Ten Funny Quotations to Brighten Your Day and Enlighten Your Life

Some people reject quotations as inadequate or insufficient because they don’t contain anything but a seed of truth and/or wisdom. That is true due to the fact that a quote is but one or two sentences and therefore can’t contain anything but a seed of wisdom. Isn’t a seed of wisdom and truth often enough?  I am reminded of the old adage, “From a tiny seed a might oak does grow.” But if that brief gem of wisdom prompts further thought or reflection isn’t that worth something especially in an age where a lot of people never take time to indulge in the pleasure of thinking or analysis?

I believe that quotations, when they strike a chord with the reader, can affirm or challenge their position or beliefs and result in further reflection. When they evoke the response, “Isn’t that the truth?” or, “I never thought of that before!” or,” That was funny.” they have great value.

There are two classifications of quotations, funny and serious. I love both but have a preference for the funny ones. They don’t have to be rolling in the aisle funny but they have to be at least amusing to you the reader.

Here are 10 of my favourites from my vast collection. Hope you enjoy their WIT (WISDOM, INSIGHT, and TRUTH)

1. You wouldn't worry what people thought about you if you only knew how seldom they did.

2. To expect life to treat you fairly because you're a good person is like expecting a bull not to charge you because you're a vegetarian.

3. Worry is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but won't get you anywhere.

4. Pain and suffering are a lot like gas....they too shall pass.

5. Always borrow money from a pessimist. They don't expect to be paid back.

6. Anyone who says that swimming is good for the figure has never taken a real good look at a whale.

7. A bore is always "ME" deep in conversation.

8. Some people think their lives are full, when really they're just cluttered.

9. If at first you don't succeed, try not to be amazed.

10. A leader without a sense of humour is like a grass cutter at a cemetery. You have a lot of people under you paying absolutely no attention.

George Bernard Shaw once said that if you find something funny search it for hidden truth. Here are few pearls of wisdom packaged in humour. Enjoy.

Live Better....Laugh More

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Mike Moore is an Canadian speaker and writer on humor and stress management and humor in the workplace.

 

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Why We Must Avoid Toxic Humour

We have to be careful that our humour is never toxic or abusive. Toxic humour gets a laugh at the expense of another's dignity and well-being. It destroys our confidence and erodes our self-esteem and self-worth, which, in all too many of us, are already far too low.

For some reason we seem to be drawn to toxic or abusive humour. Perhaps it's because we see so much of it on television and in movies. It's not funny being mean.

My senior high school students hated toxic humour but were efficient in using it. They could quickly crush the spirit of another student with sarcastic humour, but if they were on the receiving end, it was a different story. It wasn't as funny.

I was giving a motivational talk to a group of 300 men and women from TOPS (Take off Pounds Sensibly) when a young woman approached me with the following story of toxic, abusive humour.
She and a group of friends were at an Octoberfest (The German Harvest Festival) dance in Kitchener, Ontario. When someone informed the band leader that it was her birthday he made the announcement and led the people in singing "Happy Birthday". When the song was finished the band leader dedicated the next polka to her. A handsome band member left his place in the orchestra to be her dance partner. As he held this attractive woman, in his arms the band began to play the "She's too Fat for Me Polka", the one that goes, "I don't want her you can have her she's too fat for me... " The woman told me that everyone laughed including her. But inside, her heart was breaking. Never use humour to hurt another, and never assume that just because you don't mean to hurt another that you actually don't do so.

We never know how our humour is going to be received by the person on the receiving end of it. You might think that it's harmless fun and you are only kidding, but your words could be doing serious harm. The phrase, "I was just joking," does not excuse or justify toxic or abusive humour.

It is important to remember that we are all fragile, sensitive creatures who long to be appreciated and respected. I think an important rule of thumb, when it comes to avoiding toxic, humour is to ask yourself how you would feel if you were the brunt of the remark you plan on making to another. Answer honestly and if there is one speck of doubt don't make the remark. Because once the words leave your mouth the hurt is done and you can't get them back.

"Toxic humour is a dishonest way of making yourself look good by making another look bad." MM

This is an excerpt from Mike's book "Light Up With Laughter" (The Humour and Health Connection) http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?light
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The Healing Power of the Night Sky

Last night I beheld the full moon in all its magic and mystery. I have always been captivated by the beauty of the natural world. Even as a young man I used to go to the shores of Lake Superior and sit, gazing at the sun sizzling its way into the horizon. It somehow calmed and quieted my anxious spirit.

One of my favourite outdoor authors is Sigurd Olsen. In one of his books he wrote that we must discover listening points in nature where we can be still and listen to and be healed by the rhythms of the universe. This Lake Superior sunset became one of my most significant listening points. In fact I liked it so much that I now include it in my talks on stress management.

