12.20.12
Posted in Comedy Around The World, Humor~Events, Humor~Health & Goals, Stress and Change, humor & hope at 1:47 am by Dr. Trina Hess
I decided to bring back Comedy Around the World. This week’s episode goes shopping for Christmas presents!
Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s right up there with Groundhog Day and April Fool’s Day. But not for the reasons you may think. It’s not because people are in a good mood, or willing to be kind to one another. That’s old hat.
I love this time of year because people are willing to go completely off the chain of logic and reason.
We claim that Christmas is a stressful time. But in fact, we’re throwing OFF our stress-inducing habits.
* We’re NOT hypervigilant about gas prices when there’s shopping to be done.
* We’re NOT paranoid about keeping to our time schedules.
* We DON’T care about our diets.
* We are solely focused on having FUN.
Here are some examples I’ve witnessed (or committed) myself:
1. People are completely un-gas-saving. Forgot a present for someone? Just drive another 30 miles out of your way. It’s a gift. It’s Christmas. If you’re in Pittsburgh, perhaps you could drive over to Robinson Town Centre.
2. People are wholly unselfish. I was about to pay for my groceries at the Amish smashed can store when the owner handed me a pen. I said, “I’ve already signed UP for the free gift certificate.” I had obeyed the sign that read, ”Just write your name and phone number.” Where they were getting a phone, I didn’t know. He said, “NO! This is a GIFT!” Completely unnatural especially since the store sells $4.95 health food store crackers for .35 cents. Insane!
3. People jump start their impulsiveness by throwing out their schedules. Have to get up at 5:30 a.m. for work? Doesn’t matter, stores are open until 10. And you will go shopping, because it is Christmastime.
What other time of the year lets us let ourselves be so free, so unfettered, and at ease? No, we’re not non-conformist—at this time of year EVERYone is being nonconformist. But we ARE being truer to ourselves.
Staying up late when we shouldn’t.
Eating sugar-laden foods haphazardly because friends are near.
Driving maniacally from store to store when gas is $4.52 a gallon.
Nonsense!
Madness!
And very, very FUN.
What are YOU doing that is irrational and illogical this Christmas season? How funny (and STRESS-FREE) is THAT?
Living Between the Extremes is the research study Dr. Trina Hess conducted at Penn State University. Subtitled, “How do single, mid-life women reconstruct their identity after a work transition,” the study highlights those tools that describe and inform the process of change. Find out about the change programs offered by Dr. Trina Hess atwww.trinahess.com
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Posted in Humor & change, Humor attitude, Humor~Events, Humor~Health & Goals, Stress and Change, The Change Process, humor & hope at 1:28 am by Dr. Trina Hess
Let the games begin! I vote to bring back Festivus. The man-made holiday you probably remember from
Seinfeld. Forget about charming, candy-coated Christmas season. Let’s get real!
I thought about Festivus when I heard the statistic that the highest rate of suicide is during the Christmastime holiday. Seems completely untrue. Christmas is for love, caring, giving, hope, etc., etc., etc.
The problem is that we’re supposed to think that. And then we’re supposed to live up to that, and —worse—expect that from other people.
The holiday season slams the door on humor. Here’s why:
1. We seldom look at a stressful situation in its entirety. What is the whole situation, what are all our feelings—both good and bad?
2. We aim unrealistically high in our goal to achieve the Rockwell painting. A painting that was probably a fake—has anyone really ever checked?
3. We work against our own best interests, neglect our mental and spiritual health. In short, we generally and habitually put ourselves last.
4. We aren’t having fun because at the holidays we meet up with the most stressful person in the world: ourselves!
So what’s the remedy? How CAN we make Christmas the way it’s “supposed” to be?
By not expecting it to BE anything. It’s not “supposed” to be happy. The holiday was variously pagan, and then involved birthing a baby in a Middle Eastern barn and freezing with no heat. How fun is that?
And from there, it has morphed into a one-up-man-ship of better and better gifts. Out-doing each other in holiday parties. Worrying about the kids hating us for not getting them cool toys. Loathing ourselves for continuing to do things we hate doing like sending Christmas cards, etc., etc., etc.
