LAFOLOT

Part II – how it all started and showed me the POWER of a SMILE!

One story I didn’t include in my blog, yesterday. I had ‘stood up’ to a powerful
management/uniformed/gun toting figure at a meeting where I used to work
(policing agency) I ‘spoke up’ in a sexual harrassment training session when he
made fun of some point. He then ordered me to leave.

Well – things got hairy, even though I had many supporters, but too many were
afraid to speak up, understandably!

A few weeks later, I encountered him exiting an elevator. He saw me, dropped
his head and was ready to walk on -

BUT – a funny thing happened. I decided to just give him one of my closed mouth
smiles – he saw it – his entire body, shoulders and face lifted, brightened,
lightened up!

I had decided we had agreed to disagree and there was no point in allowing it to
drag us both down. I could see the RELIEF on his face – this high
level/uniformed/powerful man who had ‘shrunk himself down and dropped his
head’… THE POWER OF THAT SMILE – what POWER it had to dissipate anger.

That’s why my SMILE CAMPAIGN is so personal and means so much to me.

thank you for allowing me to share … ;o)

Highlighted – Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Spread those SMILES by the MILES and watch how the power of a soft smile can dissipate anger.
www.lafolot.com/smile-campaign/
[this post can also be seen at VIBRANT NATION blog: Helenoflafolot]

Did you know there is a ‘Law of Average’ or Standards? It applies in Interior Design, when drafting and indicating counter heights, seat heights, ceiling heights, etc. It applies in school systems, noting whether we fall above or below average on a grading scale. It applies when a child is born, relating to their height, weight or mental/emotional capacity.

I write in my book, ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’, that we may tend to unknowingly show bias or prejudice, and the best way to deal with it is talk openly. I suggest asking questions and becoming more familiar with cultures, non-average folks so that we may educate ourselves and break down barriers.

Yesterday, I had another ‘OOOPS I DID IT AGAIN!’ moment relating to making an ‘Assumption’ about another human being. Luckily, I was able to talk openly and educate myself, thank goodness!

I was sat at a booth at a local restaurant. About 6 feet across from me, in another booth, was a family consisting of the mom, dad, and two young boys. I already knew what I wanted, so I was just staring off into space. I suddenly noticed ‘more movement’ out of my left eye. The one boy was ‘playing peek-a-boo’ with me! I LOVE playing with kids when they initiate play out in public, being bored with their families. Babies do this a lot, by looking away from their parents and observiing with big, wide eyed looks as they absorb all the ‘new stuff’ they are seeing and experiencing.

So, my first thought was: ‘this boy seems too old to be playing peek-a-boo, but I’ll go along since he is having fun!’ So I put some silly grins on my face, he ducks and hides behind his daddy.
He pops his head out again, and I give him a wide open-eyed look! He ducks and hides.
He makes another appearance and I hide my face with the menu. He is giggling, hiding, popping up, and smiling.
Life gets too serious, too fast – so I love doing my part to allow kids to be kids and have fun!

All the while, I’m thinking – FOR THIS KID’S HEIGHT (here I go with my assumption and LAW OF AVERAGE), he seems to be a 7 or 8 year old playing PEEK-A-BOO like a little two year old!

Well, I’ve had many opportunities to assist parents with crying toddlers by offering them one of my SMILEY Face bookmarks. When the child sees it, their face lights up and they get curious. It usually stops them from crying.
So, in this case, even though this was a happy BOBBING, PEEK-A-BOO child, I offered him a SMILEY Face bookmark (actually my business card), and gave him an extra for his brother. The parents thanked me, and we went back to our own table space.

A little later, I asked the boy (who I ASSUMED was about 7 or 8 years old), ‘did you READ the back of the bookmark?’
[It has wonderful positive statements about having a fun, healthy outlook on life.]
The mother looked over and said:

HE’S ONLY 4, HE DOESN’T READ YET. [There's the LAW OF AVERAGE!] I ASSUMED he was older, even though I thought his behavior a bit juvenile! This child was almost 4 feet tall and was 4 years old!

I could have smacked myself. I said to the mother: ‘My he’s tall for his age!’ [COULD SOMEONE STUFF A SOCK IN MY MOUTH!]

We are all so unique and beautiful, but we have this LAW OF AVERAGE on which everything is based. I got treated differently because I was short, fat and female – when I worked in a technological environment. My age also came into play due to the field in which I worked. I talk a lot about this LAW OF AVERAGE in my book, by giving examples of scenarios experienced by friends.

