Mike’s topic below hits the nail on the head with me.  I am the owner of a deep (AND RIDICULOUSLY LOUD) laugh when something really strikes a nerve.  My brother has told me more than once that I’m the lady with a thousand different laughs depending on the situation.  I laugh till I cry (those laughs are usually mostly silent because I can’t breathe and there is always a loud sucking noise inbetween silent bouts of eye popping, mouth wide open but nothing coming out laughter), I giggle for long stretches about something no one else gets, I pound things, I usually slink down in my chair and throw my head back, I laugh from my toes and I have….yes….the dreaded MAN LAUGH at times.  It can be so deep and loud you’d think I’m 6′4″ with beard.  Not pretty but its completely who I a. (Did I mention I’m the proud mother of two kids who BOTH got voted class clowns in their 8th grade yearbooks.)

I laugh a lot.  It’s a lifestyle.  Read Mike’s article below and let laughter cleanse you, as he so aptly explains.

The Laughable Life By Mike Shippey

“At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities” - Jean Houston

Laughter is a remarkable thing.

I’ve often said to people that it is in my ability to laugh, at myself and at circumstances around me, that I have remained sane in this ever changing world.  Now, I don’t know exactly how sane I am, but I can assure you that had I not figured out how much fun it is and how therapeutic it can be to laugh, I would have been a much different and likely crazier dude.

Just stop for a moment and consider how powerful laughing is as it pertains to attitude.

It is impossible to feel bad or be mad or to resent or to be stressed out when you are laughing.  Impossible.  Even when you fake laughter, you feel better. If you don’t believe me, then try to prove me wrong. You won’t be able to do it.  Laughter is unmatched as a source for replenishing the soul.  It is to your essence what a full tank of gas is to a car.  When you laugh, you literally reload yourself.

So, if attitude is everything, I say it owes laughter a great debt for it’s lofty ranking.

I think I learned the true value of laughter and attitude when I was in in the 4th grade.  I was in a new school at the time, and of course I was hoping to make friends.  It seemed that I had developed some kind of knack for coming up with witty comments in just about any situation.  And I noticed that when I would express this new found ability, a bunch of other kids would laugh. It was really fun.  The guys thought I was cool and funny…the girls all smiled at me in that way they only smile at someone who is interesting (you know, as interesting as you can be at nine year old).  It was awesome!  Of course, if my wit happened to be directed toward anything that the teacher said, I often found myself being scowled at, or separated from the happy crew of students at my table. It didn’t discourage me though.  I parlayed it into a lifestyle, which from an academic standpoint culminated in my achieving the “Class Clown” award as a senior in high school. From a real life standpoint, it has made me the person that I am today.  Sane, hopefully to some significant degree, and an absolute lover of life! It has also created in me a positive outlook, which has in turn transformed my life into something completely different than what it might have been.

After all, your perspective of life is indeed your reality.

The quote by Jean Houston at the beginning of the post eludes to the fact that there are a lot of possibilities out there, and they will begin to present themselves to you more clearly once you learn to let go, and really laugh. The universe can be an absolutely amazing place to exist once you learn how to do this. And it isn’t something that requires an incredible talent, or hours upon hours of training.  It’s already programmed into you. You just may not have tapped into it yet.

It has been my observation that those individuals who seem to be able to enjoy their lives to the fullest are also the ones who exercise this ability to laugh at all kinds of things. They might not always be the guy or gal at the party with the lamp shade on their head, so to speak, (and yes, in case you’re wondering I have done that before) but they have always been the ones who could laugh at humorous observations, funny jokes, odd circumstances, and witty comments. And when the laughter starts to flow, it creates a wonderful energy that allows any one of us to realize our own potential.

Laughing also cleanses as much as it revitalizes.

Having a positive attitude doesn’t necessarily mean that you are walking around with a smile on your face 24/7. In fact, if you’re not The Joker from the Batman saga, then you can’t really be smiling all the time.  Sometimes life throws us a curve ball or two.  Sadness and anguish make up happiness to the same degree that failure is a big part of success. So there are going to be tough times, even for the positive thinkers, and even for those who are prone to laugh.  But when you do feel down or upset, laughter enables you to start a cleansing process that will again take you to where you need to be mentally and emotionally.  It may not be easy, but it is a direct route out of despair.

