photo by wouter walmink

Looking for a surefire way to acquire a “Full-Blown” case of Adultitis?

Two words: air travel

The experience of flying is guaranteed to morph even the most “glass half full” type of person into a cynical scrooge – or your money back. (Ha!) Who knew a hefty case of Adultitis was free with the price of a plane ticket? And being the contagious disease that it is, it’s quite tricky to escape the spread when you’re quarantined in small planes and stuffy airports.

I’ve been noticing more and more complaints on Facebook from my road warrior speaker friends. The stressors are obvious: uncommunicated delays, extra fees, overcrowded planes, kicking toddlers (aka Lucy), smelly food, overly talkative seatmates, edgy flight attendants, oversized bags in overhead bins, and we haven’t even started to talk about security screening. I call it the Super Security Shuffle, as you wiggle your shoes and belt off and shimmy all of your electronics out of your bags. Fun stuff!

“The flying experience is terrible,” says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com. “You’re getting less legroom. People fight over things like capacity in overhead bins. Airlines are charging bag fees. … Airlines are doing things that are making it more difficult and uncomfortable for the passenger, and the customer service isn’t getting that much better. You compound those factors, and you have a lot of frustration in the air.” Frustration can lead to bad manners. (Source: USA Today)

And that it does. It’s almost as if manners and common courtesy are checked at the curb with your luggage.

“People ask us all the time how do you combat the rudeness,” Lizzie Post says. “I go out there, and I’m one less rude person. You consider things. I’m not going to bring my really smelly fish leftovers on the plane. I’m going to bring a turkey sandwich. Bring along headphones to block out noise, and it’s fine to politely inform a seatmate that you’re not in the mood to chat.” (Source: USA Today)

I agree with Lizzie. In fact, I think you can even take this a step further. Instead of the “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” mentality – why not try to fight Adultitis head-on with some proactive fun? Here’s a list of 5 ways to combat Adultitis as you fly. You’ll notice this list is not your average ho-hum list of ways to stay positive and let things go — it’s an aggressive approach to fighting the frustrations that lead to Adultitis in the skies. Hope this helps your next trip go more smoothly…with a LOT more fun.

1. Chocolatey Happiness
Pack a bag of bite-sized Snickers in your carry-on and give them out as needed. “But when?” you might be asking. You’ll know. For example, you might share a few as a thank you to the airline employee helping you reschedule a delayed flight or to the guy who was willing to change seats with you so that you could sit next to your hubby. My favorite idea, though, is to share some with the kid behind you with the kicking problem. And if nothing else, you can eat them for dinner when you’re stuck at your gate with no plane. Chocolate is a good quick cure for pending Adultitis. Guaranteed.

2. Instant Smile Factory
Wear something that will automatically generate smiles from complete strangers. What you pick is based on YOU and what fits your personality. Here are some ideas: A goofy hat with fake hair attached (here and here), fun t-shirts (here, here or here), a clown nose (have extra to pass out to enthused fans), a cupcake beanie, a mullet, funny glasses, or Billy Bob teeth. The grumpy seasoned traveler behind you in line might actually crack a smile when he sees someone not taking themselves too seriously, which might actually challenge him to do the same. Ya never know… pigs may fly.

3. Planning for Prevention
Everyone is freaked out about getting through security. As long as you leave your shotgun at home, security is not as scary as it’s made out to be. Jason and I have found a number of very simple things you can do ahead of time to help things go smoother. It’s amazing what shortcuts you learn when you log 34 flights with a baby. Here are a few of my favorites:

• wear pants without a belt
• get some slip-on shoes
• leave your watch in your carry-on
• pack all of your liquids in the bag you are checking
• pack an empty water bottle in your carry-on to fill at a water fountain once you’re past security
• make sure you have a few healthy snacks in your carry-on for delays
• pack earplugs and/or an iPod.

Those poor TSA folks are at the highest risk for Adultitis (being surrounded by anxious and frustrated people all day), so be sure to share a smile and a hello. They are people too, even if they may look like robots.

