HUMMING ALONG

Two of excellent “hum” words are illustrated by these stories -- humility and humor. Humility and humor are interconnected. One sure way to see their relationship is I Can Laugh Now phenomenon.

Have you ever had something happen to you that seemed awful at time but now, as you look back at it, you say, “I can laugh now . . .” The time between supposed awful event and I Can Laugh Now is much shorter for a person with a good sense of humor than for those living in Drama Zone.

People with a sense of humor can watch themselves and laugh at their own trials and tribulations. They have humility. Because they can laugh, they have hope for themselves, others and our often crazy world.

The deadly serious people in Drama Zone, ones who almost never say, “I can laugh now . . .”, often have no hope and thus may not honor glorious strength of humanity -- human spirit. Humility, humor, humanity -- wonderful, hmm?

And Today . . .

Today make yourself an I CAN LAUGH NOW notebook. Write down all stories of your times of trial and tribulation about which this day you say, “I can laugh now . . .” Add to it as days go by. Laugh as you write. Remember how good laughter is for you and laugh some more.

Shorten time between trying events and “I can laugh now . . .” so your book of stories can grow faster. When you shorten time, your sense of humor will grow, too.

Tell your stories to others, lots of others, and you can bet they will laugh with you. Some of best humor comes from I Can Laugh Now stories. Your I CAN LAUGH NOW notebook will be a gift to yourself and to other people in your life. Can you hear giggles now?

And can you feel your angel wings sprouting as you take yourself lightly?

A few months later, I quit my job, packed up my car, kissed my grown kids and friends goodbye and moved to a different part of country to try my luck as a writer or speaker. It was a little unnerving to take plunge in such a dramatic way but I’d been wanting to do it for a long time and finally, it was sink or swim time!

Well, I was initially so naïve about business and had so much to learn about speaking profession that I certainly got dunked many times. I did everything hard way and it’s one way to learn quickly. Ultimately, I thrived doing what I love to do. Because I was happier, my health immediately improved along with my outlook on life.

Speaking to large groups of people has never come easily to me. It’s a myth that speakers are extroverts. I’m not. I’m pathologically shy, yet somehow fact that I believe I have something to share gives me impetus I need to plow right through shyness and not only get up on stage but love it!

The route I chose was kind of hair-raising and wouldn’t necessarily work for everyone but there are many ways to get into professional speaking which I share with you in my book, Speaking for Money. You choose right route for you!

Cathleen Fillmore is owner of Speakers Gold, a proactive speakers bureau.