LAFOLOT

It’s been a day of discoveries and surprising prosperity!

I started out the day balancing my checkbook and discovering a $10 subtraction error; then still showing a $21.21 difference in MY favor! This was interesting, because the numbers 12 and 21 have been appearing in my daily transactions a lot, lately!

I then gathered together some books I no longer needed and drove them over to donate to my local library; for a book sale they are having in June. Before I drove to the library, I stopped at a business to check in with its owner about a future workshop. I found a note on the door that the owner was at a meeting, but luckily, when I turned around – a person I knew who recently called to refer me to a possible future speaking gig was at the Stop Light near the corner, where I was standing!

I called over a Hullo! and we exchanged a few words, the light changed, and I left smiling at the synchronicity!

I then headed to my favorite Thai Palace restaurant for lunch. I was a little bummed out, because of having left so many magnetic bumper displays there, which get taken, but I never see them on the cars parked at the restaurant. Well – I thought too soon!
I went to sit in a booth and a group of 3 adults and a toddler were sitting in a booth back and to the right of me.
The little girl was fussy and started to cry (which is OK with me, that’s what kids do!). I instantly pulled out one of my ‘REFLECT A SMILE’ popsicle sticks with a little round mirror on the end. I use it to market one of my talks, my smile campaign and my website.
I asked the ‘mom’ if it was okay to give the little girl one? She nodded, okay. When I gave it to the little girl, she was all smiles! I also gave her one of my yellow, Smiley Face bookmarks.

Well what do you think happened? The mom said: ‘ARE YOU THE LAUGHTER PERSON whose advertising is out on the business card board?’ I said ‘Yes!’ She responded how great that was, asked me what I do, and her husband and friend affirmed they’d love to have me come over and host a Laughter Party! I asked them if they minded me talking to them since they were eating, they said no, not at all! They wanted to start having more ‘meaningful’ parties at their home with guest speakers.

I gave them a mini demo of what I do, then I sat down. The little girl’s mom then let me know that she had seen my advertising around the area, at other places, that I was becoming well known to them and that I was almost embedded in her mind! (WHY? was I worried about not seeing my magnetic bumper displays!)
I told her I also teach Good Hearted Living re: Compliments and Kindness. I told her: ‘You made my day! You gave me the gift of a compliment and the kindness to share your appreciation of what I do!’ I said: ‘That is priceless! Thank you!’

We went about finishing our meals and said our goodbyes. I then stopped at my local grocery store. I’m always looking for restrooms and had too much Iced Tea to drink so I ran to unload! ha ha Last time I used this store’s restroom, I found over seventy five cents on the floor! So, when I entered, I exclaimed – ‘I am prosperous!’ I looked down, no money. ha ha

So I went about my shopping. I had been wanting to buy three new litter boxes and had been having trouble locating them at the grocery stores. I also didn’t want to spend a lot of money due to downsizing and being in the middle of saving money for my move to lighten up my expense load. I couldn’t find the litter boxes in the pet supplies aisle. I finally asked the speedy checkout clerk. A young guy in ‘plain clothes’ (not in the store’s uniform) asked what I needed, when the girl I asked wasn’t sure. He took me to the pet aisle and I explained I hadn’t found any there. Then, I looked UP and saw them on a very high place. He announced, here they are; and they’re only 1.97 each! I said, ‘Well! At that price, I can’t pass it up – give me three!’ I then asked if he worked there. He noted he was a night shift employee. I said, ‘Well thank you so much for your help, HERE HAVE A BOOKMARK!’ HA HA
He laughed. I said, ‘I ‘ll let the manager know how helpful you’ve been.’ I said, ‘Sorry I don’t have more than the bookmark to give you!’ He responded, ‘Hey! It’s more than anyone else has given me today!’ We laughed.

I went to the checkout and let the girl know how thrilled I was with his assistance and that the cat litter pans were only $1.97 each! Well! She was on the ball! I didn’t even notice. She stopped me after I self-scanned two of them. They weren’t coming up at $1.97.

To make a long story come to a close (ha ha), she discovered they ‘were’ on sale but for $2.51 bonus buy with the store’s club card – which I had. So, 2 other cashier clerk supervisors later, I ended up getting one cat litter pan for FREE (for my troubles) and the other two at $2.51 each (normally $2.98)! I asked for a customer comment card, and put all their names on the card, giving them credit for their SUPER SERVICE!

So, I guess I was right after all! I AM PROSPEROUS AND WEALTHY! Clear out the emotional and physical clutter and open yourself to the gifts waiting to come your way in Speaking Gigs, discounts and Free Items!