No wonder people get depressed at this time of year!
Here’s a strategy that is not “supposed” to work, but you can try it anyway.
—> If you don’t like doing a holiday task, stop doing it. Sure everyone will hate you for not mutually sending cards. But maybe they will hate you regardless.
—> If you simply cannot stop yourself from sending Christmas cards, do it the Festivus way. Write in the card all the ways that particular person has disappointed you. Next year you can stop, because they won’t miss your card.
—> Get real with yourself. If you’re ready to burst into tears because you don’t even know what an iPod is and you have to buy one so your family member will be happy—well, then, just have a break-down. Right there in the kitchen store where you’ve gone to find an iPod.
Follow these tips and maybe YOU can set the example for others to get real, too. If we have entire cities of people who can’t deal with the holidays maybe we’ll all feel less stressful.
Feel free to add to the list. The only thing that is “supposed” to be on the list is what keeps YOUR humor nature alive and healthy.
What’s so funny about that? Simply everything.
Living Between the Extremes is the research study Dr. Trina Hess conducted at Penn State University. Subtitled, “How do single, mid-life women reconstruct their identity after a work transition,” the study highlights those tools that describe and inform the process of change. Find out about the change programs offered by Dr. Trina Hess atwww.trinahess.com
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05.10.12
Posted in Humor & change, Humor attitude, Humor~Events, Learning Identity, The Change Process, humor & hope, www.HumorAcademy.com at 4:22 pm by Dr. Trina Hess
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, nineteen of us took off in a hotel shuttle bound for glory. Or at least International Arrivals. With red noses, hand-made flowers, and bags of candy, we were flying free. What else but joy would cause normally sane people to wear funny hats, red noses, loud puppets, and a sense of fearlessness and go interact with strangers?
Just got done interviewing Danny Donuts, CPA (Comedic Performance Artist) as part of the Academy Interview series on Talkshoe internet radio. We discussed our recent field trip to O’Hare Airport International Arrivals. It was part of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor Conference in Chicago last month. We did the “Applied” part, and we did it well!
That was the first thing we did right, without even knowing it.
1. We got rid of our ego. We didn’t care how ridiculous or stupid we looked or felt. As Danny said, “All we had to do was show up.” When we were sans ego, we could connect, interact, make eye contact un-selfconsciously. We were more apt to empathize with the weary traveler, the overworked agent, the eager family member waiting a loved one’s arrival. And so we knew spontaneously and naturally what to offer this or that person.
In doing that, we accomplished our second hidden task:
2. We gave ourselves permission to be zany. Our line formed to the right of the arrivals station. We shouted, we cheered, we offered candy and red noses. We smiled and sometimes sang. Our freedom allowed the people around us permission to smile. To laugh. To accept our candy and red noses, our flowers and our fun.
What were we really doing?
3. We altered the way we relate to one another. We formed relationships where the “real world” said we shouldn’t or couldn’t: With TSA agents. With French-speakers. With airline pilots. People far above us, or well below us–or so we thought. In that shared experience, what Danny Donuts calls a “space” that we created, there were no levels. Only humans. And most of them were fun.
4. “We were getting these people right out of customs,” Danny said in his interview with me. What he meant was literal. What we experienced was figurative. People really were out of their customs: out of their customary way they would act in an airport: Devoid of joy and filled with fear of the unknown. Whether they were arriving in America, in the waiting area to leave their country, or on a long shift at their job in the airport. What we brought them was something out of the ordinary–a reason to smile.
It all worked brilliantly because we attended to the main point:
5. We were respectful and compassionate. We didn’t just show up and make noise. Details were worked out, plans had been made, materials had been organized. That way, we were at some level of control, because the passengers and onlookers had no chance to be in control. We hadn’t asked their permission to join our space. But because it was planned out in advance, we offered a sense of security–even within our zaniness.
Want to see who was most likely to respond with smiles, laughter? Visit this short video clip and see for yourself! Who did Danny Donuts think responded the most? “The kids,” Danny said, “AND the employees: Because they were more in their comfort zone in the airport. The TSA agents saw something out of the ordinary, and so they responded” with laughter and smiles.