Learn to laugh.

Laugh at yourself, and laugh at some of the things that you see playing out around you. Begin to enjoy your current circumstances for all of the right reasons. And if the circumstances aren’t exactly what you want them to be, laugh at that!  Not only will you feel better instantly, but you will begin to open yourself up to the limitless possibilities that exist for you. You will be in the best frame of mind to receive inspiration which can carry you as far as you are willing to let it carry you.  And all just for a few laughs.

Mike Shippey is a writer who has a passion for helping people become better at what they do, laugh, find happiness, and ultimately achieve their dreams, goals and desires. He has been in sales and sales management for over 23 years, and has conducted numerous motivational meetings, retreats, seminars, and has been a success coach.

Mike is a self-proclaimed sports fanatic who loves music, movies and comedy, but enjoys time with his family most. Originally from southern California, Mike is married to his soulmate and is the father of two amazing kids.

He writes at http://www.habitualvictory.com

May the 2010 bring you great health and fabulous new beginnings.

From my heart to yours, Merry Christmas and  a Joy-filled New Year.

The Alchemists Advice:

Dreams.  We all have them. They begin as thoughts.

Of course we know that all of our thoughts are a “work in progress” so to speak.  We had a thought and now the **Big Guys in the Sky** are shifting, shimmying, moving and shaking to make that dream a reality.  Cool.  No effort on our part besides the thinking piece, right……          NOT!

Hold tight.  There is way more to bringing your dream to fruition than just having that thought and letting it go.  The scenario described above is how you unconsciously create your world.  To be a deliberate creator you must put in a tad of effort.  Three spot-on suggestions for helping you to be deliberate in your creation are:

• Remind the **Big Guys in the Sky** what EXACTLY it was you wanted, think of your dream often
• Show the Universe what it is you want by visualizing it
• Be here now…don’t make the dream occur somewhere off in the future, imagine yourself in that situation right now, this encourages the Big Guys to get ‘er done.
• Take action. Don’t make them do all the work.  When they give you some direction or a nudge, act on it.  Some things simply require your input.

And now,

A REALLY BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

It’s my very own “work in progress” but dreams held to your chest and gripped tightly don’t do my much good.  By sharing my dream I give it power.  So here I go, this is my hands down most powerful dream ever and it is becoming my reality.  So here it is…..

I am writing my first novel and it’s a KA-DOOZY!  Fiction with a twist.  The working title is “End With a Prayer: A Novel Approach to Law of Attraction”

* PHEW* I said it.  Now it will grow. My strength as a deliberate creator just expanded.  I thank you ahead of time for supporting me and my work in progress.  It is bringing me great joy and generally speaking when I am feeling this way….well, watch out world.

Check out this little deliberate creator.

Enjoy today. And oh, my **Big Guys in the Sky** concept is that Universal Forces surround us and encourage us in the right direction.  Whether you choose to see them as a band of comical gypsies (like me) or a host of angels or mysterious forces, understand the The Best Chess Player EVER is making moves on your behalf you won’t ever even know about.  I like to poke fun at the Chess Player, and you know what, he’s okay with it.  (I actually think I just saw him move my rook and that rook is in the form of a publisher reading my latest manuscript).
Follow me:  @ladycreative

Ben and Jerry’s be damned.  I just read it today, a statement by a PR specialist.  She said, very plainly:  Don’t be vanilla!

No sooner than I read the words the answer instantly popped in (in a very Samuel Jackson-like voice) and said “You are Raspberry-Lemon with Homemade Whipped Cream”.  Okay, so I exaggerated.  What the voice said was “You are Rapberry and Lemon.”  I added the part of Homemade Whipped Cream by myself later as an after-thought.

