LAFOLOT

Sometimes, you don’t have a lot of control over a situation and using humor to diffuse anger, frustration, anxiety helps release the tension and bring peace, relaxation and good health back to your body.

There’s a sweet doggie across the road. Since he’s gotten to know me, he doesn’t bark at me anymore. But he barks a lot – so I WROTE THIS SONG!

Ode to Woody

MY NAME, IS WOODY MCBARKEN!
I LOVE TO BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK ALL DAY LONG!
MY NAME, IS WOODY MCBARKEN!
SO YA BETTER JUST MOVING RIGHT ALONG!
I LOVE TO BARK BARK BARK, YOU CAN SEE THAT’S NOT A LARK
‘CAUSE MY NAME – IS WOODY MCBARKEN
I LOVE TO BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK, BARK
ALL DAY LONNNNNNNG! *woof!

When life gets rough or brings you lemons –
turn it around with a silly song
and soon you’re body, mind, mental and emotional state will be
Back IN TUNE!

LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!
Keep living life – and when all else fails – laugh off the stress in a healthy way!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
www.lafolot.com

10 minutes later – Update: LOL! At myself!
I write a silly song, write a silly blog – couldn’t figure out why the recycle truck was was sitting outside my place engine running running running – After 10 min and my cats besides themselves … I go out – see that the Recycle guy is inside the Barking Dog Woman’s front porch – sipping coffee – while her dog barks incessantly and the truck engine running. I ask him if there’s a problem or could he turn off his truck engine? He apologizes and leaves – I tell her to grow up and get dog training to learn how to train her dog. SHE JUST STANDS THERE AND SMILES. *sigh … need to forgive myself for getting so worked up. Let me go read my silly song, again. oy vey! That’s why I say – I teach what I need to learn! Live Life! Laugh Often!

Not being funny, I was very excited about having completed a milestone in my dental improvements when I was about 42 yrs old.
I was dealing with a realtor at the time -
when she came over to my house, I announced:

I GOT MY IMPLANTS TODAY! and SMILED!

She looked at my chest (in question, since I’m short, overweight and not ‘very defined’ in that area … eh hem….)

NO! I said: DENTAL! DENTAL IMPLANTS!

…COMMUNICATION is a curious creature, is it not? ;o)

Needless to say – my implants will never be featured on the cover of any magazine when I become famous. [unless it's the American Dental Association magazine!]

Or should I say they will – but no one will notice them … other than DUE TO MY FABULOUS SMILE! ;o)

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Live Life! Laugh Often!
and SMILE! and show off that dental work!

[I told my one friend, I'd WILL the implants and crowns to her due to the cost incurred!] ;o) ashame to bury them!
this blog can also be seen at VIBRANT NATION under blog name: Helenoflafolot

I had the pleasure of being sat in a dining area filled with over 20 chirping cheerleaders, yesterday!

I like going out to eat on my own, which allows me to be open to meeting new people, and getting involved in interesting discussions. The Olive Garden Restaurant where I dine, has a complex design with 3 more intimate dining rooms vs the open seating area. I’ve been sat in one of those rooms, when it has been totally quiet, with just me BEing there. I’ve loved it because of the wide-high windows with the flowering trees outside. It’s fun to watch the birds fly in and out of the trees doing their ‘bird stuff’.

Well, yesterday, when I got sat in one of those dining areas, there was a couple at the table to my right and 20 or more beautiful young women excitedly talking about LIFE! I smiled as I started to review the menu. I had to look over at the couple to my right and smile – they smiled back. The room sounded FULL of CHIRPING BIRDS! I LOVED IT! It was abuzz with excited chatter!

It was wonderful to be amidst the beautiful, high energy of youth! I was so thrilled to be able to recognize that and soak it up! Around age 49, I had a big ‘Ah HA!’ moment which allowed me to let go of my fear of bears, spiders and other insects. I can now allow a bee to walk on my hand or face; explore this ‘interesting find’ and then buzz away without feeling threatened.