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02.15.12
Posted in Humor attitude, Humor~Events, Humor~Inspirational, Learning Identity, The Change Process, humor & hope, www.HumorAcademy.com at 4:41 am by Dr. Trina Hess
I spent Valentine’s Day this year ice skating and then going to a funeral home. Big fun, right? Normally Valentine’s Day is riddled with anxiety: Will I get good gifts? Will I get any gifts? What should I get people? Will I be able to get my grandma’s gift to her in time?
But this year was different. No romance, no saccharine, no consumerism. Just pure love.
One of my fellow ice skating students is experiencing the end of her seventeen-year marriage. It’s her first Valentine’s Day alone–ever. Another friend just lost her sister and today was the viewing. My friend Mrs. B spent her second Valentine’s Day as a widow. In the midst of a cold, rehearsals, and deadlines, I didn’t even get my grandma anything—not even a card. How can any of that be called love?
It was LOVE that happened around all those events.
I called my Grandma to wish her a Happy Valentine’s Day. She didn’t say, “Hey, where is my card, the flowers, what’s going on?” That was love.
Today my ice skating instructor passed me on the adult basic skills class. Even though I still can’t do the snowplow stop. “You don’t know when to stop.” “Yes I do; I just don’t know HOW.” That was love.
At the end of class, my ice skating friend called happily after the instructor, “Happy Valentine’s Day!” She even cheered me up about the ending of my own two-year relationship. Her attitude made me think she was part of a happy couple, and getting lots and lots of gifts this Valentine’s Day! No. It was just love.
When I showed up at the viewing, the family was ready to leave. That I was dressed like a bag lady after hurriedly dressing after ice skating class—didn’t matter. I was there. That was love.
I remembered how we all spent a Sunday afternoon together last Fall, taking pictures of the leaves. I hugged my friend’s nephew, whose mom had just died. I hugged my friend and her sister. I didn’t know what to say. It was just love.
Then my friend told her family, “I’m going back in with Trina.” That was love. When I asked her if she wanted me to come to the funeral tomorrow before my appointments with both the periodontist and the orthodontist, she said, “Don’t push yourself.” That was love. That I just may make it a triumvirate and do those two plus a funeral–that isn’t love. But if you’re going to have a bad day, you may as well go full throttle. (“Do it wrong, do it strong,” as they told us in Second City…).
When I got home, I called Mrs. B to wish her Happy Valentine’s Day. “We made it through didn’t we?” she said. She’d seen “eight men in the store buying Valentine’s Day gifts for their sweetheart, and I got a pang in my Heart, ‘he’s not with me’…” and her voice trailed off.
She told me she’d spent the day with her family and her new puppy. We talked about the new kitten that wandered into my yard and my life. (And how I hope it isn’t the neighbor’s because I’m keeping it.) That was love. (And possession, but mostly love.)
We talked about the peeing on the floor, the destruction of newspapers. That the hyperactivity of the new puppy made her, “so busy I didn’t have time to dwell on it. He’s up in Heaven with Jesus this year.” That was love.
She said last year she was in such shock that nothing registered for her. This year nothing registered for me. And—I wasn’t worried about it. I can get gifts tomorrow. Cheaper. In fact, I can give gifts any time of the year.
Why does this day have to have a certain “look?” We don’t have any expectations about how people “should” act or be, or what to buy on Halloween, Groundhog Day, or April Fool’s Day. And so, those are the most enjoyable holidays (for me, anyway. Even though there are no iced sugar cookies at those times…).
I’ve decided that Valentine’s Day (or any holiday) doesn’t need to look like anything.
As long as there is love.
Love within pain is sometimes the most meaningful. The most profound. And the most true.
When we’re not focusing on our own pain, we are love.
And that was a Happy Valentine’s Day for me. How funny is THAT?
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01.06.11
Posted in Humor~Events at 2:42 am by Dr. Trina Hess
Now HERE’s something different. Very different. From the Pittsburgh Public Theater, and FREE for at least one of you…
BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE
TO SELECT PERFORMANCES OF
REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY’S
THE COMPLETE WORLD
OF SPORTS (abridged)
Get ready for the most hilarious workout of your life as the Reduced Shakesepeare Company covers every single sport ever played on every continent in the entire history of the word in under two hours!