I am making a judgement about myself. My book is about AWARENESS and Appreciating Life in All its Forms of Expression. I just had another dose of, ‘step out of your Law of Average awareness and open your mind to other possibilities’ Helen. I’m glad the mother was comfortable enough to talk with me. I’m glad the boy was COMFORTABLE enough with himself to feel free to PLAY LIKE A FOUR YEAR OLD even though people may see him as a seven or eight year old.

Like Forest Gump said, ‘Life is like a box of chocolates’ – there’s a wide variety, full of wonderful flavors. Life is a Song in the Key of Love, full of wonderful variations on musical themes, with a wonderful mix of musical notes.

I got to HEAR THE SOUND of a TALL FOUR YEAR OLD while he MOVED FREELY in life, BOBBING up and down, around his daddy, feeling free to play PEEK A BOO with an over 50, menopausal women.

He held no bias towards me! He just saw a PLAY PAL – not a short, fat, 51 year old, menopausal woman!

Thank you beautiful four year old boy for accepting me as I am and showing me how to do the same. Angels come in ALL SHAPES AND SIZES!

Highlighted Helen of LAFOLOT
Be in AWE of it ALL!
Make Life a Song!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog may also be seen at Vibrant Nation under blogger 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

Friends and family have been encouraging me to put my creative characters and motivational/inspirational messages out on You Tube.

I talk about appreciating life in ALL its forms of expression; being in AWE of it ALL!

I have been hearing back from women, men and teens all over the world about their appreciation of my self-expression in video and blog form.

It’s funny, because I look at the videos and photos and see a short, fat, woman with no lips, a big menopausal abdomen, large forearms and gobble gobble neck –

BUT! When folks see me they say: YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!

So I KEEP ON spreading my message of ACCEPT LIFE in ALL its forms of expression –

don’t crawl into a hole because you don’t FIT THE NORM.

GET OUT THERE AND BE THE ‘ME’ YOU WERE MEANT TO BE!

Here’s my Creative, Menopausal Woman over 50 video I submitted to The ELLEN Show for her: Write a World Domination Theme Song contest.

Not bad for a White Hungarian Rapper? My darker complected friends get a kick out of my rhythm and rapping abilities! I get it from my HUNGARIAN ANCESTORS!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2Gm37ku7zw

I hope you can get to the video link, above! If not, my channel on You Tube is HELENOFLAFOLOT – just type it in the search box and look for the video called: DomEducate

I’M VERY PROUD OF IT!

Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Live Life! Laugh Often! (Live in AWE of it ALL! and Make Life a Song!)
www.lafolot.com
This blog can also be seen at Vibrant Nation under blog circle name: Helenoflafolot

This is not a whiny blog about pity me childhood stuff; but a discussion on personal-awareness of views placed on new lives/souls being born into this world. ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’ – be in AWE of it all, respect life in all its forms of expression; and make life a song!

Labels I’ve heard:

Your head is BIG! – You can’t wear your hair short – Your eyes are too close set. [I felt bad about my looks.]
You’re big boned – you wear a size X. [When I see my childhood photos, I look very thin?]
You have a Wide foot, D-width. [I picked clunky, boring shoes.]
You don’t want to dress like those snobby girls. [when given the chance to pick a flower print or plain-striped dress - I chose the plain-striped dress - which I really disliked.]
Oh! You got placed in those honors classes – that’s where all the snobby kids are. [As a result, I asked to be placed in the next lower level, so I wouldn't be seen as snobby - rather than challenging my mind.]
You’re too quiet, cat got your tongue? [as a result, I talked less!]

I CRINGE when I hear new parents tell me:
My child or my grandchild is in the Such-and-Such National Percentile.
The ‘Doctor’ says he/she is TOO short, TOO tall, TOO small etc COMPARED TO other children at that age.

I hear these labels announced loudly and clearly in FRONT OF toddlers (I remember comments made about me at age 4!)

I understand the need to be aware of certain physical and mental development issues in order to provide treatment or education at an early age, where it is available; to improve the quality of life.

At WHAT point do we let the child know: YOU’RE OKAY JUST THE WAY YOU ARE!

When we keep hearing, as children, everything that is WRONG with us; that we don’t fit the NORM – our self-esteem goes crashing into the ground or never gets developed.