As a result, I was able to sit amidst the BUZZ of chatter from these lovely souls! I had to get up and walk over to the couple’s table and joke, ‘IT SOUNDS LIKE A BUNCH OF CHIRPING BIRDS!’ They nodded in agreement as they laughed.

Then, a wonderful thing happened; one of the girls a couple tables away LAUGHED OUT LOUD! It was so loud she actually followed with a giggle and put her hand over her mouth. It had FILLED the room! Well! I WAS GOING TO HAVE NONE OF THAT!

I quickly pulled an ‘appropriate’ LAFOLOT Smiley Face/Postive Statement bookmark out of my purse; jumped up out of my seat with a sly grin and ran it over to give to the girl. She looked up questioningly and accepted the bookmark with her friends looking on.

‘What does it say?’ they excitedly asked as I hurried back to my seat with my smile on my face. ‘YOU’VE GOT A GREAT LAUGH!’ the young woman announced! They smiled and laughed with her. Then, a wonderful thing happened; another girl at a table farther back LAUGHED OUT LOUD! Well! I dutifully jumped up out of my seat and ran a bookmark over to her! She smiled with pride as she graciously accepted the reward!

There was an adult woman with the Chirping Birds, so I quickly introduced myself and gave her one of my cards so she could feel safe knowing who had sprung into her flock of twittering birds, for whom she was responsible. She thanked me a couple times.
A couple other young women politely asked for a Smiley Bookmark, then we resumed our previous positions.

So often, young women are told to: SIT, LOOK PRETTY, DON’T WRINKLE YOUR DRESS, AND SPEAK SOFTLY. This type of behavior is carried into womanhood, into higher education, into the workplace and into their roles in relationships. Have we forgotten the song by Helen Reddy: ‘I am woman hear me roar, see me standing ‘cross the floor…’?

I am not into ROARING, but I AM into letting young women know it is OK TO LAUGH OUT LOUD! It’s OK to have a great idea and share it BOLDLY! It’s OK to EXPRESS your soul’s purpose that is yearning to get out and present itself to the world!

So to ALL the beautiful, spirited CHIRPING, BUZZING, LAUGHING OUT LOUD birds (I mean young women) out there in the world: LAUGH OUT LOUD and there’s no need to cover your mouth and shush, afterwards! Associate and mingle with Peers who embrace your passionate ideas; and SOAR TO THE SKY LIKE A BIRD spreading your ideas and laughter like SEEDS spread around by bustling chirping birds.

BE

Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT
Living in AWE of it ALL! Living Life in A-MAZE-Ment!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
LAUGH OUT LOUD!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog can also be seen at Vibrant Nation under Blog Cirlcle name: Helenoflafolot]
Motivational-Inspirational video by Helen of LAFOLOT can be seen on You Tube at Channel: Helenoflafolot

A Ha Ha Helen Szollosy, happy I got myself to this place, moment!

I’ve shared many ways to ‘turn the beat around’ in run on thought and emotional, thinking – out on on website blog. I’ve shared about turning negative worrisome thoughts to affirming/positive/repetitious thoughts; seeing negative blocks as ‘building blocks’ etc.

So …

I received a letter on my door (as did all the other condo owners) this afternoon. My first thought was, don’t open it, it’s another crazy letter from the Board!

Of course, the more I focused on NOT opening it, the BIGGER THE PROBLEM WITH THE LETTER appeared in my mind. Ha Ha! I ‘could’ see this and LAUGH at myself (this was a great growth moment!)

So, I approached the letter, took a deep relaxing breath and opened it. *pfew (such power this letter had over my emotions and mental health!)

Must have been printed on HEAVY BOND WEIGHT CARD STOCK, ya think?

So, it was an announcement of the newly elected Board members and a reviewing of the basic condo rules, yadda yadda yadda. I was familiar with a majority of them, but they threw in a few new ones.