I have always had an intimate relationship with the star-studded, moonless sky but when you add moonlight to the mix the whole picture takes on a more serene, soothing, and mystical tone.

I love to lie on a beach when the moon is full and the sky is totally clear and watch the moonlight shimmer across the surface of the water and feel the gentle breeze against my face.

The scene becomes even more calming and comforting when it is accompanied by undulating waves gently caressing the shore. It just seems to strongly connect me to the eternal thrust of time. I become convinced that what I know and love in life will somehow continue through eternity.

As a high school teacher I used to take my senior classes on an overnight retreat once a year. As darkness fell we would move close to the river and light a campfire. There we would sit and sing and laugh and listen to the sounds of the night. Just being together in the outdoors made us aware of our connection to one another within the embrace of nature. It was a wonderful experience and it is my hope that it became, for some, one of their listening points filed in their memory to be accessed later in life to bring peace to their stressful lives.

As I close this reflection the words of Sophocles whisper across the centuries,
" Mortal I know I am... short lived, yet whenever I stand and watch the multitude of swirling stars I no longer tread this earth but rise to feast with God and enjoy the food of the immortals."

With these words echoing in mind I say goodnight to a world bathed in moonlight and send prayerful thoughts to all who walk gently on its surface in love, peace and joy.

This is an excerpt from Mike's popular book, "Embracing the Mystery" (Living the Life You Want) http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mystery

Mike is a Canadian speaker who speaks and writes on humour and attitude in human wellness and potential. To check into having him speak to your group visit http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?motplus

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Proof that Laughter is The Best Medicine

I am always on the lookout for articles that reinforce my strong belief that laughter is the best medicine. For many years people would say it so often that it became cliché. In the past few years things have changed. More evidence is emerging to validate the claim and of course there I am in the midst of the discussion gobbling up all the supportive information I can.

Ever since I was introduced to the writings of Norman Cousins in, "Anatomy of an Illness", I have been fascinated by the role of the human mind in healing and wellness, specifically the role of humour and laughter. When Norman Cousins was diagnosed with a terminal illness in midlife, he immediately set out to alter his fate.

Through attitudinal transformation he shifted his thinking from negative to positive, from fear to hope. By saturating his life with humour and laughter he was able, with the co-operation of modern medicine of course, to overcome his terminal illness.

When Cousins died a few years ago he was in his seventies and the illness had never returned.
Recently, researchers at the Loma Linda Medical School in California validated the findings of Norman Cousins regarding the role of humour and laughter in healing and wellness. Doctor Stanley Tann has discovered that laughing frequently helps healthy people stay happy and healthy and sick people recover more rapidly.

He also found that laughter triggered physiological changes that benefit the lungs, muscles, heart, nerves, hormones and the entire immune system. Humour, it was discovered, kicked the immune system into high gear and actually prevented stress from undermining our immunity. With the renewed emphasis on a healthy immune system in recent years this is good news indeed.

Humour was found to reduce stress levels by one half and significantly raise the levels of gamma interferon, an immune system hormone. This alone is an important medical find due to the fact that stress is a leading cause of illness throughout North America. I read recently that 85 percent of all doctor visits are related to stress induced illness.

The activity of killer cells which destroy viruses and tumours was increased by twenty percent in the presence of laughter and humour. "B" cells, which produce antibodies to combat diseases are empowered by laughter, and an immune system component called immunoglobulin increased by ten percent.

By the way, nervous and cynical laughter did not produce the same positive results.

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR: LAUGHTER IS, INDEED, THE BEST MEDICINE

This is an excerpt from Mike's poplar book, "Embracing the Mystery" (Living the Life You Want)
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Mike Moore is a Canadian speaker who speaks and writes on Humour and Attitude in human health wellness and potential.
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7 Effective Ways to Overcome Perfectionism

Our culture seems to have elevated the quest for perfection to the status of virtue. When someone is described as a perfectionist they are frequently admired and envied. A perfectionist, in my opinion, is someone living in a constant state of dissatisfaction and that isn't healthy. To perfectionists, no one, including their spouse, children, family, friends and themselves ever measures up to their impossible standards. Perfectionists spend their lives never being happy with what they have accomplished, always wanting things to be perfect. I could have or should have done better becomes the motto by which they live.

Can you imagine the anxiety involved in living with a perfectionist? I recall teaching a bright high school senior whose mother was a perfectionist. After receiving an A in my subject she looked rather emotionless. I asked her if she was pleased with the mark she achieved and she said, "Yes, but my Mother won't be. She'll want to know why it isn't an A+."