Someone sent me an e-mail of groups of people from all over the world. I think it had to do with wealth. What I noticed. The people I was taught appeared to be poorest and lacking; HAD THE BIGGEST SMILES AND BRIGHTEST LIGHT in their eyes!

I am not saying to not get your teeth straightened or eyes or hearing corrected, or anything else that may improve the quality of your life! Good hygiene makes for a happier, healthier life. Just don’t do this because you want to FIT IN with the NORM, the AVERAGE.

I went to a hairstylist about 10 years ago and said: ‘I was told I can’t wear my hair short with my ears cut out; because my head is big and my ears are too big.’ She said: ‘I don’t think that’s true at all, let’s try it.’ Well, check out my photo on my website, I think she was right! My head is just PERFECT as well as my ears!

DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY and tell a beautiful new soul that’s recently arrived in this world; YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL, YOU’RE PERFECT – JUST THE WAY YOU ARE! Children observe, hear and hold onto what they are told from a very early age – fill them with thoughtful words not of judgement, but of acceptance. Share this philosophy with their siblings. Compliment them on their uniqueness, and perhaps we’ll start growing some healthy, self-loved teens and adults.

There’s no need for a world of clones. I’m 5 feet 2 inches; when I go grocery shopping, I openly ask anyone taller than me for help with reaching items on the top shelves. After the kindness is done for me, I tell them to come and get me if they need anything from the lower grocery shelves, since I don’t have to reach down as far!

VARIETY is the SPICE of Life! Don’t LABEL and JUDGE rather APPRECIATE the DIVERSITY! This allows us to be of more HELP to one another, due to our differences in mental, physical, and emotional ability.

There’s a story of the difference between heaven and hell. Hell is a bunch of people with very long arms with spoons as hands, all sitting around a bowl of soup, starving; because they can’t put the soup in their mouths due to the long arms.

Heaven is a bunch of people with very long arms with spoons as hands, all sitting around a bowl of soup, healthy and happy; because they are feeding one another.

Let’s feed one another with appreciation, acceptance, tolerance, respect and Make Life a Song!

Highlighted Helen of LAFOLOT
Live life in a-MAZE-ment!
Make Life a Song!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog may also be read at Vibrant Nation under Blog Circle name: Helenoflafolot]

Allow me to introduce a character I created called: Bea Gaude’ (pronounced Gaw-day), Fashion Consultant.
Bea was created when Ha Ha Helen was invited to a Halloween party and she didn’t have a costume. Helen threw together mismatched items from her closet, put on cat glasses, created business cards went to the party. Bea was a big hit!

Perhaps it was her floral print skirt, with her plaid jacket and woven tapestry print purse. Either way, Bea came to BE!

Bea is PURE PERFECTION!

What IS perfect, anyway? Bea is here, in my latest video blog, to set you on the path to BEing the YOU, you were meant to be.

If someone approaches and tells you, ‘You Don’t Fit In!’ respond: THANK YOU!

Be a trend setter, be yourself! P-E-R-F-E-C-T, perfect is what it means to ME, says BEA!

If needed, copy and paste this web link: http://www.youtube.com/Helenoflafolot#p/a/u/0/SRmvc6RtxoY
Otherwise, just click HERE to watch it!

BE with BEA and BE FREE…
“STAY SWEET!” Mary C. [one empowered business woman of integrity with a free spirit!]

Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Living Life in a-MAZE-ment!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog can also be seen at Vibrant Nation under Blog Circle name: Helenoflafolot ]

There was a movie years ago called Bagdad Cafe’. It was about a Diner in the middle of nowhere; found by folks traveling coast to coast in the U.S. The variety of Bohemian characters in the movie is amazing! It is definitely worth watching!

Well, I recently discovered my own little ‘Baghdad Cafe’ known as Lily Cafe’ in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (USA). I know the Lao owner whose family has had Thai restaurants in the area for over 10 years. They GOT ME with the first Red Curry, Number 10 spicy dish, I ordered! I’ve geen going back, frequently, ever since!

I wrote a book called: ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’ or Growing Up with the Embarrassment of Prejudice. It has to do with becoming aware of learned/inherited bias/prejudice that isn’t personally felt. It is an autobiographical/philosophical discussion, encouraging society to open communication on the topic. The book discusses appreciating life in ALL its forms of expression; comparing it to the beautiful sounds made from the complexity of sheetmusic. It was inspired by a 1930s song by Joe Ahlert called: Life is a Song. The key line of inspiration being: “Let’s take our hearts and dip them in rhyme …. make life a song!”