Without going into details, this condo association has been a whirlwind of emotional, high flying activity for the past two years. Being a new owner and condo member, I was disappointed to have moved into such an emotionally unstable environment. Doorbell ringing due to board member resignations, two petitions going around with more doorbell ringing; condo neighbors coming to my door to tell me about parking space rules when it wasn’t me or my company in their spaces, etc etc

I renamed the place: Loony-fields Condominiums! (Hey! It makes me LAUGH to relieve the stress!)

So, I resolved the stress from my body being JARRED everytime one of the Loonie-field petitioners or board members would come BRINNNG BRRRRINNNNGING at my door bell. (They don’t seem to comprehend these are small, 2 bedroom units and the bell can be heard quite easily the first ring, thank you very much!) I started to place a little piece of paper between my screen/storm door lapping over the door bell button. It read: Please do not disturb.

Ahhhhh! Sweet peace! For the entire winter, I finally had a peaceful home environment. Well – LAUGH OUT LOUD here – they included in the new rules: No signs are to be placed on or near the units (AH HA HA HA). I’m thinking they were going through door bell ringing and petition ringing withdrawal. Maybe they need a mindfulness meditation group or Prozac?

So, I went out and dutifully took down my PEACE BRRRRRINGER. *smile

The other new note was: Please remove birdbaths from patios. Yep – I had a birdbath and was enjoying watching a fat Robin splashing around in it yesterday. So, out I went to remove the bird bath from my patio.

I should note here, prompt attention was needed due to a threat of a $50 fine for non-compliance.

WELL! How did I practice what I preach? I brought the beautiful, metalic-chip lined birth bath bowl into my home and thoroughly washed and disinfected it. The base is heavy wrought iron. The edge of the bowl is a rusty metal look. This all went very well with my Interior Design scheme.

I set the birthbath near my sliding glass door, filled it with water to create a reflective pool, and placed a large vanilla candle in the middle with five smaller candles encircling the larger.

As I sit here typing this blog, I am relaxed, smiling, and enjoying the candlelit, reflective, peaceful focal point I have created.

Ahhhhhh….*sigh and smile. THANK GOODNESS I ‘turned my thinking around’, let go of my fear of the enormous, monstrous letter and read it!

I NOW HAVE A BEAUTIFUL ACCENT to my home interior!

Glad I practiced what I preach!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Living in the moment … of peace… for the moment *smile
LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!
It’s not just FOR THE BIRDS!
www.lafolot.com
helenoflafolot@yahoo.com
[this blog may also be seen at Vibrant Nation under blog circle name: Helenoflafolot]

Are you having a little trouble staying focused?
Does your mind wander?
Are thoughts flying in and out of your head due to your Busy Bee schedule?

Well, try; I said TRY to get centered and focus on this day’s Highlighted Helen of LAFOLOT Motivational Moment video:

FOCUS ME.mp4

Inspired by the likes of: Professor Irwin Corey, Lily Tomlin and Robin Williams

SEE, if you can, THE MESSAGE – wrapped within the collage of movement, rambling and messiness. Stay focused, now!

I’ll bet the message will work itself into your busy thoughts, and at some point in the day, come out as a laugh or a giggle. Then, you’ll get focused!

My video motivational messages are MEANT to be imperfect. IMPERFECTIONS are remembered!
Think about LIFE in general. Don’t people look for the 4 Leaf Clover vs. all the 3 Leaf Clovers?

Do you stay FOCUSED on a Picasso painting trying to figure it out vs a landscape that gives a feeling of ahhhh.

My intention is to motivate and inpsire others – MY METHOD is with messiness, mayhem and getting you to remember the thougth due to the imperfections.

HAVE FUN STAYING FOCUSED!

Live life in A-MAZE-ment … even if it’s a little out of focus!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Highlighted Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT
www.lafolot.com

BUILDING BLOCKS? (…a Highlighted Helen moment)

I think, sometimes, life throws blocks in our path to stir up the pot. It gets us to get out of a rut and change our direction; take a turn towards a different road.