I don't know if full blown perfectionism can be changed without psychological intervention, but I do think that it can definitely be avoided by adopting more reasonable expectations of yourself and others. How?

* Make friends with your imperfections and those of others. Sure it is important to strive to do well in what you attempt, but if your best efforts don't result in what you wanted to achieve, don't be too hard on yourself. It is more important to strive to improve than to insist on perfection.

* Strive to find pleasure in what you do, not perfection.

* Believe in the old saying ANYTHING WORTH DOING IS WORTH DOING BADLY. If you enjoy playing the piano but play it poorly, keep playing for the sheer pleasure it gives you. It isn't important how well you play. It is more important that you get pleasure out of doing it.

* Never let your urge to do something well become a compulsion to do it perfectly. Just commit yourself to the joy of doing and enjoy the thrill of improving at it.

* Live by the law of reasonable expectations rather than by the law of perfection. Not only is perfection stressful, it's also boring. Imperfection evokes humour and laughter while perfection evokes stress, frustration and anger. One promotes health and well-being; the other, anxiety and dis-ease.

* Learn to laugh at yourself and your imperfections. If you don't, you leave the job to someone else.

* Human beings, by nature, are imperfect so relax and enjoy the fact.

I want people to feel motivated but I don't want them to become obsessed with perfection. If we feel compelled to perfection and then never achieve it (because no one ever does) then we risk not even trying to achieve anything.

Mike Moore is a Canadian speaker/writer on the role of humour and positive attitude on human wellness and potential. To explore the idea of having Mike speak to your group visit http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?motplus

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Ten Effective Ways to Create a Bully-free Classroom

We all know that bullying exists and is having a disastrous impact on the health and well-being of our students throughout our country and beyond. What we need to know is what we can do about it so that every child is cherished and respected and has an opportunity to achieve their unique potential in a kind and affirming community.


What I want to do with this article is provide busy teachers with a easily accessible guide that provides them with effective tips, tools and techniques to develop a bully free classroom.
While It might be unrealistic to think that one teacher can stop bullying in our entire school we can do a great deal to stop bullying in our classroom and in so doing sow seeds of peaceful co-existence that will have a positive impact on both staff and students. From every seed a mighty oak does grow.
It is important to realize that people bully others because it works for them and we let them get away with it. If we can make it so it doesn't work for them and we won't let them get away with it we have a good chance changing this destructive behaviour.

Why do bullies bully? Well, they bully others for 4 reasons.

1. Attention

2. Power
3. Revenge
4. Inadequacy.

When attempting to put a stop to antisocial behaviour we must always keep in mind what motivates it. Responding to the behaviour without considering and responding to what motivates it is futile.
Here are just ten strategies that work. Give them a try and watch great things happens.

1. At the beginning of the year have class discussions on the kind of classroom we want to have. Have the students be as specific as possible. This will form the basis of a class vision and values statement which will be displayed on the wall for future reference. Use the vision statement as the standard by which the class can challenge behaviour that doesn't support class values. When people of all ages get together to set standards they always set the bar high so build on this fact.

2. CHARM your classroom. This is an acronym that stands for Communication, Humour, Attitude, Recognition and Mutual Respect. These elements alone will do wonders to create a bully free classroom.

3. Celebrate and affirm the giftedness of each student. Every child has a unique gift that can and should be celebrated and in so doing have a positive impact on the social fabric of your class. Find it and affirm it in the presence of the class and watch great things happen. It is difficult to bite the hands that affirm you.

4. Try the 2 for 10 strategy to connect and develop rapport with difficult students. It is a simple strategy that works wonders. All you have to do is spend 2 minutes per day for 10 days in a row with a difficult student in light conversation. Ask questions about their likes, dislikes, interests, hobbies etc. Just get them talking and listen carefully to what they have to say. There is nothing more flattering or bonding as the undivided attention of another human being. This is nothing more than a relationship building exercise to show a young person you care. Remember that student will never care what you think until they think that you care.

5. Be the change you want to see in your class. Both students and teacher must challenge one another in creating a social climate free of sarcasm, ridicule and putdowns.

6. Turn your class into and ICU (Intensive Caring Unit). Remember that love is the most powerful healing force in the universe. Put its power to work creating a thoughtful, caring and compassionate community.

7. If there is a child in your class who has a reputation as a bully try to get them on your side. Give them a productive task to do and affirm their efforts and results both privately and publicly.

8. To develop empathy among your students get the students writing on How Would You Feel If... (Use stories and photos from the newspaper to stimulate their empathic response) Class bulletin boards on the topic are also effective.

9. Have a Compassion Board illustrating people responding to human need locally, nationally and internationally. If exposure to violence in the media can foster insensitivity then exposure to peace, compassion and non-violence can foster sensitivity.

