportunity to focus, removing us from the cacophony of noises that pound on the daily into our senses. 

The word “playful” derives its meaning from the word “play,” meaning that we’re filled (full) with play and joy.  No stressors exist from work or financial dealings. We’re in the moment, and that moment is anxiety free.  Unless, of course, the angst is from being competitive-about-stupid-shit like I am. I treat some games like the Super Bowl, even pulling a hamstring playing Charades.  Ever trying acting out “whole thing” of Titanic? Daddy went down with the ship, literally! 

One affirmation/confirmation I’ve heard many times is that I’m a good dad.  I would humbly agree.  Contrary to what kind of an ass I can be to adults, my four kids get a devoted and loving father 24/7. No matter what difficult circumstances are thrown this way, the centered ground of being a great parent cannot be tumbled. Fumbled, yes, tumbled, no.  The committed roots of love are too strong.  One thing my children will never grow up to work out in therapy is - “I was raised with no laughs by a boring man who never smiled.”  Ha!

Not having a dad in my life as a child reinforces the yearning to be an active, loving and supportive father to the four Shoemaker kids. I give them all I longed for as a boy.  

One thing that stayed with me, and inspires me aways to heal, is missing what the other kids had - playing with their pops.  I recall being so resentful of my neighbors, who had a large family unit, all referring to events as “my dad” this and “my dad” that.  I sarcastically called the oldest boy next door, “my dad,” acting as if he was trying to make me jealous, when indeed he was simply spelling out his activity that day.  “My dad is taking us to Phillies game.” Grrrr.  It would send me to envy and sadness, knowing I could never utter those words. 

One Father’s Day 18 years ago, my son Justin cued up the scene from Field of Dreams, where Kevin Costner’s character, Roy Kinsella, asks his ghost father, “do you want to have a catch?” With a devilish look on his face, Justin pressed play, and watched me bawl my eyes out, while begging him to stop the video.  

That classic film is all based in the world of the game of baseball, metaphoric meanings aplenty, with family love at the core.  All walks of life, varying goals and agendas, are all brought together by a game some have never even played.  They found bliss on a field created from dreams. We can do the same in our lives, creating a personal world that’s not so dark and serious, abundant with emotional freedom. 

My children thrive when we engage in games. Before bed I give them choices of invented family customs we play out.  Most often they choose trivia we call, “Keyser Soze,” where my knowledge nudgers are spawned from looking around the room, like Keyser Soze made up his story in the film, The Unusual Suspects.  For instance, I spy the vertical window blinds and ask, “what blind singer sang Georgia?” 

We laugh a lot, even if it’s making fun of me for asking a dumb question.  I’ll trip on a banana peel for them.  Laughter is the greatest form of intimate unity.  

I say we humans pull away from the evil triad of fear, doubt and worry, and jump on the train of love, light and laughter.  If happiness is the goal, then there will be less “mind games” to worry about.  You get to create your own energetic space, and the mean folks will go away when your vibe is about fun.  

What kind of games do you play with your loved ones and friends? Share that.  It’s better than sharing a photo of your ass in a thong at a beach we’re not at! 

Oh. Gotta go. My kids have a Frisbee, waiting for their dad to play…on the sand…in front of our luxury hotel…in sunny Maui…where you’re not.  

Hahaha.  Just playing with you.  Have a fun day, wherever you’re playing your games! 

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This is me with my friend Donna, who I referenced in my last post.

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Winning With Humor: Shifting Perspectives and Embracing Gratitude

In a world that often feels heavy with negativity, finding ways to infuse humor into our lives can be a game-changer. Recently, during a conversation with my friend Donna, we stumbled upon the transformative power of humor. By incorporating laughter into our discussions, we not only lightened the mood but also discovered a path to gratitude and positive energy. This experience has inspired me to explore the profound impact of humor on our well-being and how it can lead us to a winning mindset.

Finding Laughter Amidst the Shadows:

Donna shared with me the presence of some perpetually pessimistic individuals in her life. These individuals seemed to be trapped in a cycle of doom and gloom, constantly ranting about everything. In an effort to uplift the conversation, I would interject with a simple request: "Tell me something funny after all the doom and gloom." Surprisingly, this lighthearted prompt consistently yielded a burst of laughter. It became evident that humor had been overshadowed by negativity, and by consciously redirecting our focus, we unlocked a wellspring of joy.

