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]

A friend of mine sent me this ‘daily inspiration’ message yesterday:

I once spoke to my friend, an old squirrel,
about the Sacraments -
he got so excited
and ran into a hollow in his tree and came
back holding some acorns, an owl feather
and a ribbon he found.
And I just smiled and said, “Yes, dear,
you understand
everything imparts
His grace.” –St. Francis of Assisi

No matter WHERE you get your inspiration or place your beliefs; I have personally observed how animals and insects can teach us wonderful life and spiritual lessons!

This morning I was awakened by my cats to; meow! meow! get up and seize the day! (They don’t speak latin, so it wasn’t Carpe’ Diem!) It was 5:55 when I looked at the clock! I like turning on the patio light so my cats can watch any critters going by the sliding glass doors. I noticed a brown rabbit sitting 10 feet out from the patio. I immediately shut off the light; allowing the rabbit its peace.

As dawn broke and I sat at my office computer, I saw the brown rabbit continued to ‘just sit’ in the grass. I put on my distance glasses (being over 50 and now wearing tri-focals), and noticed it was just BEing. I went about my BUSY-ness, and occassionally noticed the rabbit was still there. I avoided eating my healthy breakfast; being too caught up in wondering why the updates on my computer were taking so long! Again, the rabbit was JUST BEing. I noticed it decided to take a little ‘munch’ out of the grass.

I took the rabbits advice around 6:00 AM and started my healthy breakfast. I sat in my comfy sofa with my accent table containing my healthy breakfast items; and had breakfast while just BEing with the rabbit. When I was done, and continued to sit as the rabbit was, it started to twitch its nose. I realized I was tapping my finger on the sofa in time with the rabbit.

Was the next clue to ‘get moving now’ since I had finished my breakfast? I went back to my computer to see if the updates were completed, so I could access my e-mail; it was now about 7:09 AM. The rabbit stretched its legs by going into a partial sit-up position then went back into resting mode. It took a few more nibbles out of the grass; and at 7:11 AM it hopped off to its right, across the back lawn.

I wished the rabbit a HOPPY day and thanked it for inviting me into its EARLY MORNING RABBITATION (meditation/prayers).

I have a ferrel cat named Fonzie; who was rescued from under a local playhouse, after its mother had been hit by a car. The meows were heard by actors in rehearsal at the theatre. I got Fonzie (so named for his softness and survivor abilities), to be a ‘playmate’ to my Alpha Male cat Buddy. Fonzie wasn’t more than 4 inches long and high, and STOOD UP to Buddy (arching his back) when he first met him. What a brave cat! I thought! Fonzie saw himself BIGGER than his body gave him credit for! (John Maher)

It has taken 4 years, but Fonzie has taught me a lot. Be Brave, Be Cautious, Be Bold and Be a good friend to Alpha characters; you never know when you’ll need their help! Fonzie went from constantly hiding in the closets, under the bed, to finally showing himself. He then went from jumping, running and hiding EVERY time he saw me, to now ALLOWING me to sit near him on the sofa without running away. He now comes to me to ALLOW me to pet him! (ha ha ha) I watch the way he slowly approaches Buddy and then gets groomed and allowed to cuddle with Buddy for a nap. I got to watch how GENTLY Buddy introduced Fonzie into the family. Buddy would gently give ‘fake nips/bites at Fonzie and then follow with gentle licking’. I saw the message he was giving Fonzie, ‘it’s OK, don’t stress, relax’. I saw how he could calm Fonzie with his Alpha Male Cat wisdom and gentleness.

I saw a duck ‘just sitting’ out in our parking lot yesterday. It was raining, and puddles were forming. We RUN from the rain; this duck said ‘bring it on!’ – YES! I’ve got more puddles!

When I’m spending too much time at my computer, my Alpha femal cat ‘Kitty’ jumps up on the desk and insists I pet her. Not only that, she plops down and insists I scratch behind her head and also gently rub her belly. She then, shows me TOTAL TRUST, closes her eyes and goes into a sleep. ‘Enough of that computer!’ she is gently telling me; time to take a break and rest. She has total trust while she allows me to cradle her; since she would surely slip off the desk if I wasn’t supporting her while she rests.