4. BYOF (Bring Your Own Fun)
Delays and cancellations: inevitably the quickest way to Full Blown Adultitis. It’s almost unavoidable, unless you plan ahead for an alternative fix amidst the frustration. Bring your own fun to pass the time in case your trip is extended longer than you had thought. You’ll be surprised how many people around you instantly make eye-contact and initiate interaction when they see you’re actually willing to let yourself have fun, especially in a time when you should not be (according to the Adultitis-sufferers). Pack things like 3D drawing pads, a light-up disco bouncing ball, colored bubbles (be sure to transfer to a 3 oz. container), a friendship bracelet kit, a yodelling pickle, gnome bowling, or even desktop cornhole. Who says you HAVE to sit and mope while you wait and wait and wait?

5. Share and Share Alike
You know THAT moment, when the flight has been delayed a third time and the reality is setting in that people will definitely NOT be making their connecting flights. Ouch. Shortly after the news sets in, you can cut the Adultitis with a knife. It would be nice to lighten the mood. Be the bearer of gifts. Provide your neighboring passengers with something fun to lighten things up. Your carry-on can fit a few tchotchkes that will get your fellow flight-mates smiling again. How about packing a bunch of tiny umbrellas for their drinks, temporary tattoos, tiny rubber duckies, leis, pirate eye patches, or sticky hands. People LOVE to receive something free – no matter how small or meaningless it might be. And in the end, seeing all of their surprised smiles will really cheer YOU up too.

What other ideas do YOU have for fighting Adultitis while flying?

VOUTSINAS FAMILY PHOTO

Have you heard the story about the married couple photographed together at Disney World 15 years before they met? (I found out about it from a link Chris Brogan shared via Twitter.) The couple didn’t know each other, and they didn’t even live in the same country at the time the photograph was taken:

That fateful realization came just one week before their wedding eight years ago. Alex and Donna had been going through old family snapshots. There, in the blurry background of a picture of 5-year-old Donna was 3-year-old Alex being pushed down Main Street at the same moment in 1980 by his father. The senior Voutsinas’s distinctive jet-black hair with its white tuft caught his eye.

“My mother pulled out albums from the same trip. My dad is wearing exactly the same outfit.”

Other pictures from that trip showed Alex on his dad’s shoulders. The boy in the background of Donna’s picture and the boy in those pictures were the same.

Weird, huh?

I can’t even begin to imagine the odds of such a thing happening. A bajillion-to-one would be my highly uneducated guess. But although many people probably chalk it up to a remarkable coincidence, I have another theory.

I believe it’s an example of God having fun.

He often gets a bad rap. Popular thinking often paints him as curmudgeoney old guy with a long white beard sitting up on a cloud somewhere, spending his days smoting people from a distance. He sits on a thrown like a Roman emperor, judging the fate of people with a simple but emphatic thumbs up or thumbs down. If he lived in America, there’s a pretty good chance that he’d run the IRS. He’s often painted as a pretty serious dude with a serious case of Adultitis.

It’s too bad, really, because I believe there’s another side that people don’t often think about.

His goofy side.

If God really was as serious as some people imagine him to be, we’d never have the duck-billed platypus, giraffes, or Elton John.

I subscribe to the idea that coincidences are God’s way of remaining anonymous. SQuire Rushnell has written a series of bestselling books along the same lines. He calls such coincidences godwinks. Rushnell says:

What do godwinks mean? Think about when you were a kid and someone you loved gave you a little wink across the dining room table…Mom or Dad or Grandma. You didn’t say “What do you mean by that?” You knew. It meant: “Hey kid, I’m thinking about you right now.” That’s what a godwink is too: a message of reassurance from above, directly to you, out of six billion people on the planet, saying “Hey kid…I’m thinking of you! Keep the faith! You’re never alone.”

I’ve experienced some notable godwinks in my own life, and in my experience, if you’re open to them, you’ll likely notice even more.

The couple in the picture above being photographed together is really an inconsequential event. In the grand scheme of things, it’s not a big deal. Nothing about the lives of the couple in question would’ve been different had the photo been snapped a few seconds earlier or later. But I can only imagine God smiling to himself when the photo was taken, because he knew. I can only imagine his anticipation when the couple was sorting through the photos on that fateful day of discovery. And I can only imagine the chills that ran down the spines of Alex and Donna once the connection was made.