Gratitude: The Key to Positive Energy:

Reflecting on the power of humor, I realized its close connection to gratitude. When we express gratitude, we tap into a well of positive energy that has the potential to transform our lives. It is in acknowledging both the pleasant and painful experiences that we allow ourselves to grow and heal. Gratitude serves as a catalyst for embracing the lessons learned from trauma and pain, granting us relief and empowerment.

Shifting Perspectives for a Winning Mindset:

Our thoughts shape our energy. By choosing gratitude and infusing humor, we can pivot our perspective from negative to positive. This shift becomes a catalyst for change, transforming our overall outlook on life. Energy, like a flowing river, constantly moves, and we have the power to guide its course. By introducing gratitude as fuel, we can alter the direction of our energy flow, attracting more positivity into our lives.

Winning With Humor:

Humor serves as a powerful tool for winning in life. It lightens our burdens, sparks joy, and strengthens relationships. When we embrace humor, we create an environment where laughter and happiness thrive. Moreover, humor allows us to approach challenges with resilience and creativity, fostering a winning mindset that propels us towards success.

In the end, Winning With Humor entails a deliberate choice to shift our perspective and embrace gratitude. By infusing humor into our conversations and interactions, we unlock a wellspring of joy that elevates our well-being. Gratitude serves as the key to accessing positive energy, enabling us to find meaning and growth even in the face of adversity. So, let us harness the power of humor and gratitude, and embark on a journey of winning in life. Embrace laughter, cultivate gratitude, and watch as your world transforms into a playground of joy and endless possibilities.

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Funny is Money

Using Winning with Humor effectively can be a powerful tool in the business world. It can help break the ice, build rapport, and ease tension in high-pressure situations. Here are 5 tips on how to use Winning With Humor to your advantage in the workplace:

1.      Know Your Audience

Before using humor in a business setting, it is important to understand your audience. Make sure your humor is appropriate and relevant to the situation and the people you are speaking to.

2.      Be Genuine

Humor works best when it is authentic. Don’t force it or try too hard! Instead, focus on being yourself and use humor to highlight your personality and build connections with others.

3.      Use Self-Deprecating Humor

Self-deprecating humor can be an effective way to connect with others and show that you do not take yourself too seriously. Just make sure it is not overly negative or critical.

4.      Timing is Key

Humor can be a great way to lighten the mood or break tension, but it is important to use it at the right time. Avoid using humor during serious or sensitive discussions, and make sure it does not detract from the message you are trying to convey.

5.      Practice

Like any skill, using humor effectively takes practice. Look for opportunities to use humor in your everyday interactions, and pay attention to what works and what does not.

Ultimately, the key to using humor effectively in business is to use it as a tool to build relationships, rather than to entertain or impress others. By being genuine, thoughtful, and strategic, you can use humor to help people feel more comfortable, engaged, and motivated in the workplace.

Winning with humor in business is all about using humor in a way that helps you achieve your goals. Whether you are looking to build relationships, close a deal, or motivate your team, humor can be a powerful tool. Some additional ways of Winning With Humor in business are incorporating positivity, strategy, personable stories, and finally, empathy. Your goal is to create a genuine human connection with your co-workers and clients to create a more cohesive and positive work environment. Using humor that is positive, uplifting, and lighthearted can be a great way to build rapport and create a positive atmosphere in the workplace. However, know your limits; avoid negative, sarcastic, or critical humor. Especially if it is offensive, inappropriate, or likely to be misunderstood. Humor can also be a great way to break the ice, but it's important to use it strategically. Use humor to build relationships, motivate your team, or lighten the mood in a high-pressure situation. One of the most effective ways to use humor in business is through storytelling. Sharing a funny or relatable story can help people connect with you on a personal level and make a lasting impression. Reemphasizing, humor is a great way to connect with others, but it's also important to practice empathy and put yourself in their shoes. Make sure your humor is appropriate and relevant to the situation and the people you are speaking to. Ultimately, Winning With Humor in business is all about using humor in a way that helps you achieve your goals while building positive relationships with others. By being positive, strategic, and empathetic, you can use humor to make a lasting impression and achieve success in the workplace.