Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.

Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.

MEMORIZED Childhood memories carry with us into our twilight years. I’ve found this when doing laughter wellness programs for dimentia units. I just focus on their MEMORIZED Childhood rhymes and they ‘flow and glow’ right along with me! NO STRESS!

A doctor told my mom she had 3 hours to 3 days to live, A YEAR AND A MONTH ago. Gotta laugh! It all worked out, because she was clearheaded and able to make all her requests and plans – one being that she go into Hospice. She tends to ask – what am I doing in here? When I refresh her memory – we have a good chuckle over DOCTORS! *What do THEY know! EveryBODY doesn’t follow what is ‘BOOK-LEARNED’. LOL!

She can chuckle, because she was a nurse trained around World War 2. A tough cookie, with a sense of humor, who always wanted to be the next Shirley Temple! She always talked about the fact that ‘others would stay away’ from the hospital residents that were dying … but she chose to sit with them. She wasn’t afraid of death.

So it’s easy to visit, because she knows and feels death is a part of life – and in the end – you JUST GOTTA LAUGH at the way it flirts with you and says … nope – NOT YET! … you’ve got another SUNSET!

Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT.com
Outlook Shift Engineer! Hear! Here!
… looking at LIFE and DEATH … as ALL A PART OF LIFE! … same thing … just like the tides … in and out …a process…

I think we need to find a LESS MESSY way to BIRTH into this world and MAKE OUR STAGE EXIT … maybe if we put the question out on Facebook? *ba dump bump …

I started a Facebook page to make THE WORLD ‘AH! Ware’ of my simple, healthy socialization, self-esteem booster, personal recognition and highlighting tool!

HA HA HELEN’S SMILE CAMPAIGN GAME! LIGHT THE WORLD WITH SMILE POWER! SPREAD SMILES BY THE MILES!

When I was at a local SUBWAY for lunch, today; I happened to slightly turn to the right with a slight smile on my face, and a gentleman sitting at a table nodded to give me RECOGNITION!
2 points! I thought! Wow! MADE MY DAY! He had on a blue lab smock commonly worn in the medical profession.

After the Expert Sandwich Makers made my ‘MEAL DEAL’, I sat down in a booth. I immediately got out one of my Yellow LAFOLOT.com Bookmarks (with the SMILE GAME noted on the back) and walked over to his table.

I said: ‘Here! I’m a local Health & Wellness professional, and I have a SMILE GAME I play. I just wanted you to know, when you nodded and acknowledged me, you gave me ONE POINT! Thank you!’

I told him more about the healthy socialization simple tools I give people as well as the motivational speaking I do. I told him, they may seem fun, silly and a light-hearted – but there’s a REAL SCIENCE to it all, and it works! I’m a professional OUTLOOK SHIFT ENGINEER!

He then told me how he recently opened LabSolutions Inc., on Hartzdale Drive in Camp Hill, PA 717 810-8030 ( labsolutions1@gmail.com ). He said: I am passionate about my business, but I don’t have customers! I told him I network a lot and belong to the Mechanicsburg Chamber of Commerce.

I asked him if he had tried any marketing and advertising? I gave him some general ideas and tips and then I referred him to Ann Marie Brandt of TEAM BRANDT Marketing. He looked it up on his smartphone.

He was very passionate about his ‘family-oriented, friendly, casual environment and personalized approach to his Lab. He even noted he ‘makes house calls!’

I offered my servers as a ‘character-health and wellness event’ promoter – such as a parking lot – tent event, to bring awareness to his Lab. I noted maybe a bar-b-que and healthy laughter since it does the body good and makes for HEALTHIER BLOOD! He liked the ideas!

He left SMILING, after he shook my hand and I said: WHERE are your BUSINESS CARDS? He had to go out and get a business flyer from his vehicle.

SMILING and NETWORKING works! A LITTLE KINDNESS GOES A LONG WAY…
What will come of it? WHO knows? and – let me tell you – “WHO” – whoever “WHO” is … seems to KNOW A LOT!

Working it and SPEADING SMILES BY THE MILES as I ‘LIGHT THE WORLD WITH SMILE POWER!’

Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT.com
Live Life! Laugh Often!
PLAY the SMILE GAME – let me know how many points you’ve earned in a day!

It’s the middle of winter 2011-12 in Central PA, USA. It is 56 degrees fahrenheit! That’s SPRING weather in my neck of the woods!

I stepped away from my home office computer, and stepped out of the house to SOAK UP THE SUN!
Get my blood flowing through my veins.
Get some exercise.
Take in the fresh air, blue skies and JUST BE!