10. Promote the acceptance of others not tolerance. We as humans want to be accepted, respected and appreciated, not tolerated.

These ten ways to bully proof your classroom are from a, soon to be published, special report by the same name.

Mike is a former teacher who now speaks to teachers and parents throughout Canada and the USA on teacher/parent relations, teacher stress and burnout and on taming toxic bullies among us.

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5 Workplace Dis-eases and What You Can Do About Them

5 Workplace Dis-eases and What You Can Do About Them         by Mike Moore

I think it was Henry Ford who said,” Why is it that when all I need is a good pair of hands, they have to come attached to a human being?” He too realized that workplace problems are inevitably people problems and when you begin to solve people problems you begin to solve problems in the workplace.

In a recent Ipsos-Reid poll it was revealed that 60 percent of all employees surveyed were dissatisfied with their job and that 43 percent of these were actively or passively looking for other employment.  The cause of this was discovered to be 5 workplace diseases list below.

* Stress

Employee stress is definitely on the rise and if not addressed can cause serious problems for both employers and employees.  I read recently that half of all Long Term Disability claims are stress related and that a good number of worker absentees throughout the year are stress induced.

* High Employee Turnover

When people have to function in an unhealthy stress filled work environment where appreciation and praise are absent they want out and begin to look elsewhere for meaningful and more satisfying employment.

* Low Morale

I believe that low morale is the inevitable result of a lack of personalism in the workplace. When your staff perceives that they and their well-being are priorities for management morale begins to improve.  It is in the best interest of management to care for the health, well-being and happiness of its employees.

* Low Productivity

People who don’t feel valued don’t produce as well as those who do.  This is a basic axiom in my opinion. It rings true in every area of human interaction.  I once had a woman approach me with glowing praise for her supervisor. When I asked why she felt this way she handed me a brief note written by the supervisor. It contained two lines and they said. Dear Joy, Just a note to let you know how much I appreciate your presence and hard work in our department. We are better for having you among us.”  That’s all it said, but the impact on this woman was profound. She would have walked over a field of razor blades in her bare feet for this person. Two little lines.  People produce when they feel cherished.

* Lack of Creative Problem Solving

When people work in a climate of encouragement, empowerment, appreciation and fun they are more willing to contribute their creativity to the solution of company problems.  Every organization needs creative employees and creativity thrives in a climate where people are listened to, valued and encouraged to laugh. Always remember that there is a huge reservoir of creative potential within the individual and collective wisdom of the group.  All one has to do is tap it.

 * Lack of Effective Communication                               

Communication is fundamentally the sharing of self with others. In an effective workplace employees need to be encouraged to honestly and comfortably say what is on their minds.  I once asked a manager, “Who tells you what you need to know and don’t want to hear?” He thought for a moment and said, “Nobody”.  This is a tragic situation but a very common one. Most workers keep their opinions to themselves for fear of being labelled a boat rocker.  I have news for you.  A company who wants to maximize the potential of its staff and reap the benefits of their collective wisdom must encourage people to be boat rockers. Boat rockers are a valuable asset to any company or organization.  Isn’t it sad that they are considered liabilities?  It is in the best interest of any company to encourage people to give their opinions whether they are dissenting or not.  No one person has a monopoly on wisdom, insight or correct thinking. We are richer when we access the attributes of the group.

 When you consider these 5 workplace dis-eases and their negative impact on your business or organization you will be hard pressed to find a more effective, cost efficient solution than a program including humour, laughter, appreciation and praise.  They fit together like hand and glove and are very simple to implement. All you need is a commitment from upper management and a few training sessions to teach the hows and whys of such a program. Once you have your people on board you will be able to see your workplace culture improve significantly.

 

Mike Moore speaks and writes on the power of humour, attitude and appreciation to help people in all walks of life maximize their unlimited potential and improve their relationships.

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7 Sure-fire Tips On Surviving Office Parties By Mike Moore

                                      

Each year businesses and organizations throughout North America have office parties or staff barbeques to celebrate a special season or to thank employees for jobs well done. While they can be fun they can also be dangerous to your personal and professional image. Many a reputation has been tarnished or severely damaged by not knowing office party survival skills.

I frequently speak to businesses throughout Canada and the USA on Humour in the Workplace, Stress Management, and Dealing with Difficult People and my experience has taught me that the office party can be risky, stressful and a threat to your job security if you don’t have the necessary coping skills. 

But never fear for I am about to offer you 7 sure-fire tips on how to survive while still having a great time.

1. Don’t get drawn into destructive conversations about the boss.  You can listen and say, “That’s interesting. I didn’t realize you felt that way.”  Whatever you do don’t agree with a toxic comment or get involved in a toxic dialogue.