Have a day full of surprising, magical discoveries!
Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Live Life in Amazement!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog can also be seen at Vibrant Nation under blog name: Helenoflafolot]

Each day, I am more and more amazed at the synchronicity happening in my life! I am to the point, when I get up in the morning and experience what I see as a challenge/block/frustration, by the time lunch comes around; I am reading about the SOLUTION in my daily meditation magazine! Then, I have to laugh out loud! It’s gotten to the point that I want to PEEK in the daily meditation magazine to SEE what is in store for the day; BUT that would spoil the surprise! Kinda like read the last page of a book before you get to enjoy the journey within! Some days I feel like I’m in the ‘Groundhog Day’ movie with Bill Murray!

I had a BIG AH HA, part II – today. It’s said we ‘teach what we need to learn’; I am doing this big time! Around age 49, I had a big AH HA! moment; as a result, I was able to move forward in my life, stop hiding, see my life as the gift that it is, and START LIVING!

This resulted in me taking early early retirement from my 28 1/2 year job on a leap of faith, starting my LAFOLOT business, starting my website and setting the intention to Motivate and Inspire others through Speaking, Singing, Writing, and Laughter Wellness.

My first big talk was called ‘Seeing With New Eyes!’. This talk was an off-shoot of my big Ah Ha! moment. I saw that the talk was so flexible as to be given in many different venues. My ‘teaching what I needed to learn’ was coming out no matter HOW I expressed myself! I realized today, when talking with a friend, that it EVEN came out in my book: Life is a Song in the Key of Love OR Growing Up With the Embarrassment of Prejudice. The intention of the book is to appreciate life in ALL its forms of expression; to be in AWE of it ALL. Once again, as I talked to my friend, I had to LAUGH OUT LOUD at the synchronicity! It seems no matter what I undertake, the idea and lesson appears to come out as: SEEING WITH NEW EYES!

As I read my daily meditation today, the first quote JUMPED out at my EYES! “We are all like flies crawling across the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. We cannot see what angels and gods lie underneath the threshold of our perception.” William Irwin Thompson
I had to LAUGH OUT LOUD! There it was, again!

I then recalled how I spent a majority of my life Doodling EYES whenever I was bored in school. Everytime I had a chance to doodle, I was doodling eyes! I wondered WHY I had chosen THAT particular doodle, but then the thought would leave. Then, I had the AH HA moment PART II! Was my life purpose or intention to SEE things from a DIFFERENT AWARENESS; a DIFFERENT PERCEPTION? This is what I talk about in my presentation.

The songs I sing have to do with SEEING life in a NEW LIGHT; SEEING things turn around. I was in total A-MAZE-MENT today as this new AH HA came flying at me!

I had been very depressed the past couple days. I choose to be aware of depression, talk and write through it. I also choose to cry in order to process my feelings; as well as whine if necessary. I feel by going through the process; just as with a cold or flu – I can then move forward. I feel if I HOLD IT IN, it never leaves. So, I allowed myself to feel the depression and cry at breakfast as well as whine. When I allowed myself to whine, I started to LAUGH; realizing how I sounded like a little two year old. But, it was OK, because of the AWARENESS and being able to SEE myself from a DIFFERENT ANGLE or PERCEPTION. I could SEE myself depressed, FEEL for myself in that moment and help myself to LAUGH and start to LIGHTEN myself up!

I was able to START MOVING FORWARD and prepare for my next day’s event. Then, as I read the daily meditation at lunch; the day even got better! It talked about not giving one’s power and personal energy to people and things outside ourselves. I immediately thought of how I was giving my energy/power to the Condo Board where I live. I was allowing my frustration with the board to take hold of my feelings. AH HA moment! I then realized, when I had gone to Boiling Springs, PA (USA) Children’s Lake, yesterday – I was SEEING another solution by watching the fish in the area feeding water into the lake.

I was standing on the bridge, watching the fish just hover in the water as the inflowing CURRENT (energy) washed around and THROUGH them (their gills). They didn’t FIGHT the CURRENT, but allowed gentle movement (as they used GROUP ENERGY by clumping together) to stay in one place while the FOOD, WATER, CURRENT, ENERGY flowed around and through them.

I thought! Smack myself in the forehead! OPEN MY EYES! There I was HIDING from the Board, RUNNING from the Board, ALLOWING them to EXPEND my energy! I was ALLOWING them to MOVE ME in directions I didn’t want to go, zapping me of my energy!

Once I read this, realized about the doodling eyes, was REMINDED of the lesson I TEACH, but also need to LEARN; I GOT MY ENERGY BACK!