I am grateful for all the creatures and insects that present themselves to me, each day, to teach me life and spiritual lessons.

Allow me to give a SHOUT OUT to the mammal and insect world: Meow! Woof! Buzzz! Rabbit Nose Twitch! Tweet! Chirp! etc.
Thank you for taking the time to allow me to attend your classes. Where can I sign up for the next lesson?

Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Living Life in A-Maze-Ment!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
www.lafolot.com
[this blog can also be seen 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 ]

I conduct laughter wellness programs and am often complimented on the ‘safe/comfortable’ environment that is created.

I was trained to create a non-perfectionistic, optional participation, non-physically invasive environment. A man shared openly: ‘I really appreciate the guidelines you stated at the beginning of the program, about respecting people’s space!’

I just tried to pick up my Alpha Male cat and give him a hug, he squirmed and jumped away. I respected that he didn’t want interaction at this time; he had just wanted a little recognition and a rub around the ears. I appreciated that he let me know, in a gentle way, his wishes at this time.

In my book, ‘Life is a Song in the Key of Love’, I talk about respecting life in ALL its forms of expression. We all have our own wishes and comfort levels when interacting with one another on a daily basis. Watch how animals approach one another. Dogs, cats, birds, insects; they all have a system of approach. They use site, physical movement, and sense of smell to gently approach and ask: ‘Is it OK for me to enter your space?’ They have a way of letting echother know: ‘This is what I am allowing and accepting at this time.’

For example, try hugging a beehive! But, you may say, I LOVE that bee hive!; I want to give it a hug! Well, listen to the agitated buzzing of the bees, observe, sense and LET THE BEES GO!

Try picking up a cat after it has ‘gently’ let you know that it doesn’t want to be held. The signal will get stronger with an open claw or gentle nip of the teeth. Watch an Alpha cat with an Omega cat when the Omega isn’t listening to ‘I don’t want to be bothered at the moment;’ you will hear a quick NYEH! signal sometimes followed by a quick touch of the paw to the pestering Omega cat.

We need to learn from animals, insects. People have this same system of letting one another what they will allow or not allow as far as ‘getting into their space.’ We need to be aware of the subtle signals, that sometimes have to grow to stronger signals.

I am grateful that I got to attend a variety of 12-Step programs as well as one-on-one and group counseling. I loved learning about:

1) Respecting a person’s space
2) Using ‘I’ statements or ‘I feel’ statements when discussing a personal need or wish
3) The word ‘NO’, without an explanation, is acceptable and should be acknowledged and respected.
4) My body is MY personal space and I have a right to allow or not allow permission to enter my personal zone.

I am blessed to have learned these social skills; but the frustration comes from daily interactions where they are not respected.

In my laughter programs, people are told if they don’t want to shake a person’s hand (for whatever reason: cold/flu season for example) they can just keep their hands at their side as an idicator.

Another example is, if a person does not want a hug, they can put their hand forward to indicate a handshake is acceptable. Another suggestion is to ASK. Openly ask a person, ‘would you like a hug?’ If the recipient extends a hand or says, no – then that request needs to be honored. Think again, about the animal and insect kingdoms. Learn from their examples.

I CRINGE when an adult ORDERS or INSTRUCTS a child to: GIVE HER A HUG! What if the child isn’t COMFORTABLE with the adult they are being TOLD to hug? What if the adult they are telling to hug, isn’t comfortable?

Here’s a suggestion: ASK the child IF they would LIKE a hug? Respect the body space of one another.

I recall, as a child, how SCARY or DIFFERENT the adults around me seemed. Just the HEIGHT and EXPRESSIONS could be very scary and intimidating. Children are in the mode of Learning, Experiencing, Discovering the world. I recall being told to ‘Go Say Hello to your Grandfather!’ Now my grandfather was a kind man, but he was big, stocky, dark hair and blurry eyeglasses. I recall being very fearful, taking the quarter he offered and running away. *pfew!