Well, I’ve recently gotten bold and set up my own book signing at the Lily Cafe’. I chose this location because of it sitting in the middle of the Dickinson College campus of Carlisle, PA; as well as its BAGHDAD CAFE’ nature!

For example, I arrived last evening to place my book signing poster in the window as well as some flyers around the cafe’. As is the norm, Antonia Anaban (master jazz musician) was playing his beautiful, background music to set the mood. Antonio is of Phillipine background, having grown up in Hawaii. He learned his craft from his talented father. His family made the commitment to move to the Carlisle PA area so the sons could be involved with the Central Pennsylvania Ballet.

One evening, a free-spirited college student stopped in to pick up his take-out order. Within 10 minutes, the student had given Tony three chords to play and the ‘talented bohemian soul’ was just spilling out original lyrics, in rhythm and rhyme to Tony’s chords!

Last evening, I met ‘Larry’; that’s his American name. Larry is of Spanish/Cuban background. His father from Spain and mother from Cuba. Larry was providing security guard services to the cafe’ while it was closed for a few days. Larry being another beautiful, free, bohemian spirit was sitting at one of the tables. Tony sat across from him and casual conversation started between us. We discussed the proper pronunciation of Larry’s first and last names. Don’t ask me, I struggled a bit but made the effort!

Next thing you know, Tony is playing a Spanish love song and Larry’s beautiful vocals are accompanying Tony! Since I had my camcorder, I got their permission to record the wonderful, impromptu moment! It can be seen out on my You Tube Channel: www.youtube.com/Helenoflafolot

After a bit, another ‘tall, dark and handsome’ gentleman arrived. He now sat across from Larry, as Tony had taken the small stage area to start ‘officially’ serading the customers, which hadn’t yet arrived. Talk about Baghdad Cafe’!

Being Hungarian myself, Tony revealed that the newest bohemian character in the cafe’ was also Hungarian! Tony has his own, modern rendition of a Hungarian tune that he likes to play for me. He started to play it for (who I found out later, was) Mike.

In talking to ‘Mike’ he revealed that his sister was none other than: ‘Angel’ Wallenda! (a.k.a. Elizabeth Pentya)
Angel met and married Steve Wallenda in New York, went on to join the family’s high wire acts. Angel had to have her leg amputated due to cancer. But, Angel STILL did the high wire acts with the artificial leg! What a woman! Angel only lived to be 28, with the cancer eventually taking over. But, I feel Angel lived a FULL life! What a woman! Mike mentioned that there was information about his sister on the internet. He was proud that she had had an article written about her in Reader’s Digest magazine! What a famous, admired woman for having lived only 28 years. I’d say she lived her life to the fullest! Mike got to be a part of the Wallenda family act as an announcer as well as ‘clowning!’.

My life has had much synchronicity lately. Last Sunday, I presented my talk ‘Seeing With New Eyes’ at a Women’s Conference. I talked about seeing life as a gift no matter what. I talked about my childhood experiences now being seen as the gifts that made me into the empowered woman I am, today! THE IRONY! I was reading about Angel Wallenda on the internet. One of her quotes noted that ‘if she hadn’t gone through the struggles she had as a child, she wouldn’t have been able to handle her challenge with the cancer and leg amputation.’ [to share a similar thought last Sunday and then hear it reaffirmed through an encounter with her brother BOGGLED MY MIND!]

Angel was also quoted as saying that she was thrilled that people not only admired and looked up to her with her highwire act skills, wearing an artificial leg; but that they admired her for her strength and courage in fighting her cancer! What a woman! WOW!

So, what were the odds that I would give that talk last Sunday, then meet the brother of a woman who overcame childhood abuse by her father, being taken in and out of her home and placed in and out of foster homes, only to become the dynamic woman she was! WHAT A MENTOR!

Talk about Baghdad Cafe a.k.a. Lily Cafe’. There I sat in the presence of Larry, Antonio, and Mike being humbled and feeling perfectly at home – in that Bohemian, Beautiful atmosphere filled with such amazing individuals!

LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!
LIVE LIFE IN A-MAZE-MENT!
Highlighted Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT
www.lafolot.com
[this blog post can also be seen at Vibrant Nation via Blog Circle name: Helenoflafolot]

WAVBYBY (…a Highlighted – HA HA Helen moment)

Oh goodie! Another life lesson to learn!

