LAFOLOT

I wrote a book called: ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’. It’s ultimately about ‘appreciating life in ALL its forms of EXPRESSION.’ It’s about ‘being in AWE of it ALL!

What type of art do you like? Traditional, Impressionistic …

What type of music? Classical, Jazz, Contemporary, Rap…

Just as music, sculpture, oil paintings, pencil sketches or any other creative expression can take many forms; so does LIFE!

I mention, in my book, that I was talking to a woman at Bethany Towers one day. I encountered her in the lobby. She was having a little trouble opening a jar lid. She also happened to be in a wheelchair. She also happened to be fairly young. I smiled and started a conversation with her. I was there to conduct my HEALTHY HAPPY HOUR – Laughter Club.

I told her that ‘if she wanted help opening the jar’ – I would certainly try to assist – but that I was also AWARE to ‘allow her to ask for help’ rather than my ASSUMING that she needed it, just because we were physically diffierent in our abilities.

She smiled, we talked a bit – then she gave me the jar to see if I could open the lid.

I was talking to her about a Star Trek – Next Generation episode where: One of the crew had ‘fallen for’ an alien woman who was wheelchair bound. The reason she was in a wheelchair on their spaceship, was because her planet had no gravity; hence the occupants had no muscle mass. So, when he went to her ‘cabin’ – HE BECAME PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED, because she had no gravity in her cabin quarters – to suit HER needs. HE became AWKWARD – floating around awkwardly. On the OTHER hand – she became GRACEFUL – floating FREELY in air space – moving easily about.

It was an interesting episode – causing awareness in – ‘what is normal’? ‘what is average?’ ‘what is accepted as handicap or different?

As I talked to this woman who expressed life with physical and speech limitation in ‘our world’ – I told her I considered her A PICASSO.

I told her I feel we all express life SOMEWHAT LIKE ART! Some people are Traditional paintings

i.e., 2 arms, 2 legs, 1 head, all the basic body parts that we consider THE AVERAGE or THE NORM.

Then – there are those who express life as: PICASSOS! Daring TO BE DIFFERENT! Some folks ‘fade into the background’ as IMPRESSIONIST paintings, and it takes a BIT to FOCUS in on them. Some express as WATER COLORS, living a quiet, soft existence. Some are POP ART – with BRIGHT, LOUD COLORS – saying: I’M HERE! I’M ALIVE, NOTICE ME!

So what are you? How do YOU express life? I don’t need to know. I don’t need or mean to label -

my point is: It’s ALL just LIFE EXPRESSION – and we are ALL ‘magnificently, created WORKS OF ART!’

Step back, let go of the instant judgement and take a gander at the GALLERY OF ART walking around you today.

BEAUTIFUL! isn’t it?

Helen M Szollosy – expressing herself as Singer, Writer, Speaker, Author, OUTLOOK SHIFT ENGINEER!, Laughter Wellness Facilitator

Author: ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’ or Growing Up With The Embarrassment of Prejudice www.lafolot.com/books/

I had to laugh while DRIVING MYSELF HAPPY, yesterday!

We had been WARNED that ‘the end was near’!

As of 6:00pm California-time, May 21, 2011 -

the Rapture was to BE! (*hee hee!)

While driving down the road to get a bite to eat at Olive Garden Restaurant -
(I tried using THE RAPTURE as a reason to NOT have to PAY for my food –
but … they wouldn’t BUY it! *ha ha ha)

I saw a car license plate to the front and left lane of mine that started with the letters:

END #### (END!!!! OH NOOOOO!)

The car in front of me had a license plate with the first three letters:

HLP #### (HELLLLLLLP!)

THE END! (the rapture) HELLLLP!

Gotta LOVE how ‘nature’ brings a BIT O’ THE HUMOR into the silly antics of US HUMANS!

Are we all N.U.T.S. ??? (Not Understanding The Silliness)

Prior to that, I saw a license personalized license plate: KAT BARF

So, in the END, with a little HELP, we’ll all be able to LAUGH IT OFF!

From one silly human to others …

LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN! Life, it’s meant to be lived!
Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM
O.S.E. (Outlook Shift Engineer)
www.lafolot.com/drive-yourself-happy

When I was getting certified to become a laughter wellness leader; I had some wonderful classmates! One gentleman was retired; and just doing it for the FUN of it! He had found a Buddy in the class to hang out with, at the hotel.

He came to the 2nd day of training and told me: ‘Marvin’ had a problem with his room and we went to the desk for him to get it taken care of. The desk staff weren’t going to help him. So his good buddy ‘Jim’ uses HIS ASSERTIVE, FROM THE DIAPHRAGM voice and states:

DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?

‘Jim’ is laughing as he tells me, THEY FIXED MARVIN’S PROBLEM! LOL!