I recall having being dropped off at a woman’s home so I could be safely watched during the day. My mom was a nurse, my dad worked and an older sister was STUCK with the duty of dropping me off to be baby sat. I Screamed and Kicked and Yelled at the doorway, refusing to let go of my sister’s hand. I didn’t want to go into this STRANGE home with the PERSON I didn’t know. I screamed and cried and yelled. I recall sitting at the kitchen table ALL day until I got retrieved by my sister. No matter what the woman did, I sat there with my head down. She was a scary, strange adult. (As I got older, I got to know this kind, smiling woman who ran the library at my school – Marie M.)

Think from the mind of a child. Think from your own mind. Would you want to be pushed to get physically, full body close to a person you weren’t comfortable with?

Because I am so AWARE of respecting my own personal space and other’s personal space, I CRINGE when I go to church and am told ‘IT’S TIME FOR HUGS AND HANDSHAKES!’. With everyone being seated in the pews, there’s no escape!

I have nicknamed this time: INVASION OF THE BODY SNATCHERS! The FULL-BODY INVASIVE huggers start their SLOW – ARMS WIDE OPEN ascent on any body they find! I start to practice all the healthy social skills I’ve been taught.

1) I give a smile and wave! – didn’t work… they’re still approaching!
2) I extend my hand! – didn’t work … they GRAB my hand and PULLLLL me into THEIR ZONE – invading my ZONE!
3) I verbally express – I DON’T WANT A HUG! – didn’t work, they respond: BUT I LIKE HUGS! (I guess I don’t count?)
4) NO turns out to NOT be an acceptable answer! I guess the 12-Step programs and psychologists were wrong after all! I am then PUMPED FOR INFORMATION … “but WHY? but WHY?” – I feel like I’m talking to a 2 year old with the why? why? why?
Then the ultimate: There must be something wrong with you, I’m going to FIX you! YOU WILL SUBMIT, YOU WILL COMPLY!

Ohhhh Noooooo! The body snatchers are going to ASSIMILATE me! Ahhhhhhhhh!

So, ASK if the person wants a handshake or a hug
RESPECT the person’s personal space
ACCEPT the answer
and, maybe – like the LEARNED cats, dogs, bees, birds, etc. You will WIN OVER their trust and respect and they’ll step over the line into your zone, one day and FREELY offer the hug or handshake you have expressed that you like. Just like the Alpha cat that eventually allows the Omega cat into its space. Just like the bee that realizes you aren’t going to harm it.

Let people BE – approach them with ACCEPTANCE and RESPECT of their PERSONAL SPACE.
START with a SMILE
ADD a WAVE and see where it FLOWs.

This has been a Highlighted, Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT moment.
Live Life! Laugh Often!
LIVE and LET LIVE!
Be in AWE of it ALL and Make Life a Song!
www.lafolot.com/books
[this blog can also be seen at VIBRANT NATION under blog circle name: Helenoflafolot]

When you can LAUGH at the amazing spiritual lessons that are going on around you, no matter how absurd, joy comes to your heart!

I started out the day, peacefully and productively. I was so proud of my positive way in which I dealt with the latest ‘Loonie-fields’ condo board actions! As I shared, previously, about bringing my NOW ILLEGAL birdbath into my home as a water-reflection bowl for candles; I got to enjoy mini rainbow spots all over my dining room walls and ceiling as the sun passed through the votive candle holders yesterday!

So, there I was, sitting at my computer, looking out my PEACEFUL view of daffodils, birds, a beautiful gray stone wall surrounding a church cemetery when: da dun, da dun … da dun da dun… JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS SAFE!

Ha Ha! Two men, one with a notepad, examing my plant hanger with silk flower basket outside my office window. (delete explitives here – ha ha) – NOW WHAT! I had my sliding glass doors open, so I went over and asked: IS THERE A PROBLEM? BECAUSE IF THERE’S A PROBLEM, TELL ME NOW – SO I CAN REMOVE THE OFFENDING PLANT HANGER AND POT SO AS NOT TO ADD TO THE 10 LETTERS THE BOARD HAS ALREADY SENT ME – AS WELL AS BEING TOLD I’LL BE FINED! The men said, oh no no no, we’re just walking around to check things.