Sunday, Jan 9 at 7pm
Call 412.316.1600 or BUY ONLINE and use promo code SAVEBIG to BOGO.
Not valid on previously purchased tickets or in combination with any other offer.
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“Owes as much to the INSANITY OF MONTY PYTHON as to the inanity of actual sports programs” -Boston Globe
“KNOCKOUT LAUGHTER!“ -Lowell Sun
“I hate sports. But I COULDN’T STOP LAUGHING from the moment the RSC took the stage.“ -Eagle-Tribune
BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE!
Call 412.316.1600 or BUY ONLINE and use promo code SAVEBIG to BOGO.
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01.04.11
Posted in Humor~Events at 3:45 am by Dr. Trina Hess
Speakers, have you ever wondered what meeting planners are thinking? Now is your chance to find out!
On Wednesday, January 19, 2011, a panel of meeting planners will spend time answering your biggest questions and helping you understand your toughest challenges.
The panel will consist of:
Lynne Popash– VisitPittsburgh
Joyce Froetschel– Entertainment Unlimited
Miriem Bauer– Bauer Meeting Planners. Inc.
Michele Sawka - Minerals, Metals & Materials Society
Brian Taylor– Pittsburgh Society of Association Executives
Cost: NSA-Pittsburgh Members and Affiliates - $35, Nonmembers- $45, $55 at the door.
Register at www.NSAPittsburgh.com
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01.01.11
Posted in Humor~Events at 12:28 am by Dr. Trina Hess
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A Tele-Seminar for Emerging Speakers
Featuring Jeff Tobe
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Attention Authors, Speakers, and Other Professionals:
Are You Ready to Take Steps Towards a Speaking Career?
Are You an Author Who’d Like to Speak to Promote Your Book?
Would You Like to Increase Your Current Speaking Business and
Attract More Bookings?
You’re Invited to a FREE Tele-seminar for
Emerging Speakers
Presented by
Featuring
Jeff Tobe, CSP
Attend this valuable tele-seminar and learn:
- How to Get Noticed by and Work with Speakers Bureaus Around the Country
- How to Leverage Your Writing Skills to Attain Higher Speaking Fees
- How to Market Yourself as a Professional Speaker to Top Paying Clients
- How to Build Passive Income to Supplement Your Business
Tuesday, January 4th at 6pm Eastern Time 3pm Pacific Time
Register Now!
www.PittsburghProfessionalWomen.com
Call details will be sent via email upon registration. If you are unable to make the call, register anyway, because a recording will be made available on our website.
Hope to “SEE” you on the call!
Beth Caldwell
Executive Director
Pittsburgh Professional Women
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Pittsburgh Professional Women
651 Holiday Drive, Suite 300
Foster Plaza 5
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
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Posted in Humor~Events at 12:05 am by Dr. Trina Hess
Michael McGlone in Celebrity Autobiography in Clearwater, Florida January 4-8, 2011
 On January 4th Michael McGlone will return to the stage in the latest series of Performances of the hysterical Celebrity Autobiography, created by Gene Pack…a Show in which the Autobiographies of such notables as Elizabeth Taylor, Burt Reynolds, Loni Anderson, Tommy Lee, Tiger Woods and a host of others are read and enjoyed by the readers and audience both.The actors featured in Celebrity Autobiography have been as impressive as the subjects, including Matthew Broderick, Tony Roberts, Brooke Shields, Rita Wilson, Dick Cavett, Rosie Perez, Fred Willard and many more…
There are two Shows daily over the course of five days, McGlone will appear in…reading from the famed Autobiographies of Burt Reynolds, Geraldo Rivera, and, as an essential character in Elizabeth Taylor’s Autobiography, in the role of Richard Burton.