2.  Don’t let your hair down at an office party.  You aren’t among close friends who love and admire you in spite of your shortcomings.  There are some present who might consider you a threat and are just looking to identify and exploit a chink in your armour.

3.  If you take a drink make sure you make it last a long time by taking small sips.  Alcohol loosens lips and at an office party your lips should not be loosened. You don’t need your supervisor calling you into their office the next day saying that they heard from the grapevine that you had some negative and unkind words to say about them or others at the party.

4.  Be careful what you contribute to party conversations.  People under the influence of alcohol can easily distort what you say when they filter it through an alcohol induced haze.   Once you say something you can’t take it back.

5.  Throughout the party roam around taking in everything.  Be friendly, smile, listen and monitor your mouth.

6.  Don’t gossip about other staff members. While you might be curious to know more don’t appear to be too eager. Just listen. And then keep your mouth shut. You don’t want to get a reputation for being someone who takes delight in spreading gossip about others. Remember that speaking ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves.  If you feel a keen desire to speak about someone say something affirming and positive.

7.  Don’t flirt. It’s just too risky especially if your partner is at the party with you or jealousy from someone else raises its ugly head.

Do these simple things and have a great time.

Mike Moore speaks and writes on the subject of humour and stress management. You can check him out at http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mmspeaks

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My Dad's Secret to Being Charming

I remember asking my Dad, when I was 16, how I could become charming. I must admit that my motives were hormonally inspired at the time, but what he said to me has affected my life and relationships ever since. He looked at me and said, "Son, you become charming by making another person feel better about themselves when they are with you." What wisdom!

With my Dad's wisdom ringing in my ears I offer you a few suggestions on how to do just that- make someone feel better about themselves when in your company.

* Be alert for any chance to praise another. William James once said that we all have an insatiable appetite to be appreciated.

* Be fun to be with. Fun has a bonding power over human being. We want to be with people who make us laugh

* Be genuinely concerned about what's going on in the life of the other. When we genuinely love and care about others they find us charming and appealing and are more willing to return the feeling.

* Suspend your agenda in the interest of the others.

* Encourage and affirm your friend at every opportunity. We are the products of those who affirm and encourage us and those who never do.

* Listen twice as much as you talk. That's why we have been given two ears and one mouth.

* Give genuine compliments frequently. It was is Mark Twain who said that he can live for a month on just one compliment.

* Accept the person as they are and not as you want them to be. Our task on earth is to become our best selves not a mirror image of anyone else.

* Ask questions and listen to their answers. There is a difference between prying and being interested. I was once told that my wife, Carol, was a remarkable conversationalist. When I asked Carol for her secret she said that she just asks questions and listens carefully to their answers.

* Be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is attractive. It makes us feel good about the one filled with enthusiasm and the ones basking in its glow.

* Be a friend without conditions. We have all heard and used the term," unconditional love" but have we committed ourselves to the reality? It is the most powerfully magnetic term in the universe. And will attract people to you like moths to a flame.

There is nothing more flattering or rare than the undivided attention of another. When you give your undivided attention to another they willingly give you their friendship and support in return. Remember, it is more important to be interested than interesting.

Mike Moore is a Canadian motivational speaker committed to the application of Laughter and Positive Attitude on self improvement and human relationships. Want to know more about Mike and his work visit http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?mmspeaks

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Two Life Lesson Stories for the Telling

It's Just Impossible to Please Everyone

Long ago on a small farm outside a remote country village there lived a father and son who grew vegetables to earn their living.

Each Saturday morning they would take their produce, by donkey, to the local market about 2 miles away.

One Saturday morning they both rode the donkey to the market with the produce on their backs. The people on route looked at the father and son on the donkey and said, "Look at the two of them riding that poor donkey to market. How lazy they are."

The next Saturday the father rode the donkey and the son walked. Once again the people on route said, "Look at that lazy father riding while his poor son walks to the market."

On the next trip the son rode the donkey and the father walked and the people said, "Look at that lazy boy riding the donkey to market while his poor father walks."

The father and son decided to do something different the following Saturday. They carried the donkey tied by its feet to a pole each end placed on their shoulders. The produce was carried on their backs.

On their way to market they overheard the people say, "Look how they treat that poor donkey and they had the local constable charge the father and son with cruelty to animals.


A Random Act of Kindness

A second year university student had reluctantly taken a part time job selling door to door to make ends meet. He didn't like the job but the pay was good and he certainly needed the money.
One afternoon while selling in a nice middle class neighborhood he decided to forget his pride and ask the person in the next house if they could spare a bite to eat.
When the door opened he quickly decided against it and just asked for a glass of water.
The woman of the house smiled and disappeared into the kitchen returning within seconds with a plate of freshly made chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk.
When the young man asked what he owed her for the wonderful snack she said, "We don't charge for kindness in this house."