Now the kind lady who initiated the question was speaking of publicity and celebretizing yourself but it really got my mind on a tangent.  What do most people consider themself when it comes to flavor?  Me, the word fruity comes to mind (hence the raspberries and lemons) and that word certainly suits my silliness, but what else do they represent?  Raspberries, well I love the varied surface of them.  Tiny little nodes that make up one big burst of flavor definitely connects with my own ADD-like need to have my fingers in everything.  For me each node would represent something I do:  writing, painting, drawing, planning, the administrator, the crafter, the baker, on and on . A  fat pink raspberry that explodes with deliciousness and variety.

The lemon, well geez, I didn’t like to think of myself as a lemon, but let’s be real about this, under the yellow skin is a fleshy substance that gives its recipient a dash of flair. Did you ever add a squirt of lemon to your fish before you bake it?  Squeeze the juice over your veggies before grilling them?  Press the liquid into your cold water?  Lemons are diverse and they always add a little kick.

The whipped cream line I added because I think of myself as a softy.  I’m sort of mushy.  Okay.  I’m very soft and mushy.  Yes, I cry watching the holiday Folger’s commercial, the one where the soldier surprises his parents by coming home for Christmas.  I am soft and sweet.  Whipped Cream Tam.

So it is settled, I am not vanilla and I’m also not a half-caff double mocha latte with cinnamon. Who are you?? What do you represent or should I say what flavor do you represent?  In the giant smorgasboard of life what flavor do you want to be associated with?

AND, most importantly,  if you are feeling like black coffee what will it take to turn life around and have you become the half-caff double mocha latte with cinnamon?

To Wisdom

Wisdom is

sweeter than honey,

brings more joy

than wine,

illumines more than the sun,

is more precious

than jewels.

She causes the ears to hear

the heart to comprehend.

I love her

like a mother,

and she embraces me

as her own child.

I will follow

her footprints

and she will not cast me away.

Makeda, Queen of Sheba ca.1000BC

My life.  It’s gotten so blissfully out of control, this wild and wonderful life I live, I just had to share it.  It hit me last week, like a ton of bricks, that I truly am a Master Alchemist creating my own life through the Law of Attraction.

“Yeah, right.” you may say, but I would ask that you read on.

It was at the CEO Space 1009 Forum that Mark Victor Hansen spoke of the last words, the final thoughts you have before you fall asleep being the most important and impressive within your subconscious.  He declared that we could positively affect ourselves by stating a mantra over and over again.  He even suggested saying it as many as 400 times.  Since I am a born optimist and a believer in the the power of  “I AM” statements I decided to give this a try.  I soon fell asleep to “I am rapidly increasing my income.” playing over and over in my head while visioning myself writing $1,000 deposits into my checkbook register.

Each time I got in my car I would repeat my mantra:  “I am rapidly increasing my income”. I got so that I was laughing and giddy.  I could feel my teeth drying in the breeze because my smile was so big.  It felt good in my whole being.  When something feels that good I say keep it up, so I did.  Over and over and over again I said it.  Loud and proud I said it.  In between giggles I said it.

Mark Victor Hansen had also said to practice the TEN TEN TEN system.  Send ten percent of your money to charity, save ten percent and spend ten percent of your money.  Beyond that, he indicated that if you don’t truly have the extra to do it just yet, then simply practice it.  He suggested we take a book of old checks and every single day tithe, save and play with $1,000 dollars.  Write the checks however you see fit and engrain the joy of it into your muscle memory and your soul.  I had started doing that two weeks earlier.

Two of my girlfriends love vision boards and I’ve been collecting pictures and looking at them quite a lot.  One night I sat down and put them together in a collage.  Again, I was burning my vision into my cells.

An internet marketer musician friend asked that I review his audio tapes of powerful affirmations that he backed up with fabulous music.  I didn’t listen to them just once.  I found myself playing them continuously as I worked at my computer in the afternoons.

One very special queen had suggested that I journal my gratitude’s, my successes, my daily laugh attacks and my financial increases.  I have been doing this since May, drilling into my cells all of the good things that are going on in my life.
“SO WHAT” does all of this mean you say?  Well listen on as I tell you why this is a big deal because last week I experienced moment after moment of increase and attainment.  I was such a masterful alchemist that it got to be almost frightening!  It all started with this little mantra that I repeated hundreds of times during the day:

I AM RAPIDLY INCREASING MY INCOME. Following three weeks of no work, my new J.O.B. finally called me to help them get set up.  This new coffeehouse/cafe needed me. Yes!