The event will be at Ruth Eckerd Hall, from January 4th through the 8th, in the Murray Studio Theatre
For more information about the Show and/or to buy tickets, go to: CelebrityAutobiography.com
To visit MichaelMcGlone.com click here
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Connect with Michael on Facebook:
You may unsubscribe at any time. |
Choose an album below to purchase Music:
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Michael McGlone in Celebrity Autobiography in Clearwater, Florida January 4-8, 2011
On January 4th Michael McGlone will return to the stage in the latest series of Performances of the hysterical Celebrity Autobiography, created by Gene Pack…a Show in which the Autobiographies of such notables as Elizabeth Taylor, Burt Reynolds, Loni Anderson, Tommy Lee, Tiger Woods and a host of others are read and enjoyed by the readers and audience both.The actors featured in Celebrity Autobiography have been as impressive as the subjects, including Matthew Broderick, Tony Roberts, Brooke Shields, Rita Wilson, Dick Cavett, Rosie Perez, Fred Willard and many more…
There are two Shows daily over the course of five days, McGlone will appear in…reading from the famed Autobiographies of Burt Reynolds, Geraldo Rivera, and, as an essential character in Elizabeth Taylor’s Autobiography, in the role of Richard Burton.
The event will be at Ruth Eckerd Hall, from January 4th through the 8th, in the Murray Studio Theatre
For more information about the Show and/or to buy tickets, go to: CelebrityAutobiography.com
To visit MichaelMcGlone.com click here
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Connect with Michael on Facebook:
You may unsubscribe at any time. |
Choose an album below to purchase Music:
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12.20.10
Posted in Humor~Events at 10:02 pm by Dr. Trina Hess
Here’s a message from my friend Dan Hubbard, whose music is charging ahead in the charts. For those of you in the Illinois/Indiana area, check out one of his shows this season!
“The Holiday Jamboree with Backyard Tire Fire and Friends on Saturday was a pretty awesome night. We raised $5,000 for the Share The Music program for kids in need. The crowd was great, and I posted a more detailed blog about it on my website if you get a minute.
” ‘See You Again’ climbed 5 more spots to #190 on the AMA charts this week and is now being played on 116 stations nationwide. It’s been pretty exciting watching the progress.
“We also just confirmed our own show at the beautiful Castle Theater in Bloomington for May 21st, so mark your calenders!!! Show time, ticket sales, and opening band still TBA.
“I posted a song called “Postcard” from my new unreleased material cd on my music page if you want to check it out.
“Finally, I am playing Thursday night (23rd) at Diggers with Mute Karma and Chicago Farmer. I will open the show at 8pm so all you old folks can make it out. I will also be pulling out all 3 of my annual Christmas songs, so don’t miss it!
“Thank you so much again for all of your support, and for listening to me talk about myself. I am grateful and thankful. Merry Christmas and love to all.
Sincerely,
Dan Hubbard
http://www.danhubbard.net
http://www.myspace.com/hubbardsmusic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jz6mbY8Wr9s
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dan-Hubbard-and-The-Humadors
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12.10.10
Posted in Humor~Events at 4:19 am by Dr. Trina Hess
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Books n Beans is a terrific locally owned business that is celebrating their 1st anniversary! Join my friend, author and founder of Pittsburgh Professional Women, Beth Caldwell, on Thursday, December 16th for a for a book reading and celebration.
I Wish I’d Known THAT!
A Book Reading and Discussion with Local Author
Beth Caldwell
I Wish I’d Known That! is a clever, savvy book written for today’s small business owner.
Learn techniques, tips, successes and mistakes of small business owners from across the US and Canada
….from business owners who’ve been there. No need to repeat mistakes, if you are a business owner or manager, this book is a must! “I interviewed over 200 business owners from across the US and Canada while writing this book; there really is nothing new under the sun! I learned that all business owners, large and small, struggle with the same issues” –Beth Caldwell, Author and Small Business Owner.
 
Inspired Entrepreneurs is a collection of stories about regular women who felt
trapped in their careers. Each of them dared to step out in courage to follow
their passions, and have ventured to change the world. Read their stories,
share their inspirations, and dare to join them yourself by recognizing your gift,
your purpose, your passion, and your future triumph. If you are someone who is ready to leave your cubicle and realize your dreams–this is a MUST READ!
Join US!
Thursday, December 16th from 6-8pm
Books n Beans
156 Market Street, Leechburg, PA 15656
www.booksandbeansleechburg.com |
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