LAFOLOT

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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF BOOK

Life Is A Song in the Key of Love was a book conceived over 8 years ago, while writing a list of goals during a New Year’s Day workshop. The original title that came to mind was, ‘Growing Up with the Embarrassment of Prejudice.’ Much research was completed, but the book was never started due to it appearing negative, and possibly harmful to those involved in the scenarios presented.

It is meant to be an autobiographical, philosophical discussion on personal experiences relating to intolerance, prejudice, labeling and sterotyping as seen from the author’s childhood, onward. It is meant to show how we may not feel the hate, prejudice and intolerance, but we learn it in a state of being unaware.

Then, in the year 2008, the author realized a song she had learned while developing her singing voice could take the book in a positive direction! Excitedly, the author dove into completing the book in relation to paralleling moving away from prejudice and intolerance by looking at Life As A Song!

It is hoped that this book may be used to cause people to search within for any intolerance and prejudice and aid in open discussions to help the world heal from hate, prejudice and hurt. In appreciation of Joe Young, who wrote these beautiful words: “Life is a song, let’s sing it together, let’s take our hearts, and dip them in rhyme.”

Special Note: Make the world a better place; join my smile campaign. See how many people of all beliefs, backgrounds, etc. you can make smile, just by looking in their direction, and GIVING them a smile. It’s free and it brightens someone’s day,
you can’t beat that! It also opens you to meeting some really interesting people. You never know what you’ll learn! Helen

Why the whispers?

I wrote a book called: “Life is a Song in the Key of Love OR Growing Up With the Embarrassment of Prejudice” ISBN 978-0-578-00690-1 (LCCN 2009901580). It is an autobiographical/philosophical discussion about acting out in prejudice or bias ways without actually FEELING the prejudice and bias. The book is meant to make us self-aware of whether our actions truly reflect our feelings; or are we just mimicking learned behavior? The book evolves into seeing the beauty of ALL life in ALL its forms of expression. To become in AWE of it ALL!

I see and hear continued comments of hate and confusion in regards to prejudice and bias. I felt the need to share the following to note that we can’t fight hate WITH hate. I feel the need to become AWARE of the SOURCE of our feelings; love ourselves and get to know one another in an open, honest way to remove pre-conceived notions learned and passed on. Below is an example of the confusing actions we show due to our lack of awareness in day to day life, relating to bias, prejudice and stereotype.

I was sitting in a restaurant having lunch, yesterday. There were two women and two men having lunch at a round table just behind me and to the right. At one point, discussion came to the cost of an Assisted Living Center where the one woman worked. She noted that the rate was so high priced she didn’t know how people could afford it. Then, she noted, even though it isn’t a Jewish (whispered) home, there are mainly Jewish (whispered) people there. I guess they are the only ones that can afford it? What assumptions was she making? I’m not Jewish, but I heard her clearly as well as others in the restaurant did, even though she whispered.

Years ago, I was on a bus with some co-workers, during our lunch period. There was a shuttle that took us from our downtown workplace to city restaurants. At one point, my one friend was telling a story about a black (whispered) woman at work. It was just a basic story with no emotion, about a basic work experience. The racial reference didn’t need to be made, it just was, with no malice.

Why do we WHISPER when talking about Cultures, Religious Creeds, Races, Lifestyle Choices, etc? The ridiculous thing is that the WHISPERING can actually be heard louder than a normal vocal tone. Plus, if the whisper isn’t heard, it leaves such a LOUD GAP in the conversation, that anyone around can tell there is a SECRET occurring!

Are we carrying guilt, fear, confusion? Why does pointing out a person’s physical attributes in a crowd, to make it easier to point out a friend, cause a whisper of their nature or preference? I had this discussion with an African-American friend of mine.

I recall a story of an Aunt of mine being referred to as ‘that fat girl over there’ by her mother, when someone at a picnic asked where her daughter was in the crowd. Depending on how a physical attribute is used or reference, can be quite hurtful.

I was watching one of the first episodes of SURVIVOR, a television show. The contestants are diverse. At first meeting, they are placed on the beach and asked to write down who they feel should be the leader of each tribe. I was curious to see how they would describe one another, not knowing each other’s names. Not one person noted race or culture as they described who they chose. Even though there was a dark skinned man, woman, Asian-looking woman, etc. – descriptions were made of clothes or hairstyles, etc. It was interesting to watch. As the show progressed, there was an issue that arose with a question of bias.

I’m not judging; I’m throwing this out there for discussion. It seems when we talk about a group that is in the minority or questioned by society, we whisper. In my book, I talk about educating ourselves, learning about racial, cultural, religious, and other groups so that we don’t have to whisper; and can feel comfortable with one another.