I said, ‘Well, I read your letter and removed all the mums and daffodils per the note to remove all perennials from the grounds around the buildings. What else is it that is a problem so we can take care of it, so I can have some peace!’ They said, oh no, we don’t know anything about that. I said: ‘Well, I guess you haven’t read your Board letter.’ ha ha (How was I doing with my spiritual growth in this moment? hmm?) Gotta laugh at myself!

So, I realize I need to take a deep breath and calm down. I get myself focused, and get ready to go ‘out and about’ to pick up the paper to see my Book Signing AD, stop at the grocery store and then head out to lunch. I accomplish all this in a gradually more calming manner. I even got to try some of my uplifting, motivational talk with a friend’s daughter who recently lost her job, lost her boyfriend and relocated to the area. Isn’t it said, if you’re feeling down, reach out and help someone else? So, I felt good that I took the focus off myself, long enough, to help another soul.

Then, I thought to myself – I need a mini-vacation. If you got to read my CHUCKLING WITH THE DUCKS blog from last Fall; I decided to head over to Boiling Springs Children’s Lake (Central PA area of USA).

My intention was to sit in the same spot as before (I noticed the HA HA HA black marker letters were no longer there). My intention was to SIT, BE STILL, AND ALLOW NATURE TO CONTINUE ‘BEing’ around me. So, I find a nice spot on the gray stone step right down at the water level. The lake is fed by a natural water bubble, bubbling up from the earth. It was great. It was within a foot of me, where I sat!

I knew if I sat there long enough, even though it is a big lake, eventually the ducks, geese and white swans would slowly come by to visit. I knew all I had to do was relax and BE. I even got so relaxed as to remove my sneakers and socks (It was 74 degrees fahrenheit out!).

So, there I was, just BEing. Far from the madding crowd (ha ha). Ah, yes, *sigh – breathe in and out – far from thoughts of the Loonie-fields condo board ….. *sigh – ah yes – breathe in and out – just BEing – yessssss – birds twittering, flying, chirping…
feel the peace …

“HEY, HAVE YOU SEEN ANY SNAKES!” (laugh out loud) A red headed, freckled kid about 9 years old comes stomping towards me from the road. I look up and smile, telling him no, I hadn’t. I like kids and like talking and joking with them, so I didn’t mind.
The hilarious part is, (as I got up to help him look around for snakes and dip my feet in the cool refreshing water) he started to get more and more exaggerated with his LOVE of violence with animals! He let me know he had two days off school for the holiday.
He started to describe, in detail, the most deadly snakes of the world; how they bite and bite and bite and watch their prey slowly die! He went on and on and on! [WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PEACEFUL MOMENT?]

I asked where he had learned so much about snakes? He proudly revealed he had gone to the library! I told him that was great. He was frustrated that he had recently had to do a report on an animal for school. He said it had to be on the Polar Bear. I said, don’t you like Polar Bears? He said no, but all the GOOD animals were taken. He said he was 24th on the list to pick an animal and all the: SNAKES, LIONS, TIGERS – the good animals that kill stuff, were taken! I said, ‘Oh!’ (Was I talking to a future Charles Manson, here!) I said: Next time, if you want an interesting animal, try a rat or cockroach – they’ve been around since prehistoric times. They are amazing creatures. They adapt to all situations. HE WALKED AWAY! (laugh out loud!)

So, then – back to my PEACEFUL just BEing. Ah yess….. some ducks started to come towards me… a black bird… ah yess…. just BEing – then…. ‘JUMP DOWN TO THE GRAY ROCK NEAR THE WATER’S EDGE demanding: WHAT’S THIS!’ A woman coming behind the child, stating: THAT’S SEAWEED! (What seaweed was doing along the rock’s edge of a lake, I don’t know. ha ha The older woman was caught off-guard by the child’s question. She then said: ALGAE) Along comes another woman, who sits on the step directly behind me.