‘Jim’ said, I ACTUALLY had NOTHING to say after the phrase: DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?

I was just going to say: uh, Jim Smith *grin (I think ‘Jim’ discovered a new personal power within himself, at that moment!)

He had said it with SUCH AUTHORITY – the hotel staff MUST have felt he was SOMEONE IMPORTANT – or – someone associated with the hotel! LOL!

So, I am asking you, today (2/2/2011 a day filled with 2s), WHO ARE YOU?

Interesting question?

What is YOUR VALUE? WHO, WHO, WHO ARE YOU? Do you really wanna know? (to quote THE WHO).

I know I have FOUND parts of myself, I’m continuing to look as I grow, learn and discover –

WHO I AM!

Helen of WHOVILLE! a.k.a. Ha Ha Highlighted Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT

Living Life in AH! MAZEMENT!

Living BOLD and in ITALICS!

There’s something about getting a ‘gift’ tossed your way unexpectedly when you’re dealing with a lot of stress! Big Thank You of GRAT-I-TUDE (one of the things I teach that I need to learn) for an AH! MAZING! moment – WHERE? AT THE GAS PUMPS!

My tank was on empty, we had a couple ‘dumps’ of snow last evening and earlier in the day; I have a mother and sister in nursing and hospice care -

so what do I encounter when I finally get out to fill up my tank?

A man stops and smiles after paying for his fuel. He says: Are you a speaker? I answer ‘yes’ and ‘smile’ as I see that he’s noticed my magnetic car advertising.

To make a long story short – in addition – I’ve haven’t been able to keep up with my business handlings as well as I would have like; due to a lot of family needs surfacing (relocating my mom, closing down an apartment, closing out an assisted living apartment, etc.)

WHAT? Do I find in the small container I keep on the floor near my passenger seat (for business supplies) – A FULLY PACKED PAMPHLET about what I do! Miracle of Miracles! So he got to take a lot of information with him; in addition to what I shared face-to-face.

Somebody is watching out for me through all the ‘not fun stuff’ going on (which is one of the things I teach – how to work through or should I say RIDE through, more easily!)

AH! MAZING! Oh! Yes! and due to my radio commercial station forgetting to contact me regarding continuing my AD – they automatically offered me a FREE WEEK of Advertising!

AH! MAZING! Go figure! I certainly DO Live Life in AH! MAZEMENT! Have to shake my head side to side and smile and laugh over this day and this week!

AH! Yes! I can’t forget to mention the DRIVE MYSELF HAPPY moment I encountered, when I stopped at a shopping plaza parking lot; afterwards, and saw the license plate: JOYN-LIFE ‘Joy In Life?’ or ‘Join Life’ – no matter how you SEE it; it was a message gratefully received!

Full of it – GRATITUDE and AMAZEMENT, that is!

May you find – amidst some of the ‘overflowing piles of laundry of life situations’ – that you are being entertained by angels, unawares.

Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.com

Just in case you need a smile – I’m sharing one with you right now.

As a motivational, inspirational speaker – I look at life from different perspectives. It helps me, and this is what I teach, to look beyond appearances; and get out of ruts with set thinking.

Today’s date: January 24, 2011 also written as 1-24-2011 (mm-dd-ccyy format)

I say it’s the day to RESOLVE Issues and toss both arms straight up into the air and announce YES! YES! I am now moving forward and letting go of an old way of thinking about an issue!

WHY?

If you add the numbers in the date: 1 + 2 + 4 + 2 + 0 + 1 + 1 = 11

The first 5 numbers add up to 9. 9 added to any number cancels itself out – so the RESULT (RESOLUTION) is the remaining number to which it is was added.
In this case, 11!

So 9 ALLOWS us to RESOLVE to the two ones which can look like two arms reaching upward in a YES! I CAN RESOLVE ANY ISSUE ON WHICH I AM STUCK!

YES! I NOW SEE THIS ISSUE IN A NEW LIGHT, FROM A FRESH PERSPECTIVE!

YES! I CAN MOVE FORWARD!

YES! I SEE YOU ACCOMPLISHING THIS TODAY!

1-24-2011 a day of RESOLUTION!

W.O.W! It’s a WORLD OF WONDER!

Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM
Living BOLD and in Italics!
Living Life in AH! MAZE-MENT!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Toss those arms up in the air and Laugh, opening those lungs, taking in fresh air and release it with a healthy, laughing breath outward!

It’s RECOGNIZE THOSE IN SERVICE day or Military Marching Day!

I often share the interesting premonitions I have, that aren’t Earth shattering.

Well, after SEEING 20/20 yesterday – with the date: 1-20-2011 (do you see the 20-20 in the middle indicating the reading for perfect eyesight?)