I AM RAPIDLY INCREASING MY INCOME. Before the second shift was over they approached me with thoughts of being a shift “leader” and managing on the days the owner needed time off.  I agreed.  Yes.

I AM RAPIDLY INCREASING MY INCOME. By the third time I arrived for work they pulled me aside and said “We really like you, you are so organized and well put together.  We need your help.  The cook is overwhelmed.  Can you step in as our company baker?  It comes with a $2 an hour raise.”  He he he.  Allrightythen!  I’m in.

I AM RAPIDLY INCREASING MY INCOME. The end of day three comes around, I’m up to my elbows in cookie dough, I have flour on my cheeks, cinnamon in my left ear, and 20 muffins cooling so that the cafe can open for it’s first lunch hour when the assistant manager approaches me and says “We really like you. You have a great style and know how to make things operate smoother.  Will you train all of our staff?!”   Heheheheheh.  “And oh.  We’re really tired and need time off. If you’ll just manage the place tonight, take the money from the register, be sure everyone is all set and then lock the door behind you we’d really appreciate it.  Can you do that??”  hehehehhee.  “And Tam, we’re going to pay you your new higher wage for all of the retro hours we owe you.  We really like you.”

Wow.

I RAPIDLY INCREASED MY INCOME. Again and again and again last week I increased my income, my stature, my level of peer respect and my self esteem.  I actually got so I was afraid to go in to work for fear that they might hand me the keys and say “We really like you.  Here.  You can you own it?!”  Thankfully, it didn’t go that far.  But for now, I have a job I enjoy for a healthy wage during a time when so many other people are fighting for air.

Oddly enough, as a terrific side effect to my alchemy, I noticed that my VIP seems to have increased his own income.  I am silently watching as more money finds its way into his life and he joyfully accepts it.  Alchemy is catchy I think.

I feel that my cellular structure is changing due to my positive “I AM” statements and the associated feelings I had while making the statement, while visualizing my outcomes, while putting the desires into my muscle memory.  All of those pieces of the puzzle worked together to bring to fruition the delightful results I am now experiencing.

Since I am now in a positive position within this company I am changing my ‘I Am” statement to be more clearly what I want.

I AM A BEST SELLING AUTHOR AND I AM RAPIDLY INCREASING MY INCOME THROUGH MULTIPLE ONLINE SALES. This should stop me from getting the keys to a J.O.B. and bring me closer to the life I see myself in.  For today I am happy, healthy and joyfully enjoying each moment.  And, with sugar crystals falling from my bangs and blueberry stains on my fingers I offer you this advice:

Believe that you too, are a master alchemist.  Create your own reality through your words, your actions, your visions.  Begin today with your own “I Am” .

I Am Tam,  Master Alchemist with a Minor in Baking.

Going to the air conditioned grocery store to fill and feed my stomach’s constant ache is no longer going to be an issue.  Why should I continue to write a check or swipe my debit card at a fluorescent filled warehouse when I can have fresh, colorful, all natural products delivered to me as I help sustain a farm?  If you are like me and appreciate the goodness that fresh, hand tended vegetables  bring to your table then please click below.

Watch the My Organic Acres movies, understand the concept and then register to own your own garden or to simply take part in shopping via their on-line general store instead of the local cement filled warehouse.  Your health, your heart and your Earth will thank you for it!

I urge you to go now, support organic gardens and an all-natural breakfast, lunch and dinner!  This is important.

Food preparation is another form of mixed media art. It is a creative feast to the eyes, the nose and the palate.  The owner of TeachHealCreate dot com is proud to be a certified foodie.  Jumpstart your own life with organic food.

Scrambled eggs with chunks of tomatoes and crumbled chevre and chives.

Whole wheat wraps with layers of cucumbers, avocado, carrot, spinach, and garlic hummus.

Fresh baked fish with roasted beets and an argula salad on the side.

MMMM, mmmmm, good!

(I don’t have a tomato picture and I don’t want to use stock photos so here is a purple cabbage for you.)  Isn’t she beautiful?!