The first woman asks directly, as she sees my shoes and sneakers sitting on the wall to my left: FEET TIRED FROM WALKING? The little girl joins in: WHY DID YOU TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF!? (laugh out loud)

I said: ‘Because I’m a stressed out older woman who is working on relaxing.’ The older woman laughed. Then, an older gentleman (seemed to be a friend of the older woman) joined them. He came over to observe the little girl poking her stick at the: SHE ANNOUNCED – IT’S SEAWEED, GEORGE! IT’S SEAWEED! He said, Oh? (I had to laugh). Then, the little girl decided she needed to get up and down the steps by squeezing through the 2 inch space between the step I was sitting on and the wall. I was happy to accommodate. I thought it was funny. At one point, she was holding her stick with GOOPS AND GOOPS of dripping SEAWEED on it, about an inch from my head. The older woman asked her to not drip the GOOP ON THE LADY. (that was nice)

From listening to the foursome, it appeared the woman sitting behind me was the mother of the little girl. The mother had a back problem and had to take sitting breaks while walking around the lake. The older woman may have been a friend or grandparent.

I just had to laugh. I thought to myself while the little kid STORMED in with the SNAKES! question and the little girl who JUMPED freely off the wall down to the rock where I was sitting (along with the older woman talking to the girl’s mother about: MURDEROUS birds outside her window, knocking eggs out of a nest and killing the birds) – WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

I laughed to myself, and asked the question: ‘What am I learning here?’ I thought, ‘I drove AWAY from the Condo People to get some emotional and mental relaxation and I start to get VISITED by SNAKES, AND KIDS AND PEOPLE, OH MY!

Well, Dorothy, you didn’t have to leave Kansas to learn the lesson! I knew, when I got there, if I JUST SAT – the birds, swans, ducks and geese would softly, quietly, eventually float or fly over to me. I then realized, if I JUST SAT – the little boy with his snakes, the little girl with her seaweed goo, the woman with the murderous bird stories, eventually CAME and WENT!

After I realized this, I noticed the buds had started to sprout on the cherry blossom tree to my left. I noticed green buds appearing on the tree to my right. I noticed the Beautiful White Swans had suddenly appeared within viewing distance of me!

All I had to do was BE. Just BE. Sometimes loud little boys with stories of KILLER snakes appeared; sometimes little girls with Seaweed Goop, and sometimes blackbirds, ducks, geese or swans… but THEY ALL came and went.

It appears I experienced all the lessons of the Bible, Budhist Mindfulness, Rumi, and other great sources of inspiration – just by BEing at Children’s Lake in Boiling Springs this afternoon. As I type this, a little bird is working its way through the grass outside my window…. it came and now it is going. My cat Kitty stopped by to visit and lounge across the keyboard so I would pet her furry belly while she relaxed… then, she left…

Thanks to ALL that visited me today!
Living life in amazement!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
LOOK OUT! IT’S A SNAKE COVERED IN SEAWEED GOO! …just kidding!
Highlighted Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Living in the moment…
www.lafolot.com
[this blog post may also be seen at Vibrant Nation - Blog Circle name: Helenoflafolot ]

A Ha Ha Helen Szollosy, happy I got myself to this place, moment!

I’ve shared many ways to ‘turn the beat around’ in run on thought and emotional, thinking – out on on website blog. I’ve shared about turning negative worrisome thoughts to affirming/positive/repetitious thoughts; seeing negative blocks as ‘building blocks’ etc.

So …

I received a letter on my door (as did all the other condo owners) this afternoon. My first thought was, don’t open it, it’s another crazy letter from the Board!

Of course, the more I focused on NOT opening it, the BIGGER THE PROBLEM WITH THE LETTER appeared in my mind. Ha Ha! I ‘could’ see this and LAUGH at myself (this was a great growth moment!)

So, I approached the letter, took a deep relaxing breath and opened it. *pfew (such power this letter had over my emotions and mental health!)