Education is the key! I suggest reading, talking to friends of different backgrounds, cultures, beliefs, etc rather than having to make assumptions or be fearful or questioning. Staying in the DARK breeds fear; fear breeds hate. Hating hate groups only perpetuates the cycle.

I felt inspired to write this when I hear and saw hate being spewed over the internet. Education and Awareness are the keys! Stop the ignorance and the hate; become aware and educated and share LOVE and UNDERSTANDING.

Thank you for allowing me to share. Again, my intent is to prompt awareness and promote healthy discussion. I wish blessings of peace, love and awareness to the world!

May we all reach the point of being in AWE of it ALL!

Motivational-Inspirational Speaker, Writer and Author
Helen Marie Szollosy
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Live life in amazement, be in Awe of it All!
www.lafolot.com

Little Angels from 1964 to 2009! With a special message! (written on January 17, 2009)
Well… here’s an interesting one! Angels come in all shapes, sizes and colors…

I sent in my final version of my book “Life is a Song – int the key of Love” (subtitled: Growing up with the embarrassment of prejudice) and ordered the final proof copy.

The dedication in the front of the book is to: “the little black boy who was so adventurous as to wonder out of his ‘racially defined’ neighborhood to walk down to the alley behind my Front St home in Steelton – back in 1964. He had a snotty nose, ashy skin, but a big, fearless, adventurous soul (just like mine)! He went on his journey from 5th and 6th streets – only to have white-folks in my neighborhood screaming and yelling at him or they were going to call the cops. It was the time when JFK and MLK were fighting for equal rights, etc. – a lot of tension. I never forgot that image, standing at the gate at the end of my yard. It was so confusing.

Well, I didn’t feel like eating dinner this evening, but something told me to go out to eat. When I arrived at the restaurant, the Dollar Tree – bargain eyeglass-chain holder I had purchased broke. No problem, I just drove up to the dollar tree on my way home – Carlisle Pike.

I was one aisle over from the toy aisle. I had to smile, I could hear a young voice, trying to sound tough – saying some kind of ‘Boy From the Hood’ phrase (the kid was trying to sound tough) – can’t remember what it was. As I was heading out of my aisle, towards the back of the store, an African American woman was going by with her cart. I figured the voice must have belonged to her child. I didn’t think anything of it and kept walking around the back of the store, away from the toy aisle.

Well, I don’t know what made me turn around, after I had passed a few aisles, but – I did –
and, there he was – a little African American boy – with a snotty nose, trying to get my attention – aiming a plastic pistol/gun at me. His younger brother was also snotty nosed and toting a pistol (kids and cold season, plus touch kids don’t use tissues, you know!) – pointing it at me and pretending to shoot. He also had a bright red, plastic car – almost as big as he was!

So, not wanting to miss out on the fun – I assumed the Spider Man – web shooting position and shot some spider webs at them. Then, I said, hey, wait a minute. You don’t want to shoot people – you know what I do? They looked at me – I said –
I shoot smiles at people!
I like to see how many people I can get to smile back at me!

They put their guns away and the younger boy dropped the red car – due to its size.
I said – “OH NO! Auto Accident! and made a siren noise.”

Their mother called them and I had to stop playing. ;o)

I ran into them, again, at the front of the store. This time, I gave the older boy a smile – he still had the snot coming out of his nose- and, what did he do?

HE SMILED BACK AT ME! (without the gun)

I said, OH! I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GOING TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP, A STATE TROOPER! I said, ‘DO YOU KNOW WHERE I WORK?’ He was bright, he said – a police officer? I said, at the State Police! I said, YOU COULD HELP AND PROTECT PEOPLE instead of shooting them! He said, ‘SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH THEM?’

I said YES! You could say stuff like, ‘Hey, why did you do that?’ ahahaha (not very creative – but, I tried)

I said, WOW! I bet you’re going to make a great police officer and help a lot of people! He nodded.

Then, we parted ways.

When I got to my car – I thought – OH MY GOD! I was inspired to write my book because of a brave little, snotty nosed, ashy skinned, black boy- walking past the gate at the end of my yard, in 1964 – and, THEN
all these years later….
when I finish the book –

I run into another little, snotty nosed, brave, bright, African-American boy – as if to say –

I’m the other book end to put parantheses around what inspired your life!

I’m glad, THIS TIME, instead of him being yelled at to ‘go back to his ‘racially defined neighborhood’ – he encountered a person encouraging him to BE ALL HE CAN BE, without fear – OH, AND WITH A SMILE!

I’d like to think the little boy from 1964 and the little boy from 2009 were both little angels sent to inspire me…

Highlighted Helen living BOLD and in ITALICS!