Call it random if you want, but I like to think of it as an example of God having fun.

Now while there is much debate over God’s gender, I have come to believe that God is God and not really a man or a woman, but posesses a combination of what we think of as motherly and fatherly traits. In thinking of him as a father, he may be a bit stern, serious, and demanding at times. But if I could send a Twitter message to God for Father’s Day, I’d say this:

“We’re not always the best kids. Thx for sticking with us and sharing your creative & fun side in the form of coincidences. And platypuses.”

[This article was originally published over at Dad-O-Matic.com, the awesome site for dads, by dads.]

art by jason

I remember playing Connect Four when I was a kid. It’s like Tic-Tac-Toe on steroids (of the Barry Bonds head-enlarging variety.)

It takes a while for a kid to get the hang of it. Early attempts are marked by a series of regular beatings (especially if you’re playing with an aunt three years your senior who never lets you win). But it really gets exciting when you start to figure it out and things get competitive. It’s a simple game, but there’s a lot of strategy and critical thinking involved.

The funny thing is, I never thought about that when I was playing it as a kid. Strategy and critical thinking sounds like serious stuff. Maybe I was fooled by the primary colors, or the clickety-clink sound the chips made as they fell to the table after the game was over, or the fact that it was manufactured by Milton Bradley and sold in toy stores, but it was just…fun. Also, victory was sweet but defeats weren’t too crushing because you knew that in the grand scheme of things, a loss in Connect Four wasn’t a big deal. Another game was in the wings waiting for some action. (Hungry Hungry Hippos, anyone?)

There’s no question we’re living in some topsy turvy times. Whether you’re a Mom or an MBA (or both!), creativity and critical thinking is required to navigate the landscape wrought with new rules and shifting paradigms. And it stresses us out.

But why? What if you looked at the challenges you face like any other game?

• Instead of looking at making payroll as a life or death situation, make it into a game.
• Instead of worrying about not getting everything done today, make it into a game.
• Instead of stressing out over how you’ll ever be able to conform to the new regulations in your industry, make it into a game.

Instead of acting like your current challenge as something found in the bad-tasting medicine aisle, mentally re-package it in primary colors and take it from the toy section. Breathe. Smile. Have some fun with it. By looking at it as a game and clearing your mind of the useless worst-case-scenarios, you’ll actually be MORE likely to notice the people, opportunities and ideas you’ll need to win.

You may believe that the stakes are much higher now compared to a silly childhood game of Connect Four. But are they really? With VERY few exceptions, the truth is that our fear of failure is worse than the consequences that come from actually failing. Sure, the project very well might flop, your efforts might go to waste, or someone may laugh at you. You could get rejected, dejected, or fired. Your chips might fall to the ground after a crushing defeat.

But you know what? Life WILL go on. It’ll be ok. You’ll be able to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get ready for the new — even better! — opportunity right around the corner.

Are you game?

photo by ShellyS

This week is officially the “Week of the Young Child” and today is Celebrate Children Day in Wisconsin.

Boy, this is right up our alley. In celebration of all of the fabulously inspiring shorties out there, I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that you don’t have to HAVE kids or WORK with kids in order to celebrate children. Raise your hand if you used to be a kid…

Wow…you all raised your hand. Sweet.

This should also be an opportunity to celebrate the child within — that little spirit left behind in a world that grows foggier and farther away with each additional birthday candle.

Here are a few ways to celebrate the child within this week…

1. Mini-Me Memory Lane
Take a trip to the distant land of your childhood by looking through old photos. Take the time to recall the details in the pictures, like the toys you were playing with, the pictures on the wall in the background, or your Dad’s paisley shirt. Identifying these trivial elements will help to spark treasured memories.

2. Do-Over
Pick one of your favorite childhood activities and do it. It could be a simple game of whiffle ball, blowing bubbles, making something cool from a lump of Play-doh, or just a bike ride — whatever you choose make sure it’s something you haven’t done in years. Invite your loved ones to join you.