So, after having finished packing my ‘stuff’ for my event tomorrow; as well as having had the ENERGY and TIME to get organized, make more items to GIVEAWAY and advertise my LAFOLOT business –

I’d say THE EYES have it! … focused in the right direction of thought, for the moment, until I decide I need another lesson!

Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Living Life in A-Maze-Ment!
Being in AWE of it ALL!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog can also be found at Vibrant Nation under Blog Circle name: Helenoflafolot]

I had my second book signing (‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’), last evening. I strategically scheduled it at Lily Cafe’ in the heart of downtown Carlisle, PA (USA) near Dickinson College. Besides college staff and students, the area is very diverse. There is the Army War College as well as people from all cultures and backgrounds. I placed advertising in two different newpapers, information on my website, out on Facebook, distributed fliers around Dickinson Campus and elsewhere. I felt good about this location.

My first book signing was the previous Friday, Easter weekend. I looked at it like a test run for me, since I hadn’t realized the Holiday weekend when I scheduled the advertising. So I was READY FOR THE CROWDS last evening.

Once I set up ‘my space’, a slew of Emergency Response vehicles went flying by the Cafe’! I thought, Deja Vu, since an emergency vehicle had flown by last Friday when I was setting up. I immediately thought the worst. I went to the owner and said: ‘This is like the movie Ground Hog Day! Does this mean I’ll get no interest again, this week? I hope you’re not superstitious!’

Since the book signing was scheduled from 3:00-8:00pm (to allow time for students getting out of classes to stop in), I relaxed at my book signing sofa, watching passers by. I also had my daily meditation magazine with me. I re-read the line that had interested me earlier that day: ‘NEVER LIMIT YOUR VIEW OF LIFE BY ANY PAST EXPERIENCES.’ Ernest Holmes

I had to SMILE, I was EXPECTING the worst based on a previous experience! I then allowed my gaze to fall on the businesses across the street. First business: Emporium CONCEPTS; Second business: … Life Cafe’; Third business: UNIFORMLY Yours

I had to SMILE and LAUGH to myself! Never limit my view from past experiences … here’s a new CONCEPT … (switch the letters in Cafe around and get FACE) Life – FACE it! … it’s UNIFORMLY YOURS … to make of what you will!

So, once again, I was learning my lesson to: ‘See With New Eyes’, ‘Shift my Awareness’, ‘Shift my Perception’, move forward with my thinking in a new direction!

I step away from my book signing area to talk to the owner; and when I return a woman walking in the door stops to look at me. She asks: ‘Are you Helen?’ I respond affirmatively. She gives me her name and I realize she is the wife of a former coworker and friend whom I haven’t seen for about 10 years! OH, THE SYNCRONICITY! They saw my AD in the Carlisle Sentinel and clipped it for the book signing and 20% off Cafe’ dining purchase offer!

SHIFTING my awareness and perception of the event was now starting the Life Experience Dominoes falling in a different direction! I shared with my two friends, all the synchronicity that had been happening up until ‘Muriel’ had walked in the door. Her husband Rich had introduced me to the movie ‘Baghdad Cafe’ way back in the early 1990s. I referenced ‘Baghdad Cafe’ as a comparison to Lily Cafe’ in a blog I wrote a couple weeks ago! I had been thinking about Rich and Muriel and had even moved near their ‘neighborhood’ over 2 years ago!

So, here I am, waiting for folks to show at Lily Cafe’ (Baghdad Cafe’) and they arrive! I end up having a wonderful conversation about my book topic with Muriel as well as an artistic young man who had stopped in with his brother. The young man told me he grew up in a farming family, was expected to stay in the ‘family business’, when in his heart and soul, he knew he was an artist! The conversation was priceless!

When Muriel’s husband Rich arrived, we caught up on 10 years of stuff, discussed the book and they stayed to dine at the Thai Cafe’. Antonio Anacan, the master jazz musician and featured performer, allowed me to sing for Muriel and Rich. They got to dance while I sang and Tony took a break.

I also got the chance to sell my book (way below cost) to a wonderful young couple I had met at the Cafe’ on another occassion. They are always ALL SMILES, having eachother, and a positive outlook; even though life hasn’t graced them with more than limited income. They WANTED to pay for the book, so I talked with Danielle who shyly negotiated the price they could handle. I gave them a couple ‘Life is a Song’ canvas shopping bags, a couple Pinback buttons and they promised they would help me advertise! They were ALL SMILES as they left the Cafe’!