Having taken early retirement in January of 2009, it’s been an adjustment working from home. It’s very easy to sleep in, lounge around in ‘jammies’, and get caught up in computer games or all day television show marathons!

I took the bull by the horns to help with the budget of both my money and time. I got rid of my television cable connection! But, the computer (while I use it for my business) is still there for the games; which are a great distraction when finding a reason not to work!

So, I had to laugh, this morning! I have had challenges with my internet service provider since I first went with them almost two years ago. It seems the internet connection goes down between 2:00-7:00am every day! Yes, I have called and called and called… did I say I called; over and over. This has not helped. Because I like the speed, extra services provided, and not wanting to have to change, I have stayed with them. Well, this morning, the connection was down till after 8:00am and continued to be unstable after that. [Oh! I also discovered a great use for GIBBERISH when trying to get past the electronic voice prompt, that won't allow you to talk to a live person. I started to talk nonsense/giggerish, which caused her to say: 'I'm sorry, I don't understand you.' This caused her to put me through to the Live Tech Support person queue!] HA HA!

Of course, I had plenty of other things to do! But my focus was on the internet connection. Yes, the thought came to mind: ‘Helen, this is a gift, now you can get focused on those non-internet, work related things you need to do. *cough, laugh, eh hem Right! Not getting the message, I phased out playing some non-internet computer games! I’m a tough one to get the hint!

So that was my first BLOCK of the day, trying to conk me on the head to give me the message to MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION! Step away from the computer, so to speak.

I decide to shower and then go to lunch and do grocery shopping. I had been putting off grocery shopping for 3 days. I conveniently kept forgetting. I was out of breakfast foods, this morning, as a result. So, I get myself out of the house and start to drive out of my condo development. It has a curved driveway with a stop sign at either exit. Well, second BLOCK! We have a condo owner who lives on the corner by the one exit. This woman has a habit of stopping people in their cars, leaning in their passenger windows and talking, talking, talking. This blocks the exit. So THERE SHE WAS, I had to beep my horn and she just looked at me. Finally, the driver pulled over a bit. The really funny thing is that there are many parking spaces where these people can pull in to talk to her, but they just sit at the exit by the stop sign.

So, grumbling as I was finally able to pull around her, I kept my mind, stopped at the stop sign and made use of the STOP and SMILE (taking a deep breath) technique at several other stop signs, once I started on my journey. I didn’t want to let the internet BLOCK and the driver talking BLOCK ruin my day.

I got to one of my favorite dining spots, ‘ISAACS’ and had a pleasant lunch. Upon leaving the restaurant, there was a car parked two spaces from me with the license plate: LAFNLAF I looked at it and HAD TO LAUGH and SMILE! I still wasn’t getting the messages about the BLOCKS, but I had to laugh that some sort of lesson or message was coming my way!

So I drive over to the grocery store and have a successful shopping experience. I even gave a Smiley Face bookmark to a cashier who smiled back at me when I was starting to exit the store! I told her about my smile campaign, being a laughter leader, etc.

BLOCK 3 – I’m trying to leave the store and there is a woman in front of me with a MEGA cart totally filled! She had to use all available muscles to push the cart. Glued to her side is her teenage daughter, tagging along as if behind a momma duck. As a result, the exit was very slow, due to the oversized, overstuffed cart, slow movement and the daughter in close proximity hugging her mother’s every move.

When I finally got to my car and unloaded my few groceries, just as I was unlocking my driver side door, a car pulls behind me BLOCKING my exit from my parking space! BLOCK 4! I look and it is a ‘senior gentleman’ sitting and waiting for specific parking space 3 spaces back from the main lane. It wasn’t a handicap spot, I guess he just wanted THAT particular spot. Problem was, the person in the space had an oversized, overstuffed cart and was slowly unloading their groceries. They weren’t even ready to pull out of their space! But, there he sat, waiting and waiting. I beeped to get his attention and signal him to move forward. He must have been hard of hearing, I beeped a second time and he continued to sit, determined to get his selected spot. Maybe it had sentimental value to him?