I laughed when I thought today’s date: 1-21-2011 starts out, 1,2 1,2 I guess it’s like a military marching cadence -
one, two one, two left, right left, right etc.

So, when I went to double check I was seeing it clearly, to look at a Monthly/Daily personal events, white board calendar I have on my office wall – MY EYES WENT WIDE!

I fill out the blocks on this calendar at the beginning of each new month.

Notice on the photo I attached to this note. I PREMONITIONALLY???? is that a WOID? wrote:

18 – 19 – 20 – 20 – 22 and the next line is 23.

LOOKS like I was SEEing the 20-20 BEFORE the event ever occurred!
The THOUGHT just popped into my head yesterday morning.

hmmm…. I find it all INTERESTING is all I can say.

SEEing is BELIEVING! But I ‘COULDN’T BELIEVE MY EYES’ when I saw what I had done! So I’m sharing it all -
the WONDER of it all!

Have an INTERESTING DAY – KEEP IN STEP – 1, 2 1,2 … MARCH forward – Spring will be here before you know it!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM
Living Life in AH! MAZEMENT!
Live Life! Laugh Often! and STEP TO IT! KEEP IN LINE!

Today is January 20, 2011 – if you write the date as MM/DD/CCYY it ends up being SEEN as: PERFECT VISION DAY!

1-20-2011 – SEE the 20/20 in the middle!

It’s a great day to enVISION a PERFECT World on a PERFECT VISION DAY!

Well, I’ve been TELLING EVERYONE ABOUT IT! I SEE IT as a BEAUTIFUL thing!

So, when I went to lunch at YOUR PLACE – a local stromboli/pizzaria place – for their ‘low cost’ buffet I shared the information.

There is a WONDERFUL man there who works in the kitchen; but also keeps all the windows in the restaurant clean and clear. He creates perfect vision!

The first time I saw him as I was walking out; I said: YOU MISSED A SPOT! He laughed openly and smiled!

The 2nd time I saw him, he was cleaning a another window and I said: I’M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU YOU MISSED A SPOT THIS TIME!

He laughed openly and smiled.

TODAY! I saw him come out with his supplies. I said: Are you familiar with the term 20/20 meaning perfect eyesight?

He said yes.

I said: Do you know today’s date is 1-20-2011 – it has 20/20 in the middle and I’m declaring it PERFECT VISION DAY!

He laughed openly and smiled and said: YOU thought of that? That’s great!

I said: I’ve decided a GREAT nickname for YOU should be 20/20 man since YOU create PERFECT VISION for folks looking out the windows!

HE LOVED IT!

HERE’S TO enVISIONING A PERFECT DAY – NO MATTER WHAT DAY IT IS -

AND TO ’20/20 MAN!’ HELPING TO CREATE PERFECT VISION, EVERY DAY – HIMSELF!

Mr. 20/20 - a TRUE VISIONARY!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.com

Live Life! Laugh Often!

Living life in AH! MAZEMENT!

Living BOLD and in ITALICS! with a VISION OF PEACE and HEALTHY SOCIALIZATION IN THE WORLD!

My family is in the process of vacating my mom’s apartment, now that she’ll be in assisted living. She’s currently at a Rehabilitation facility, recovering from pneumonia. Here’s how to get through the stress with a smile and a chuckle.

PILLOWS AND CUSHIONS LIKE PLAYING ON THE ELEVATORS, TOO!

When I was entering my mom’s former apartment building (to meet the Salvation Army donation pickup folks) – there was a sports car parked with the license plate: V8 HAHA ;o) I’m thinking V8 cylinder engine and the driver is laughing about ‘eat my dust’. ;o)

It put a smile on my face!

When the Salvation Army truck arrived and the 2 guys decided to take the sofa and love seat loose cushions and throw pillows first; along with the 2 end tables …

the one guy pressed the HOLD button on the elevator; and they went back to get one more pillow and cushion. When I went out to follow them down from the 8th floor – they were both still standing outside the elevator.

It took me a few minutes, after I went to get on the 2nd elevator – to realize – THE DOORS HAD SHUT AND THE STUFF WENT DOWN ON ITS OWN- TO THE NEXT ‘CALLED’ FLOOR!

the HOLD button hadn’t worked! The guys were standing there helpless.
I told them I’d follow it down –
problem was – people trying to get on the FULL elevator with pillows/cushions/ tables – were stopping the elevator I was on – HA HA!

The one guy got on and said … there are … I SAID, I KNOW I KNOW – LOL! it’s mine … *smile

When I got to the lobby – there were other seniors socializing and talking. One woman hollers over: IS THAT YOUR STUFF…
I interrupted Yessss – It’s mine! LOL!

When I pressed the button to try to get the elevator to come back – the doors were just opening and a SMILING SALVATION ARMY guy was now on the elevator with the stuff!