Must have been printed on HEAVY BOND WEIGHT CARD STOCK, ya think?

So, it was an announcement of the newly elected Board members and a reviewing of the basic condo rules, yadda yadda yadda. I was familiar with a majority of them, but they threw in a few new ones.

Without going into details, this condo association has been a whirlwind of emotional, high flying activity for the past two years. Being a new owner and condo member, I was disappointed to have moved into such an emotionally unstable environment. Doorbell ringing due to board member resignations, two petitions going around with more doorbell ringing; condo neighbors coming to my door to tell me about parking space rules when it wasn’t me or my company in their spaces, etc etc

I renamed the place: Loony-fields Condominiums! (Hey! It makes me LAUGH to relieve the stress!)

So, I resolved the stress from my body being JARRED everytime one of the Loonie-field petitioners or board members would come BRINNNG BRRRRINNNNGING at my door bell. (They don’t seem to comprehend these are small, 2 bedroom units and the bell can be heard quite easily the first ring, thank you very much!) I started to place a little piece of paper between my screen/storm door lapping over the door bell button. It read: Please do not disturb.

Ahhhhh! Sweet peace! For the entire winter, I finally had a peaceful home environment. Well – LAUGH OUT LOUD here – they included in the new rules: No signs are to be placed on or near the units (AH HA HA HA). I’m thinking they were going through door bell ringing and petition ringing withdrawal. Maybe they need a mindfulness meditation group or Prozac?

So, I went out and dutifully took down my PEACE BRRRRRINGER. *smile

The other new note was: Please remove birdbaths from patios. Yep – I had a birdbath and was enjoying watching a fat Robin splashing around in it yesterday. So, out I went to remove the bird bath from my patio.

I should note here, prompt attention was needed due to a threat of a $50 fine for non-compliance.

WELL! How did I practice what I preach? I brought the beautiful, metalic-chip lined birth bath bowl into my home and thoroughly washed and disinfected it. The base is heavy wrought iron. The edge of the bowl is a rusty metal look. This all went very well with my Interior Design scheme.

I set the birthbath near my sliding glass door, filled it with water to create a reflective pool, and placed a large vanilla candle in the middle with five smaller candles encircling the larger.

As I sit here typing this blog, I am relaxed, smiling, and enjoying the candlelit, reflective, peaceful focal point I have created.

Ahhhhhh….*sigh and smile. THANK GOODNESS I ‘turned my thinking around’, let go of my fear of the enormous, monstrous letter and read it!

I NOW HAVE A BEAUTIFUL ACCENT to my home interior!

Glad I practiced what I preach!

Ha Ha Helen Szollosy of LAFOLOT
Living in the moment … of peace… for the moment *smile
LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN!
It’s not just FOR THE BIRDS!
www.lafolot.com
helenoflafolot@yahoo.com
[this blog may 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]

So – I pulled myself out of couch-potato mode – following my instinct, and headed for the City of Harrisburg’s Kipona-Arts Fest Susquehanna Riverfront Fest!

I dressed appropriately:

1 Tinsel-Deely Bobber Headband – CHECK!
1 ‘I Love to LAFOLOT’ Live Life! Laugh Often! T-Shirt – CHECK!
1 ‘Live Life! Laugh Often!’ canvas bag to carry – loaded with Giveaway Goodies! – CHECK!
1 SMILE planted on my face – CHECK!

It was my intention to ‘go with the flow’ and see what wonderful adventures I would experience.

I had lunch at my favorite Indian restaurant along the riverfront: Passage To India – wearing my tinsel deely-bobber headband while having lunch. *tee hee

Then – out to my car – parked in the lot along the riverfront – to prepare my walk UP THROUGH THE CROWD.

I remember thinking, ‘what an interesting AQUA – COLORED car had parked next to mine. Wouldn’t one of my LIVE LIFE! LAUGH OFTEN! Magnetic Bumper Displays look nice on the back of that car! *grin [Note: My car has my LAFOLOT magnet displal on the side - for advertising.]