I sold two books! YES! What a priceless evening! I left exhausted and found a UPS package on my doorstep when I arrived at home. I was so tired, I placed all my stuff in the living room and prepared for bed. After I awakened this morning, had a healthy breakfast and started to go through my items left in the living room, I RE-discovered the package. WHAT A SURPRISE!

I start to dig through all the foam peanuts. What did I find? A YELLOW SMILEY SPATULA! I was ALL SMILES! My laughter leader buddy, Barb G. had sent me a SMILE spatula! I read the card, the beautiful note as well as the check donation she sent me for helping with Marketing/Advertising bookmarks. I SMILED even broader, as I felt the WARMTH of HAVING BEEN THOUGHT OF in a kind way!

I laughed when she noted in the card that she knew I didn’t cook, but perhaps I could display it in my kitchen to bring me smiles! I immediately used the chain to hang it on my plant rack at my kitchen window. My cat Buddy, was enjoying the open window, the sun shining in, and the smile spatula! I took a photo.

 
Then, as I continued preparing for a health faire at a local Senior Center, today; I started to find Smiles ALL OVER MY HOME! If you read my blog about having to bring my birdbath into my home; it now reflects rainbows all over my ceiling! I took a photo of the RAINBOW SPOTS smile created by the sun reflecting through the glass votive candles sitting in the water. I went into my living room to find a SHADOW SMILE peaking at me from the Cathedral ceiling; as a result of the sun going through the SMILE SPATULA! I walked out of my home office, looking up to find a WINKING SMILE on my smoke alarm mounted on the wall. I entered my bathroom to find a ‘Pearl Necklace’ SMILE made by having hung the necklace on a bathroom shelf!

I was ALL SMILES! I was SURROUNDED by SMILES! My home was filled with SMILES BY THE MILES!

It’s the THOUGHT that counts – friends from years past THINKING of me and supporting me at my book signing.
New friends, Danielle and David, RICH in love and friendship but not in money, showing me support!
Master Jazz musicians allowing me to share my gift of song with friends while they dance.
A distant laughter / Virtual Buddy thinking of me and sending me a smile; and
ALL THESE SMILES being REFLECTED back at me to warm my home space, heart and soul.

Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Live Life! Laugh Often!
Live Life in Amazement!
Share your SMILES by the MILES!
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]

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

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

FOCUS ME.mp4

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

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

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

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

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

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

HAVE FUN STAYING FOCUSED!

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

PSYCHIC SISTER CONNECTION –
August 13, 2009

ANOTHER Helen Psychotic… uh – I mean, PSYCHIC moment:

OK… I just have to share….
It’s another one of my stupid, insignificant but Interesting premonition/psychic moments.

I was just sittin’ and thinkin’ at my computer keyboard this moring…
Looking out my back window ….
Noticing the 3 to 4′ high Locust tree popping up out of the ground…

and, the thought comes to mind… ‘Wonder if I can do one of those BONSAI tree things and keep it miniature, … then the thought left and I got on with my life….

…so, I’m sittin’ and relaxin’ and ‘feeling a craving coming on about Rice… but with a certain flavor…. trying to think how I can get what my body is craving for dinner…

Then, I realize – it’s the craving for Chicken Shahi Korma with Basmati rice from one of my local/favorite restaurants…. Passage to India.

Soooo… I call and let a phone message for my younger sister Ann, at work, to see if she wants to join me.

OK – we both arrive at the Restaurant at 5:30pm….

Ann (my younger sister, says) –
“We (co-workers) were at Rita’s Italian Ice after we had gone for Chinese food at lunch today.”
“One of the guys didn’t like the rice, so I told him he should try Passage to India for the Basmati rice…”
THEN – she tells me – “I went back to my desk and there was your message about going to Passage to India!”

…. she runs back down the aisle to the other analysts and programmers to tell them it was KISMET that they had been talking about it and I had called. She said, THEY SAID: “What the heck does Kismet, mean?”

I digress….

So, we FINISH dinner, and – for some reason – she starts telling me how she and her husband Neil have been talking about different hobbies and interests they want to pursue…
he’s looking into an aquarium for the home or a keyboard …

SHE SAYS…… HERE IT COMES: “I THINK I’D WANT TO START LEARNING THE ART OF THE BONSAI TREE.”

I rest my case… another one of those – weird, senseless premonitions….

BUT, DARN IF IT DOESN’T AMAZE THE HECK OUT OF ME…

PSYCHIC CONNECTION HELEN…. *zzzzZZZZzt over and out. beep.

Helen of Lafolot
Living Life in Amazement!