Years later this same woman became very ill and had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. When the specialist entered the Emergency room to examine her he recognized her immediately. She was the milk and cookies lady from his days as a salesman.

The treatment he prescribed was effective and within a couple of days she was ready to return home. Her only worry now was how she was going to pay the hospital bill.

Before leaving she went to the Billing office to find out the damage and discuss payment options. When she got there she was handed a note and told that the bill had been paid in full with a glass of milk and a plate of cookies. When she opened the note it read, "I don't charge for kindness." It was signed A Hungry College Student from your past.

Mike is a popular speaker who employs both humour and storytelling to get his message across. These two stories are from his Life Lesson collection" Tell Me a Story" http://www.mikemoorespeaks.com

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The Power of Positive Thought

The Awesome Power of Positive Thought

We all know that positive thoughts and visualization are really effective when it comes to re-educating our subconscious mind and changing our behavior. 

My interest in the life changing power of positive thought and visualization started in my mid-twenties (quite a few years ago) when I picked up a copy of Norman Vincent Peale’s best seller “ The Power of Positive Thinking”. 

 I didn’t just read this book with interest and enthusiasm, I devoured it and followed its suggestions to the letter.

I recall posting quotations and affirmations on my bathroom mirror so I could read and repeat them while I shaved each morning.  I memorized them and recited them while I drove to work. I pictured myself being what I envisioned.  The process soon became an enjoyable habit.

Slowly I, and my wife, began to notice changes appear in my attitudes and behavior. I emphasize the word slowly here because things just didn’t change overnight. But change they did.

Years of worry, fear, anxiety, negativity and impatience just don’t disappear with the reading of one book. But the journey to peace, calmness and joy had definitely begun and results were apparent quite quickly.

In the intervening years I have continued to learn a great deal more about the power of positive thought to transform individual lives and even the world in which we live.  

Great progress has been made  in the area of mind /body research by people like Wayne Dyer, Herbert Benson, Deepak Chopra,  Lynn McTaggart, Dr. Bernie Seigel, Carl Simonton MD just to name a few. 

Their findings reveal a dimension to living positively that includes healing the body with the mind that goes beyond mere positive thinking.

On Positive Thoughts

I am the product of the thoughts I think therefore I choose to think positive thoughts. 

A Positive Attitude attracts people to you, is a major factor in good health and is vital to the achievement of peace of mind.  I commit to a positive attitude 

Pain in life is inevitable- misery is optional.

A sour face is the result of sour thoughts.                                                                  

Thoughts rule the world. Let positive, happy thoughts rule yours. 

We are what we think.

      All that we are arises 

      With our thoughts.

      With our thoughts 

      We make our world.

                                           Buddha 

Wisdom keeps you from making mistakes and comes from having made plenty of them. 

Optimism is a lot like electricity... nothing much happens without it. 

In our eagerness to give our children what we didn’t have as children we run the risk of not giving them the wonderful things we did have. MM

 

This article is an excerpt from Mike’s special report “121 Thoughts of Hope, Joy and Inspiration for Daily Living” (Quotations, Affirmations and Cartoons)   If thoughts rule the world make sure positive thoughts rule yours.

Commit to a new way of thinking and a new way of living.

Practical thoughts to transform your life     http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?121inspiresp   

The 7 Best Benefits of Worklace Humour

1. PROMOTES BONDING
Humor has been called " Social Glue" because of its power to bond people to one another. People do gravitate to those who laugh easily and have a great sense of humor. Just watch the next time someone in your organization tells a funny story about something that happened to them. Not only are people eager to listen to a funny story but the shared laughter seems to bring the group closer together. When a supervisor tells a funny self-deprecating story to his/ her department the resulting laughter seems to promote a, " hey, we're all in this together" attitude.
When you consider what organizations spend to send their employees on team building seminars cultivating a climate of humor makes a lot of financial sense. It is the ultimate team builder.

2. BANISHES BOREDOM
Humor and laughter tend to banish boredom and boredom has been identified as a destructive reality within a workplace. Laughter, by its very definition, implies fun and fun is never boring. I once asked a member of my audience if he liked his job. He replied, " No I hate it, but I do enjoy coming to work. When I asked him why he said, " The people I work with are a lot of fun to be with and we have a lot of laughs." The most tedious of jobs can be enjoyable if humor, and fun are present.