Upon leaving my house for an appointment, this morning, I noticed there was a vehicle parked in another condo owner’s numbered space, knowing it wasn’t theirs. Why would this catch my attention? While I am mindful of other condo owner’s numbered spaces, making sure I tell visitors to either park in my spot or an unnumbered spot I have not had the same courtesy offered to me. I have even had a fellow condo owner come knocking on my door, making an assumption my company was in her space, when it was from one of 54 plus other units in our development.

I know, it’s like a bad sitcom, becoming obsessed with parking spaces! (Gotta Laugh!) So, what did I do? YES! I allowed it to bother me and make me buggy and irritable! That’s so Ha Ha Helen of me!

After my appointment, I headed to lunch at my favorite Thai Palace restaurant. There was only one other car in the parking lot. The car had the license plate: WAVBYBY I had to smile as I saw it, thinking of the toddler phrase.

When I entered the restaurant, I saw a woman getting her takeout order. I asked: ‘Is that your WAVBYBY license plate out there?’ She smiled, saying ‘yes’. I said, as I did a toddler wave: BYE BYE, BYE BYE. She laughed, saying: ‘THAT’s what most people do!’ So I had a nice, tasty lunch.

As I was heading back home, driving past a store parking lot, a couple was loading their child into their car when a helium balloon had gotten loose and was flying away, into the sky. Wave Bye Bye! I thought, and smiled as I continued to drive.

Just then, at an intersection, a Human Waste Collection/Disposal truck had just pulled out ahead of me. It’s one of those trucks that maintains Porto Potties on job sites, etc. I was driving down the road for about a half-mile till I smiled and started to laugh out loud! A vehicle used to remove WASTE, ELIMINATION! AH HA HA HA HA – Wave Bye Bye! I laughed out loud. The number was 1-877-RESTROOM! HA HA

I thought! Wow! What a funny way to get a life-lesson or spiritual message to me, for the day! Was I being told to: LET IT GO! ELIMINATE unnecessary, obsessive thinking? A WAVBYBY license plate, a fly-a-way helium balloon and a human waste collection truck; I guess when you become a certified laughter leader, your life lesson synchronistic messages come to you with a sense of humor!

As I got farther down the road, I saw a sign at a gas station that had in bold, black letters: PERFECTION! Ah! I thought! Okay, I got it! Then, as traffic was paused for a traffic light a block away from me; I saw a woman sitting on her front porch. I rolled down the car window, put on my clown nose, she looked, looked away, then looked back again. She laughed! I ‘waved bye bye’ as traffic started to move due to the light changing.

So, did I learn my lesson? NOooooooo way! I’m not laughing at myself. When I got home, my neighbor’s first visitor had moved out of another neighbor’s parking space, and guess what; she had a new visitor now conveniently parked in MY space! So I parked in an unnumbered spot and placed a nicely worded note card on the car under the wiper blade. I just noted that the condo owner they were visiting should let them know to park in the unnumbered spots.

Well, I just couldn’t get the message and LET IT GO. The neighbor’s visitor came out and I tried explaining that the woman she was visiting had lived there for nine years and should let her know where to park. Things got ugly. She moved the car. What can I say – I am not happy with my handling of the situation. Like I said, makes for good sitcom material!

I guess I need more WAVBYBY license plates, fly-a-way balloons and 1-877-RESTROOM trucks till I get the gist of it! Maybe I need a truckload of waste to dump on me before I let go of the parking space obsession. CAREFUL WHAT I WISH FOR!

Live and learn.
LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!
Always in the process of learning… Helen
www.lafolot.com
[this blog can also be seen at Vibrant Nation - a networking website for women over 50.]

Being Ha Ha Helen, I often get the opportunity to ‘put my foot in my mouth’ on a daily basis!
This is also an example of how I don’t allow anything to stop me from talking to people I encounter when I’m out and about.

In keeping in line with my ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’ book, I practice what I preach. I openly approach people and talk to them, if I want to educate myself.

So, I went to my favoritie Thai Palace restaurant, for lunch. The restaurant wasn’t that crowded. I had set an intention to give ‘compliments’ to people, today. I encountered a woman sitting at a table and let her know the bright pink jacket she was wearing was beautiful! She thanked me and ended up wearing a beautiful smile with the jacket!