So, I started to get the gist of all the BLOCKS I was having fall into my path. I had received 4 BLOCKS thus far, today. Now that I have four blocks, I can actually start to BUILD on these blocks! Oh, yes! Another message I received was when I sat down to read my daily meditation while dining out for lunch. It mentioned about, you guessed it, interferences in life being opportunities! HA HA

So, I guess now I’m going to have to take all these ‘earlier seeming’ irritating BLOCKS; turn them into BUILDING BLOCKS, and see what interesting thing I can create out of them!

Excuse me, now I’m going to go play with my BUILDING BLOCKS! 

This has been a Highlighted Helen moment…
Live life in A-MAZE-MENT!
www.lafolot.com
[This blog can also be seen at Vibrant Nation, a website for women over 50. It's full of wonderful information and sharing.]

Ha Ha Helen … living in the moment..

I just LOVE talking to toddlers; or should I say ‘let them talk AT me, ’cause I have NO clue what they are saying!’

I was at my favorite Thai Palace restaurant this evening. There was only another couple there with their two kids.  I like sitting off in one of the ‘warmer’ rooms – away from the cold windows.  Hence, older toddler/boy decided to allow his Spider Man automatic vehicle into the room where I was dining.

With no one else around, I just started talking/playing with him. His toy vehicle – with Spider Man at the wheel – was slowly making its way across the room towards the restrooms…

I was stating boldly – Go! Spider Man! Go! Go! Go!
This caused the little boy to start to Chatter away at me in Toddler Talk.  I have no clue what he was saying – BUT – I have become Quite Proficient in keeping conversations going with these beautiful souls.

I just Nod, Raise my eyebrows in total interest and wonder, interject an occassional ‘Oh! Is that right?’ or ‘WOW!’ or ‘Ohhh Myyyyyy?’ depending on the inflection or tone of the Toddler talk.

It seems to work, because they’re always satisfied and they keep on talking away.  This was the case with the toddler/boy.

His mom got up and stood in the archway from the other room. She started to ask him not to bother me.  I let her know it was OK, I was having fun!  She had heard me ask him a few times, if he knew the Spider Man song?  She was telling him to ‘respond to the lady’s question.’  He was so busy talking, he didn’t really care WHAT I was saying! hahahaha

So, I start to sing him the Spider Man song:  Spider Man, Spider Man, does whatever a spider can… spins a web, any size… etc etc.
He just looked at me in stunned silence. HAHAHAHAHA

The mom said: ‘The song is different now, that’s the one I know, too.’  I laughed and said: Oh! I guess you don’t know the old people Spider Man song. 

Well, it didn’t phase the toddler-boy, he just kept jibber-jabbering away.  The funny part was – he would present his talk directly TO me – with a very determined look – telling me ALL SORTS of things. 

Heck if I know what any of it was!  His mom smiled occassionally getting a kick out of it.

At one point, his little toddler sister, named Riley – came in to join him, as well as the dad.

Little toddler-boy came over with his Spider Man all-terrain vehicle and pointed to an area near the steering wheel asking: What’s this?
I said: It’s the steering wheel.

Well – he wouldn’t buy it – it wasn’t enough.  ‘No!’ he said, pointing to the area in the MIDDLE of the steering wheel; ‘this’.
I said: ‘OH! THAT’S THE SUPER SPIDER SHOOTER!’   [hey, he caught me off guard.  I thought I did pretty well.] ha ha

He said: ‘WHAT does it DO?’
I said: ‘It spits out sticky spider web stuff to grab the cars in front of him.’

He bought it!  Am I good or what!

ahahahahahahaa
The mom thanked me.  I said, ‘No problem! Since the kids don’t have to come home with me, I have no problem PLAYING along while they’re here!’

Then – they were on their merry way…

Toddler Talk…. it’s all GIBBERISH to me.

Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT
In the Moment….
Live Life! Laugh Often!
www.lafolot.com
[This blog can also be read at Vibrant Nation under blogging name: Helenoflafolot]