3. HEALTH AND HAPPINESS
Health, happiness and humor go hand in hand. When you have a workplace where people laugh easily and often chances are that you are going to have a health and happy workplace. a place where employees like to be. This kind of positive environment is conducive to high morale and high productivity. The fact that humor cuts stress in half and enhances our immune system adds to its value.

4. FOSTERS FLEXIBILITY
People with a good sense of humor and a ready laugh tend to be more flexible. They usually take their job seriously but not themselves and therefore are more open and receptive to the ideas of others. People who take themselves too seriously are often difficult to work with and inflexible. The term uptight comes to mind. When a company's supervisors or managers have a great sense of humor and take delight in the humor of other staff members they give people the freedom to try and the freedom to fail. When this is present comfort levels, and creative achievement are high. People can soar to great heights of creativity when they know that they are free to fail. Wisdom helps us avoid mistakes and comes from making a ton of them.

5. RELAXATION
Laughter cuts stress levels in half thus lessening employee anxiety. If stress is a major cause of absenteeism among employees it is vital to reduce stress and in the process decrease a high rate of absentees. People don't want to stay away from a place that is fun and people who are fun to be with. When absentees are reduced you save money. Laughter also impacts positively on the bottom line when you consider that happy people tend to be more productive.

6. REDUCING CONFLICT
Earlier in this article I mentioned that all workplace problems are people problems and if you solve people problems you solve workplace problems. Well humor goes a long way in the solution of the inevitable conflicts that arises in human relationships. People that laugh together like one another. You don't laugh with people you don't like. When conflict does arise among people who like one another it is more easily handled. You might get angry at someone you like but odds are you won't stay angry long and in no time you will be back enjoying one another. One thing you can count on when employing a humor program and that is that you will have increase co-operation and mutual support among your staff.

7. INCREASED ENERGY
Humor increases the oxygen levels in our blood resulting in increased energy. What organization couldn't use a dose of increased employee energy at specific times throughout the day. To illustrate my point consider for a moment how tired you feel after a week of hard work on the job. You come home on a Friday night worn out. All you want is a quiet, restful weekend doing as little as possible.

Just as you walk through the door your significant other tells you that you have been invited to a party that evening. You immediately make it clear that you DON"T want to go. After being convinced that a party is just what you need you give in. At 1:00 a.m you return from the party. It was a lot of fun with a great deal of laughter and good company. You get into bed and you can't get to sleep. You are filled with energy and sleep is impossible. What happened to the fatigue that was plaguing you hours earlier?

CONCLUSION
When you consider workplace dis-ease and its negative impact on your business or organization you will be hard pressed to find a more effective, cost efficient solution than a program including humor, laughter, appreciation and praise. They fit together like hand and glove and are very simple to implement. All you need is a commitment from upper management and a few training sessions to teach the hows and whys of such a program. Once you have your people on board you will be able to see your workplace culture improve significantly.

Mike Moore is an international authority on humor in the workplace and humor and health. For 18 of Mike's original workplace cartoons FREE visit his website at
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?begin
To enquirer about having Mike speak to your group visit http://www.mikemoorespeaks.com

Tips on Giving Speeches and Toasts at Weddings People will Enjoy and Remember

           Tips on Giving Speeches and Toasts at Weddings People will Enjoy and Remember

You are probably asking yourself what motivated a professional speaker to write a report on speaking tips and toasts at wedding receptions.  I guess it is the result of attending receptions that I felt could use a bit of help in this department.

Wedding receptions are a wonderful part of our lives. They allow us to come together to meet friends and celebrate new beginnings with their families.  When I was younger it was the weddings of close friends that we attended.  Now we are going to the weddings of our friends’ children. The great circle of life continues. For the most part they are enjoyable experiences, but the receptions are frequently experiences of frustration and a little tension.

I am sure that you, like me, have sat through receptions that made you say, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!  The speeches went on forever and were often painful to listen to. 

With this in mind I offer you my suggestions to help improve the quality of the talks and the toasts at you wedding. 

                                                                         Speech Preparation Outline                 

 1. Think about the objective of your speech (What do you want to accomplish?)  Do you want to thank them, praise them, welcome the bride or groom into the family?  You must establish this before you continue.

2.  List the 3 or 4 key points you want to get across.  Don’t list too many. You don’t have all night.

3.  List one or two well-chosen stories to illustrate your key points. Practice the stories so you can tell them well and effectively without relying too heavily on your notes.

                                                          How to Deliver a Dynamite Speech

* Prepare your speech thoroughly and practice before you deliver it.                              

* Always look at the audience when speaking. Don’t look down at your notes.

* Don’t read your talk. Give it.  You can use cards with key points and story clues to assist you.

* Speak clearly. Don’t mumble.