I encountered a Bush-full of Birdies TOYING with a nearby black cat. He (I’m assuming due to the size) caught my eye, meowed and I invited him over by calling out HELLO! KITTY! He came bounding over to me, greeting me ‘CAT STYLE’ and rolled over for me to pet him! He appeared very healthy, and to belong to a nearby home. He even let out a few MEOWS to chat a bit.

I continued on my walk, smiling and singing in my head ‘WALKING ‘in’ SUNSHINE … oh yeah … and DON’T IT FEEL GOOD!’ .. to paraphrase Katrina and the Waves.

As I came around the bend in my housing community, I saw the school bus dropping off some kids. I eventually encountered them and HAD TO SMILE, as the two pre-teen girls had on shorts, a sleeveless top and had taken off their lightweight jackets.

I said: ‘HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS SPRING WEATHER! I’M 52 AND DON’T RECALL A WINTER SO MILD AS THIS IN ALL MY YEARS!’

The one girl responded as they passed: ‘YEAHBUT, IT’S SUPPOSED TO GET COLD IN FEBRUARY!’

‘STAY FOCUSED ON THE PRESENT, IT’S A GIFT!’ I just had to call back to them, as I shook my head side-to-side. They were only teens and had picked up the familiar follow-up phrase of doom and gloom and dread …. ‘THINGS MAY BE OKAY NOW – BUT JUST YOU WAIT!’

‘YEAHBUT’ isn’t a word. How about RELEARNING and RETEACHING our children: IT’S OKAY TO ENJOY THE PRESENT! IT’S A GIFT!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM
OUTLOOK SHIFT ENGINEER! Hear! Here!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
rePHRESHing your thinking with HEALTHY OUTLOOKS!

LIGHT THE WORLD WITH SMILE POWER!

Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT.com

OUTLOOK SHIFT ENGINEER! Hear! Here!

Live Life! Laugh Often!

I said: “WHAT!?” I looked around, thinking it was the Manager, or the server, or another server – since they know me from dining there frequently.

Then the server indicated towards an empty booth near the window. She said: “It was the family who had been dining over there.” She was smiling.

I said: ‘WOW! My heart is TOUCHED!’ … ‘I wish I could have thanked them! … I’ll have to BLOG about it!’ She smiled and nodded, a warmth in her eyes as they twinkled.

WOW! I told her: ‘I have to laugh! People see me dining alone and sometimes feel sorry for me. I LOVE to go places on my own! I like meeting people! I’ve gone on a cruise and other vacations on my own; because I enjoy meeting people and am a free spirit!’ She agreed, and said she is the same way.

I had been ‘playing’ with customers with kids as they came in the door of the restaurant, by putting on my clown nose as they walked in.

I had to laugh! I had ordered a SENIOR menu item (they allow it at this restaurant, even though I’m 52). The cost is less and I don’t eat a lot. I had just ordered a FISHAMAJIG! But, I have to tell you – it’s the MOST PRICELESS Fishamajig I’ve ever had!

I am truly heart-warmed by THE THOUGHT that went through this family’s mind and heart as they MADE THAT DECISION. I noticed they had a little boy with them, around age 6 to 8 years. What a WONDERFUL lesson, a priceless lesson they taught that child!

What a WONDERFUL gift of WARMTH and GOOD-HEALTH they gave themselves by this PRICELESS act!

I was ‘where I wanted to be’, ‘doing what I wanted to do’, ‘being, where I wanted to be’ …freely being me – and I GOT MY MEAL FOR FREE! TEE HEE HEE!

I’m sending out a positive thought, positive prayer and gratitude and warmth towards this beautiful, kind family.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM
Outlook Shift Engineer! Hear! Here!

As I walked down the main aisle, I saw a woman ‘SIGNING’ with one hand as she
held her ‘Wireless Device’ out from her.

I love talking to everyone and anyone when I am out and about. I have learned
how to say: Hello, Goodbye, How Are You? and Thank You! in many different
languages and dialects. I like to let people know, I’m willing to take a step
over the barrier to learn more about their culture, etc.

When I saw this woman, there was NO BARRIER, (I have a cousin who is Deaf and
I’ve learned the Alphabet and a FEW signs). I wasn’t READING what she was
saying, because I don’t know enough to be able to do that – and it would have
been an invasion of privacy. For anyone who is concerned.

I walked toward her in AH! MAZEMENT! of this wonderful device – and signed: H,
I (HI!) I indicated I was going to SAY HELLO to her friend on the phone. She
noted they had hung up.