So – I started to walk towards the River-fest… only to find they were charging for entrance! I didn’t have cash and didn’t want to walk through the Arts Fest part, anyway. I was told if I walked 3 blocks, I would get to the Kipona FREE Part – so I got my exercise for the day!

When I got to the FREE part, I started talking and mingling with folks as I went through the crowd. Greeting little doggies, SMILING my way through the crowd.

I stopped and stood next to a Harrisburg Firefighter who was holding a fireman’s boot and announcing: FILL THE BOOT! I told him I’d stand next to him with my TINSEL headband and see if I could help him get more donations for his cause. ;o) I stood there announcing: FILL THE BOOT! (I didn’t seem to draw anyone… so I moved on)

HERE’S THE MAGICAL MOMENT!!

I came across a mini set of bleachers with about 20 people sitting and waiting for a stage show at the BOB FM Radio stage. WHAT LUCK! IT WAS A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE!

I stopped, and announced: WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO PUT ON A SHOW WHILE YOU WAIT? Some of them said yes – so I gave them a big theatre BOW. ;o)

Then – I told them I was a LAUGHTER LEADER – I said: would you like me to get you to do some healthy laughter?

…none of them had tried to run, yet! *grin

I announced: HOW DO YOU SAY HELLO IN HAWAIIAN? One gentleman said meekly: Aloha
I asked them what it ended with? They said: HA! I said, ‘THERE YA GO! YOU’RE LAUGHING ALREADY! OK, NOW LET’S HOLLER OUT ALOHA AND KEEP LAUGHING AFTER WE REACH THE HA!

*SMILE….
They did it with me! SUCCESS!!! *tee hee ;o)

Just then, a woman in the front row said in excitement: ‘I’M GOING TO BE SPEAKING AT THE SAME EVENT AS YOU!’ I pulled out a flyer I had in my ‘bag of goodies’ for the:

http://www.women-connect.com WOMEN CONNECT – ‘KEYS TO CONNECTING’ Retreat Scheduled for the weekend of: September 25-26, 2009 [go to this site, click on the retreat info. and download the FLYER to see my Picture and Name on the flyer as a scheduled speaker! I'm in the big time, now!] The other speaker’s name is Mikell Worley.

I said to the crowd: YES! I’LL BE PRESENTING A LAUGHTER WELLNESS PROGRAM – LOOK! I HAVE THE BROCHURE! AND…. I SAID: HERE’S ANOTHER FAMOUS PERSON IN THE FRONT ROW WHO IS ALSO SCHEDULED TO SPEAK!!

Magical! What were the odds – with the large crowd along Riverfront Park – that I’d run into one of the other presenters, whom I had never met before!

She said: ‘You know, I parked my car next to yours and WONDERED if I’d run into you!”

KARMA!! PSYCHIC CONNECTION? I don’t know. UNCANNY!

So I still had a captive audience. I said: Wow! Did you all think you’d run into two famous women when you came here today? *grin

I gave out a few ‘Stress Reliever Pinwheels’, ‘Smile Face Bookmarks’ and 2 Magnetic bumper displays to folks in the crowd. I also told them about my website: www.lafolot.com and my once-a-month laughter club.

Besides the ALOHA laugh, I got them to do the vowel-sounds laugh exercise with me!

Then, the real performer, a country singer playing a guitar came on stage, so I sat down and took off my deely bobber headband so as not to block their view.

WOW! What a magical moment! To PARK next to and RUN INTO a fellow women’s retreat speaker and get such a golden opportunity of a captive, receptive audience!

JUST GOTTA LAUGH AT THE SYNCHRONICITY OF IT ALL!

p.s. on the way back to my car, I continued to wear a BIG SMILE and my tinsel-headband. I passed a group of young-Hispanic males. I chose to keep the smile going and release any fear. One of them hollered out: ‘LINDA!’ [beautiful, in Spanish]
Well! For whatever it’s worth – a smile makes everyone beautiful! I accepted the compliment with grace.

HA HA Helen of Lafolot
Living Life in Amazement!
Live Life! Laugh Often!
www.laugholot.com