* Act as if you were born to deliver this speech. Remember the “Act as If” principle.  If you act the way you want to be you will become the way you act.  So if you act confidently when speaking you will become confident.

* Smile. Look as if you are really enjoying yourself and that delivering this speech is not only an honor but a pleasure as well.

* Use proper grammar.  Have someone go over your speech with you beforehand.  There is nothing worse than hearing someone giving a speech and using something like “Billy and me didn’t do nothing...”

* Be yourself, of course, but be your best self.

* Avoid sarcastic humor in your speech. You are not there to hurt or insult others.

* Affirm and compliment the bride and groom throughout your talk.

* Avoid getting laughs by telling those present how much you and the groom can drink or how often you have seen one another throw up after a night of partying.

 I promise that if you follow these few simple tips your speech/toast will touch the hearts of those present and will remembered with fondness for a long time.

 

This is a brief excerpt from my Special Report “Wedding Talks and Toasts.” In it you will find terrific tips pertaining to the role of Master/ Mistress of Ceremonies, How to select an MC, and how to deliver a dynamite speech.  I also offer suggestions on how to put humor into your speech that makes people laugh but doesn’t offend and how to propose terrific toasts. Specific examples are also provided for your use.

http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?wedding

The Art of Confident Conversation By Mike Moore

When I first started speaking for a living I had great difficulty with one-on-one conversation with members of my audience. I could speak before 2500 people and enjoy every minute of it, but when I was expected to mix and mingle my tongue became all thumbs. I decided to get to work
improving my conversation skills and researched the topic thoroughly. My efforts paid off for now I can speak with anyone, anywhere for any length of time. Let me share with you what I learned.

* There are three fundamental principles upon which good conversation is based. 1. It is better to be interested than interesting 2. There is nothing as flattering as the undivided attention of another human being. 3. People long to talk about their favourite topic which is "themselves." Keep these in mind and you can't fail in becoming a great conversationalist.

* Assume the responsibility for starting and maintaining the conversation.
* I usually begin with a friendly " Hi, I'm Mike Moore and I'm from Canada" Usually the response is " Hello, Mike I am ____________ and I'm from___________. (Away you go.)
* Use the person's name throughout the conversation. It shows that you're interested in and focussed on the other.
* Let the other be the centre of attention.
* Show a genuine interest in the one you're speaking with. Maintain eye contact.
* Ask questions that require more than a one word answer.
* When you ask a question listen attentively to the answer and be quick to ask another question arising from the response to the first. You learn what to say by listening carefully to what was said.
* Put the other at ease by smiling and nodding frequently throughout the conversation.
* Talk in terms of the other person's interests.

* Don't feel the need to disagree until you get to know the person better.

GREAT CONVERSATION PHRASES
* " That's interesting. Tell me more."
* " Give me an example of what you mean."
* " How would you like to see it turn out?"
* "How did you feel when that happened to you?"

CONVERSATION STARTERS
* Give a compliment.
* Ask for advice.
* Seek help with something.
* Give praise.
* Seek an opinion.
I keep six honest servants
They taught me all I know.
Their names are what and why and when
And how and where and who.
R. Kipling

This is an excerpt from Mike Moore’s booklet How to Overcome Shyness and Connect with People available from http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?shyness
Mike Moore is an international speaker and writer on human potential, motivation and humour. http://www.motivationalplus.com


 

Self Improvement: How to Attract Terrific People to Your Life

Attracting Terrific People to Your Life  By Mike Moore
I remember asking my Dad, when I was 16, how I could become charming. I must admit that my motives were hormonally inspired at the time, but what he said to me has effected my life and relationships ever since. He looked at me and said, " Son, you become charming by making another person feel better about themselves when they are in your company." What wisdom!
With my Dad's wisdom ringing in my ears I offer you a few suggestions on how to do just that- make someone feel better about themselves when in your company.
* Be alert for any chance to praise another.
* Be fun to be with.
* Be genuinely concerned about what's going on in the life of the other.
* Suspend your agenda in the interest of the other's.
* Encourage and affirm your friend at every opportunity.
* Listen twice as much as you talk.
* Give genuine compliments, frequently.
* Accept the person as they are and not as you want them to be.
* Ask questions and listen to their answers. There is a difference between prying and being interested.
* Be enthusiastic. There is a bonding power  to enthusiasm.
* Be a friend without conditions.
There is nothing more flattering or rare than the undivided attention of another.
It is more important to be interested than interesting.

This is a brief excerpt from Mike's Special Report "How to Unleash Your Potential" ( A Guide to Confident Living) Get Your Copy  Here

Mike Moore is a Canadian pro speaker who speaks on Humour, Attitude and Human Potential.
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