I signed: MY COUSIN IS DEAF (I use this opening line when approaching someone
sho is signing, so they know I can speak, hear and that they may know my cousin
from their community meetings, of which I’m aware.)

We ‘talked a little bit’ – She knew I couldn’t sign MUCH. She helped me with a
few signs. She showed me her ‘phone’ – that there is a new APP known as TANGO
that allows someone who is deaf – to get a FULL SCREEN conversation window – in
order to communicate just as a speaking/hearing person would with a cell phone,
etc.

She was very excited, as was I! We communicated with BIG FACIAL expressions and
minimal signing – she read my lips as I spoke -

I agreed that I was AH! MAZED! Why? Prior to personal computers and e-mails -
the deaf community had to use an oversized, bulky machine in the home known as a
TTY. It limited communication; because of not being able to use phone for voice
communication.

I KNEW INSTANTLY – WHY she was SO EXCITED!

HOW WONDERFUL! This DEVICE – courtesy of Steve Jobs and those in the wireless
technology field – have now:

Brought the Deaf Community and the Hearing/Speaking community TOGETHER -
HEALTHILY – SOCIALLY with this WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL DEVICE!

I had been concerned that cell phones, texting, etc. were creating an
ANTI-SOCIAL atmosphere – taking away proper grammar, developing an entire new
language of TEXTING – etc…

and – once again – I’m learning to BE FLEXIBLE and GROW ALONG WITH IT – seeing
how these WONDERFUL CHANGES are BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER who would not have been able to communicate, before?

Since computers and e-mails – I can now – easily communicate with my cousin, NO
PROBLEM!

and now – we can TANGO! DANCE! and communicate VISUALLY via wireless devices
that allow the DEAF community to wirelessly communicate on the run!

I AM SO EXCITED BY ALL THIS! TALK ABOUT BRINGING THE WORLD TOGETHER!
FEEL THE TINGLE AND THE EXCITEMENT!

Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT.com (Outlook Shift Engineer!) typing with a smile and a big laugh out loud in her heart – IMAGINE THE BEAUTY OF IT ALL!

It’s been a year of challenges, frustrations, and dissapointment – HOLDING ON – knowing that SEEDS have been planted and are GERMINATING – ready to BLOSSOM and grow my LAFOLOT.COM business. I AFFIRM THIS!

I have newly title myself: OUTLOOK SHIFT ENGINEER! If the TITLE fits, WEAR it!

Heres the AH! MAZING! NARRATIVE of KONTAGIOUS KINDNESS events and OUTLOOK SHIFTS since yesterday!

I had a dental appointment yesterday morning at which I received a coupon attached to an 8 1/2 inch sheet of paper. I was ‘dissapointed’ because I thought the dental hygenist said she would give me a coupon for anti-bacterial mouthwash – all I saw was a coupon for dental floss. But I chose to be grateful.

OUTLOOK SHIFT: I took the coupon sheet to the grocery store, and when I went to fold and tear the coupon at the perforation; I FOUND OUT THERE WAS PRINTING ON THE BACK – and THAT’s where the mouthwash coupon was! SILLY ME! It just took an OUTLOOK shift to discover THE GIFT! When I used the coupon, the grocery store DOUBLED it’s value and the coupon maching SPIT OUT (no pun intended re: the mouthwash) – ANOTHER $1.00 off coupon for the same produce – not expiring for 3 months! Woo Hoo!

Last evening, after leaving my mom’s hospice room and having to help her eat (this is not easy for me emotionally nor physically) – I stopped at a local 7-11 Convenience store to pick up a Hotdog and Fritos for dinner. The owner of the store knows me as a frequent customer. HE GAVE ME THE HOTDOG FOR FREE! What a kindness! We never know what people are experiencing in their lives – that GESTURE was PRICELESS!

I got up this morning and sang my own made-up song, chants about everything I was grateful for. The shower, the water, my hair-blow dryer, etc etc.

When I went to visit my sister in her nursing home I found an older couple sitting near the lobby front door. Even though it was 10 A.M. – he kept greeting everyone with GOOD AFTERNOON because he thought it was funny! I had my clown nose with me – so I put it on and he and his wife laughed!

When I went down the hall towards my sister’s room – the PHYSICAL THERAPY staff were helping a senior woman go through Plastic Cones – to learn how to maneuvre her walker. They said: OH NO! YOU CAN’T JUST WALK BY! YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE CONES! I slipped my clown nose out of my pocket – put it on my face and OBLIGED! They laughed and thanked me.