IT WAS SO COMICAL – LIKE A SCENE OUT OF THE CAROL BRUNETT SHOW with Tim Conway!

Nothing like getting a GIGGLE when dealing with Family Stress (moving an 85 year old mom’s stuff who is currently in Rehab – recovering from pneumonia).

PRICELESS! The story – not the assisted living and medical care! *pfew!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.com
Live Life! Laugh Often! Even when the pillows and seat cushions decide to take a joy ride on the elevator!

It’s been a bit rough the past two weeks, with my being POA and nursing home rep for my 63 yr old sister who is now in a nursing home (she was hit by a drunk driver at age 19 resulting in permanent brain damage.) As well as, a mom (my younger sister is her rep/POA) coming down with pneumonia, just after another older sister assisted with getting my mom to assisted living.

I stopped into my favorite, local, family-owned THAI Palace restaurant Sunday evening. I like to sit at a booth in an inner room away from the cold windows and doors. Another couple was seated in that room, who had brough their (approx 8-10 month old) baby in her carrier.

As I was eating, they were trying to figure out what they wanted off the menu … I suddenly realized ONE EYE was staring at me from across the room – around the baby carrier handle edge. I looked over, it was a good 12 feet distance, and I smiled. SHE SMILED! (what GREAT EYE SIGHT!)

This quiet, casual play went on … and then the mom put down the handle. The litte baby SMILED big and giggled! I giggled/laughed/smiled back – just because I couldn’t help myself! She was PLAYING with ME from across the room! The mom looked over. I said, WOW, what great eye sight and a great laugh! She’s been ‘giving me the sneaky eye’ the whole time!

Well, then the little baby purposely shook her head side to side quickly back and forth and laughed out loud – as if performing for me! I had to laugh even more, it was hysterical! MY BLUES were starting to MELT at the interaction of this LITTLE LAUGHING ANGEL who had been sent to help me find my smile!

Then, she PULLED herself into a seated position and looked over and smiled and laughed easily. It was such a JOY! I was laughing harder now, it was amazing!

After about 10 minutes, I was done with my meal and I took one of my LAFOLOT Smiley Face bookmark business cards over. I said: ‘This isn’t for the baby – but I want you to know I’m a certified laughter leader, I’ve been having a rough time lately with family needs and I think this LAUGHING ANGEL was sent to help cheer me up; so I want to THANK YOU! I really needed it!’

The mom thanked me, the baby continued to smile and I left with laughter and a smile inside.

I think when we are down and out, if we pay a little attention – we may find a Glimmering, Glistening, Peek-a-boo eye, peering from around a corner or space, ready to help lift our spirits. Mine came in the shape of a rolly, polly bundle with a great giggle, glimmer and laugh.

Thanks to that Laughing Baby Angel -

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.com
Live Life! Laugh Often!

‘A Little Kindness goes a Long way …’ as well as a little giggle …

I got a call from a woman representing PA Retired State Employees (PARSE), yesterday. I am scheduled to give a talk on Laughter Wellness in February.

The woman introduced herself and said: I don’t know if you know this, but Betty Hummel – who originally talked to you about our February meeting – died in December of cancer.

WHAT A SHOCK! I had just met Betty at a Business Womens’ meeting a few months ago. Betty approached me after I did my laughter wellness talk; loved it and asked if I’d come to a PARSE meeting (it paid decently). She had a great smile, was easy to talk to and MADE ME FEEL SPECIAL and PRICELESS! I had talked with her on the phone and exchanged a couple e-mails to coordinate the event. She MADE IT EASY.

Well, the woman who called me had found out by accident when she called the Betty’s number. This woman then worked with the family to pass over Betty’s notes. This woman said Betty had kept detailed notes and all the items we discussed were in a folder.

While I only met Betty for less than 5 minutes – she will be remembered by me as long as I have memory. Just like Mary Kopp, who I meantion in my Bea Gaude’ Youtube video – Betty was a BRIEF BLIP OF A PASSING in my life – but made me feel like a MILLION by appreciating, approaching and SMILING her way into my heart – for that moment.

I will dedicate that PARSE presentation and her POSITIVE PERSONALITY and Winning Smile.

I posted a longer note about it on Facebook. I was bummed when I thought no one had read it. I got up this morning and saw a note from a FB connection who said: ‘I was meant to read this. I have stage 3 breast cancer and I leave everyone I meet with a SMILE…’

I work with a lot of seniors in this Laughter Leader/Motivational Speaker and Singer profession. While it is difficult finding out that a new ‘friend’ has passed; I am grateful for having met them for the blip of a moment out of their lives.

GRATEFUL for having met BETTY HUMMEL!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.com
LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!