I then got to sit in one of my favorite booths, near a window with bright sunshine pouring in! Ahhh, feel the warmth! I was content. One of my favorite servers Heli, who happens to be from Indonesia, came back to take my order. Having talked to Heli quite a bit, I learned she is from Indonesia, is Budhist and is traveling back to Indonesia this Sunday, February 21, 2010 – due to the family going back to support a sick Aunt. I learned the family is very tight and supportive, because Heli had to give up finishing her last college class to make this trip. She will take the course after a year, when they return. The trip from Harrisburg, PA to Indonesia will be 24 hours long!

So, since we have had very cold weather and 2 major snow storms over the past two week, I openly asked Heli if the weather in Indonesia is warm? She noted it is warm there all the time. I told her I knew she’d be happy about that, because the cold and snow have really gotten to her!

As a result of our open conversation, a woman sitting with her husband at a booth two seats away from me joined in. Heli went to get my drink and the woman said: ‘Wow! Indonesia!’ Being Ha Ha Helen, I took the opportunity to pick up a conversation with them. I asked if they knew Heli was from Indonesia, they said they hadn’t know that.

I noticed the woman’s head was shaved. This is where I began to learn a valuable lesson, don’t make assumptions. Being a very empathetic person, and a teacher of Laughter Yoga/Wellness, I wanted to do something for the woman. I AUTOMATICALLY ASSUMED the woman was going through chemotherapy treatments or something of that sort. I knew I had some LAFOLOT supplies in my car, so I ran out to my Subaru Outback back hatch and put together a LAFOLOT FUN KIT! I wanted this woman to have ‘stess reliever pinwheels’, a ‘cheering flag’, a Live Life! Laugh Often! t-shirt, a ‘Live Life! Laugh Often!’ magnetic bumper display, etc etc. I wanted to give her all I could to help heal her through her challenge.

So – open mouth insert foot! I walk up to their table with my LAFOLOT Fun Kit and say: ‘Forgive my boldness, but are you going through chemotherapy?’ She responded: ‘No’ but that’s OK. I said: ‘Oh! Well! In that case, I teach laughter wellness and was going to give you this fun kit to help you through it all; but since you’re not – you may as well take it anyway!’ ha ha She laughed and smiled! She said: ‘SURE!’ I started to pull the stuff out and show her what she could do with all the items. She was THRILLED with her UNEXPECTED, SURPRISE GIFT!

So, being used to making a fool of myself, I just went back to my booth. I called over, “It’s like Christmas all over again!” She said: ‘Yes! It’s great!’ I said: ‘I teach the gift is in the giving, so if you want to pass any of it on, go right ahead!’ She said: ‘Can I contact you via your website?’ I said: ‘Yes!’

A few seconds later, she slightly turned back towards me in her booth seat and said: ‘I’m Budhist, by the way!’ I said, ‘Wow! Isn’t that great? This could be a great promotional slogan: Be Budhist, Get A Gift!’ She turned, and laughed, agreeing with me!
I told her it kinda reminded me of the ‘smiling Budha’s I have seen. She agreed.

So, it never hurts to just be open and ASK! Never know what it will get you. As a result of allowing myself to come across a bit foolish, I made her day with a LAFOLOT Fun Kit! I learned not to jump to conclusions just because someone has a shaved head, and – as a result! Here’s the great part! As she was leaving, she came back to me and gave me her business card. She is a newly established photographer: AMIDA Photography – Celebrating the Light [www.amidaphotography.com] She offered, in exhange for the fun kit I gave her, to take a complimentary business photograph of me!

How great is that! Be the type of person that openly approaches people and hands out gifts? Get a complimentary photograph. Be Budhist and sport a shaved head; get a gift! The other wonderful thing is, I got to practice the ‘Steve Wilson Principles of Good Hearted Living’ – Compliments and Forgiveness. I got to forgive myself, and being Budhist Amida openly accepted me ‘just as I was’ and SHE RECEIVED A GIFT! Talk about the practice of ‘being mindful and living in the present!’ I think she has it down pat!

So, as I discuss in my laughter yoga/wellness program; as well as in my book ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’ – open up and communicate. You never know what you’ll learn about someone. It may be awkward at first; but with good intentions, it all works out in the end!

Namaste’
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Ha Ha Helen of LAFOLOT …living in the moment
a.k.a. Highlighted Helen living BOLD and in Italics!

We experience,
We create,
We Teach, and
We Share
Prejudice and Intolerance.
We have the power to:
Overcome the experience,
Relook at the experience,
Educate ourselves, and
Share what we’ve learned
about overcoming
prejudice and intolerance
to
MAKE LIFE A SONG!
By: Helen Marie Szollosy