I found my sister, relaxed, content and resting on her bed. She was happy to get her wristwatch back after a recent stay in the hospital. We had a nice visit.

On my way out, I told her PHYSIATRIST that I ‘VALUED’ his intentions and actions in trying to assist my sister with her mobility, etc. I hear THE HOKEY POKEY being played on a piano and followed the music into a senior/group event being held by two women (one singing, one playing the piano). With my clown nose, I entered the event and they stopped and smiled. They allowed me to join in and physically do the hockey pockey for them – while it was replayed.

I left the building feeling good about having entered with a positive outlook shift – my family having been challenged recently re: my sister’s care.

When I got to the grocery store after that – I saw A FANTASTIC deal on a HUGE SIZE box of cat litter. I’m really hurting financially – so it would have been a good buy – but TOO HEAVY for me to lift. I said that out loud in the aisle – JOKINGLY – and another woman shopper – without skipping a beat – LIFTED THE HUGE BOX OF LITTER INTO MY SHOPPING CART!

I told her I have on my website: A LITTLE KINDNESS GOES A LONG WAY! She had done a great service and unexpected kindness for me! I gave her 3 LAFOLOT bookmarks. She was thrilled because she had just bought a book at a 2nd hand book store! Since I work at this store, I mentioned HER KINDNESS to one of the management and they said they would offer her a discount coupon for having helped me!

KINDNESS IS KONTAGIOUS!
You never know when THAT SMALL GESTURE is helping someone with BIG BURDENS in their life.

Thanks to ALL THE ANGELS that presented themselves to me this past week! Sending thoughts of healthy laughter and smiles out to all!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM
OUTLOOK SHIFT ENGINEER!

I had stopped into a local SUBWAY owned by a business connection, Kathy George. For a Sunday, there was a crowd! I frequent this SUBWAY because Kathy’s manager, Alicia, put my HA HA HELEN of LAFOLOT picture on an 8 1/2 x 11 poster to help promote HEALTHY LAUGHTER along with SUBWAY’s Healthy Eating!

There was a couple with their daughter and her friend, in the line in front of me. The ‘girls’ were having fun picking out their sandwhich combinations. The daughter had on fun toe nail polish and had painted one foot! They were fun, free spirits! I loved it! They were SO POLITE! The daughter took time to ‘apologize’ to me for holding up the line! WHAT A GREAT SOUL! A TEENAGER! I said: ‘No problem! I’m in no hurry! Besides – THAT’S MY PHOTO UP THERE ON THE SIGN BY THE DOOR!

I pulled a couple bright yellow, LAFOLOT bookmarks out of my purse and gave one to the girl and her friend. I noted: I’m HA HA HELEN and on the back of the bookmark, it explains my SMILE CAMPAIGN! I told them: Whenever I give a smile and someone smiles back, I GIVE MYSELF A POINT! They smiled/laughed/thanked me and moved on.

After they paid, I made sure to tell ‘the mom’ I had given them bookmarks and gave her one so she would know where they got theirs, etc.

They family sat down to finish their sandwhiches. As they got up to leave, I smiled at the girl who smiled back. Her friend was directly behind her. The young girl stated loudly: I GOT ONE POINT!

W.O.W!!! My whole world lit up! My whole day had been turned around! I sat there in AH! MAZEMENT! with the BRIGHTEST SMILE ON MY FACE!

Without going into detail – I and other members of my family are very stressed at the moment dealing with a mom in hospice as well as an older, brain damaged sister in crisis.

This PRICELESS, SPECIAL MOMENT TURNED IT AROUND! I just SAT there in AWE!

I sometimes question, struggling financially at the moment, whether I should just CHUCK it all and go back to a cubicle job to pay off debt, bills, etc.

Then – something like this happens and I realize I’m following my PURPOSE!

As I walked to my car (LAFOLOT MOBILE) – I had to walk past the family’s SUV as ‘the mom’ was getting in the vehicle. I saw ‘the dad’s’ face and I SMILED! He smiled back. The back windows were open where the two girls were sitting.

I ANNOUNCED: ONE POINT!

As I made my way around the vehicle to get to my car – the back window rolled down and the daughter smiled at me announcing: I’M UP TO FIVE POINTS!

What can I say! I HAD SOLD HER ON THE BEAUTY OF THE IDEA! SHE APPROVED OF THE HA HA HELEN SMILE CAMPAIGN – POINTS GAME!