And as  promised…

…Rhyme of the Tomato…

Isn’t it grand

how you fit in my hand!

Painted in red

You were plucked from your bed,

Then sliced by my knife

While perfectly ripe.

In your flesh I delight

and try as I might

to savor each bite

You are gone in a blink

and my shoulders do shrink.

And I long await

next summer’s date

when you’ll be in my hand

and I’ll again find it grand.

Thank you, Big Boy, Early Girl, Sweet 100!  You had me at hello.

Support local farms.  Buy local.

It’s been a week since Good Energy day and I told you I wore this shirt on Good Energy Day ( #999) and I did.  It was such a fabulous day and today I’m sort of reliving it.  I’m trying to soak up the vibes that are still out there floating around in the ethers.

I know Good Energy works.  I know positive thinking makes a difference.  I got a beautiful facebook message from a friend who is struggling right now.  She said “How to achieve the kind of positive attitude that you have is a complete mystery to me… but it is still something I strive for and hope to have some day. I’m beginning to learn that life is all about connections, learning, shared experiences, and love of all forms - and you have blown me away with all of those things.”

She got my vibe and now wants to build her own better vibe.  In my mind, that is true success, making a difference in someone else’s life to me is success.

By the way, here is the text message I sent to a whole bunch of people that Good Energy morning.  My son called me, much later in the day and said “Mom, I got this random text message from you today, it said MWAH!”  and he chuckled.  I knew when I heard his deep chuckle that in the moment he had received my text message he had a hit of good energy.  That’s just how it works. Spread the love and ride the wave.

Perfect.

I have succeeded.  Please feel free to report your own successes here, in my comments area.

What are you doing to continue the good energy movement?
By the way, do you want your own Make Tea, Not War shirt to wear?  Go here.

Today I am wearing my favorite t-shirt.  It’s chocolate brown, long sleeved and it says on it “Make Tea, Not War” .  It’s one way I am showing my support of Good Energy Day.

This day, above all others this year, is part of movement of world wide peace.  At 9:09:09 am wherever you are it is asked that think good, positive thoughts.  Get sucked into a big smile, feel the high vibrations in your belly, your heart, throat, face and explode into joy.  Let the feeling envelop you, let it cloak you while you sit in the goodness of other people who feel exactly as you do.

OH MY, but that is TOO SILLY! Is it??  Do you really feel you are above smiling because someone asked you to?  What if everybody on this planet felt that same way and no one could bring themselves to do this because it is beneath them, they don’t have time, they feel it is ridiculous and embarrassing~ wouldn’t the people of this planet be in a quite pucker?!  If you think this grand scheme of bringing good energy vibes to the planet is ludicrous but you secretly want to participate (just for kicks) then this plan is for you.

At 9:07 excuse yourself to use the rest room.  Close the door behind you and get comfy.  It’s fast approaching so start thinking soothing thoughts, funny thoughts, remember someone special to you.  Think about the last delicious piece of pizza you ate, the mouthwatering steak you shared with your friend, the crackling fire when you were at camp, the letter you got from your favorite aunt, the smell of your nephew’s newborn skin.    You’re feeling a smile coming on now, aren’t you.  Good.  Go with it.  Get into that feeling and stay there.  Keep smiling and feel your heart growing and pulsing to your joy.

Now ~  check your watch.

It’s officially 9:15, you got stuck in the good vibes and your boss is looking for you.  Go!  Go now.  You just participated in a world wide movement of Good Energy and now I can tell you a deep, dark secret.  Once I tell you the secret you must PROMISE, above all else, to tell everyone you meet….

You can have good energy moments Every. Single. Day.  (shhhhhhhhh)

To learn more about the Good Energy Day please click here:  GOOD ENERGY DAY.

To purchase a t-shirt like mine, click here:  MAKE TEA, NOT WAR

Today at 9:09:09 I will be smiling, wearing my t-shirt and texting NINE people who I love.  I will be shedding tears of joy for the healing of a planet, an Earth I love and respect and the people who inhabit it.

Good energy to you, my friend.  MWAH!