I told her: Do you want to know what I do with all my points? On a day when I can’t find my smile; and someone smiles at me first – KA CHING! I CASH THEM IN! She smiled broadly at the idea as they drove away.

ONE POINT! I THOUGHT! – and I let out a loud YES! YAHOO! YEAHHHH! WITH A BIG SMILE – AS I DROVE AWAY!

HA HA HELEN Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM – OUTLOOK SHIFT ENGINEER!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Lighting up the world – ONE SMILE AT A TIME!
Join HA HA HELEN’S SMILE CAMPAIGN! E-MAIL ME AND TELL ME ABOUT YOUR RESULTS!
IT DOESN’T COST ANYTHING! JUST SHARE YOUR SMILES!

In an effort to downsize and focus more on my LAFOLOT.COM business; I accidentally incurred a $13,717.00 tax debt to the IRS, State and Local municipalities!

Outllook shift! I have such excellent credit, I was able to instantly get the loans needed through my credit union to pay the debt, with great interest rates! YES!

Outlook shift! I recent aquired 2 separate part-time jobs; which are enabling me to stay ahead of the debt! YES! Outlook shift! continued … the one job is SO flexible – as long as I put in a specific number of hours each week; I can work them around my LAFOLOT.com gig schedule! YES!

Outlook shift! My one job didn’t give me the expected number of work hours this week. I was momentarily blindsided; but when I went into my OTHER – limited hours – parttime job this week! YES! OUTLOOK SHIFT! The CEO of the company was coming to visit the next day; so the manager ASKED if I could put in ADDITIONAL hours to help ready the store! YES!

Outlook shift! After putting in 5 hours at my parttime job today, upon arriving home – with dark, rain clouds looming overhead, I commented to a neighbor: ‘I FORGOT I had hung out my laundry! I’d better go bring it in!’ I had to walk to get my mail; then unload groceries from my car; headed out the back door; went to take the laundry off the line and – JUST AS I WAS TAKING DOWN THE LAST FEW ITEMS! The RAINDROPS started!

Perfection in motion! What TIMING!
Lookout! It’s Life! With a PHRESH OUTLOOK!

Need to orchestrate/engineer an Outlook Shift? Just contact Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOFOL.COM!

Living Life in Ah! Mazement! What a DAY OF PERFECTION IN MOTION!

Live Life! Laugh Often!
Ha Ha Helen Szollosy
www.lafolot.com

So, I gave it my all! After I was done, I mingled with the senior residents a bit and met a woman named MAXINE. Yes! Maxine! I could have SWORN she was the MAXINE the cartoon is modeled after! What a W.O.W! Woman of Wonder!

I note at the top of my website: ‘A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way …’ Well, MAXINE was not only a spunky, W.O.W. woman; but full of compliments and kindness!

Maxine was just visiting for the day. She had come by to spend time with her husband, who is a resident there, and to ENJOY THE Helen of Lafolot show!

Maxine informed me she had taken piano, and voice lessons for a good many years and later BECAME a voice teacher. So, when I walked over and Maxine FREELY piped up: ‘You have a BEAUTIFUL voice! You have a very BROAD range!’ I was dumb struck!

I said to Maxine – WOW! YOU not only MADE MY DAY – you MADE MY LIFE! She responded with a smile and further affirmation. When she told me her background; I told her about my ‘little kindess goes a long way’ affirmation. I told her I had been feeling doubtful about my talents and struggling with ‘getting gigs’. I told her it meant SO MUCH that she had felt free to TELL ME how she felt about my singing.

Then she said: ‘I TELL IT LIKE IT IS!’ A TRUE Maxine!

I told her of other meetings I had with people where I had only met them for a matter of seconds or minutes; and how they had GREATLY impacted my life. I told her about Mary Cop – the Cart Lady from Harrisburg – another W.O.W.! woman I talk about in my Bea Gaude’ video. I told her about another woman I had met, who recently died of cancer. When I had met this woman months before, she never mentioned she had cancer. She was full of kindess and praise and booked me for an event! I didn’t find out till December that she had passed. I wrote a blog about her. She left a lasting impression on me, just from a few minute meeting!

I let her know I would never forget her. We talked about how we can go through our entire lives not knowing how STRONGLY we impacted another life. I wanted her to know she had made a big impact on me!

Here’s to all the MAXINE’s in the world who TELL IT LIKE IT IS!

May you be FREELY FLOWING with your compliments and have an instant impact on all those you meet, in a positive way! Just like MAXINE!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT.COM
O.S.E. – Outlook Shift Engineer
Living Life in AH! MAZEMENT!
Live Life! Laugh Often!