3. Lifelong Friend
You wouldn’t be who you are today without the influence and guidance of some key adults who loved you unconditionally. Make a phone call or write a letter to the grown-up who encouraged you to enjoy your childhood, celebrating the child you were way back when. If that special person has passed away, get in touch with a close contact of that person and share a great memory with him or her. You’ll surely make their day.

4. Tuning in Yesteryears
Watch your all-time favorite childhood movie or TV show. Youtube is filled with countless clips of shows, movies, and even old commercials. I can’t help but feel five when I watch one of the classic Charlie Brown holiday specials. Disney movies, like Snow White or Cinderella, are instant time machines as well. And don’t forget the comedies of the past — like I Love Lucy and Three Stooges. Here’s a list to get some inspiration.

5. Look Back List
Make a list of all of things you remember about your childlike self. Were you spunky? Fearless? Funny? Then, take some time comparing that little you with your current adult self. What traits have stayed with you? What attributes need some dusting off? Taking time to think about this will help you be more conscious about maintaining that childlike spirit that once ran freely.

6. Yesterday’s Yummies
Eat your favorite childhood food. The reason comfort foods are comforting is because we often subconsciously associate that food with a positive part of our childhood. Think about your top comfort foods and the memories you have with them. Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls remind me of relaxing afternoons after school, watching Brady Bunch and chilling before dinner. Need some ideas? Check out our All-Time Greatest Childhood Food tournament.

7. Hunting the BFF
Inevitably, we all have a former childhood friend we’ve lost touch with. Of course, with inventions like Facebook, maybe you’ve already found one another. If that’s the case, email her and reminisce about old times. If you still have a BFF in the wind, spend some time doing a little research to see if you can make a long overdue connection.

8. Day Dream Believer
Think back on your childhood dreams of who you wanted to be and what you wanted to experience in life. What were your core motives for those dreams? Have you accomplished them? For instance, if you wanted to be a professional ice skater, don’t beat yourself up for missing out on the Olympics. Think about WHY you wanted this. Maybe you were interested in individual athletic competition, the artistic costumes, or the sweeping music. Do any of these former interests connect with anything you do today? Analyzing childhood dreams is a good way to see if you are on the right track with your current endeavors.

9. Learn from George
In honor of the childlike curiosity still within (even if it’s buried pretty deep), take some time to exercise your wondering muscles. Go to a museum or take a behind-the-scenes tour. Check out an interesting book at the library or spend some time learning about something fascinating online. Like Curious George, it’s okay to get a little messy and/or create a little mayhem in the process — after all, it wouldn’t be childlike without a little adventure.

What will you do this week to celebrate the child within? Let us know in the comments!

art by jason (available at the Kim & Jason Lemonade Stand)

I hate it that we lose that free-spiritedness as we get older. Most of us, anyway. Me included.

Oh sure, it’s one thing to dance up a storm from the privacy of your own living room, but out in public? Not so much. Of course, Lucy’s dancing bug is location independent. Inside or outside, if the music moves her, she’s a dancing queen.

Stupid Adultitis.

It convinces us that we’ll look stupid or embarrass ourselves if we let loose a little bit. And so we don’t. We stay tight in our safe, comfortable little cocoons, while stress and anxiety entomb us. Rock the boat? Not me. Call attention to ourselves? Not a chance.

Stupid, stupid Adultitis.

While we heed its warnings and try to avoid being looked at or labeled as foolish, we never stop to ask the question, “Who cares?” Adultitis doesn’t like us asking that question, because it’s the one that reveals the fact that the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes.

I got an email the other day from Katrina, a 5th grade teacher in the suburbs of Chicago. While standing around at a movie theater, she and her friends got into a conversation with a young girl:

We learned in this conversation that she was involved in gymnastics. So naturally, she wanted to show us her skills. This was great. A little girl doing cartwheels and a back bend or two in the lobby of this movie theater. After a few minutes, she looked at me and said, “Ok, your turn.”

What?!

Ok, I can do a cartwheel, a round off, and most of the time a handspring — but here?! Now?! With other people, church-goers, and movie theater people watching?……OK!

Yes, I did. I found my almost 27-year-old self doing cartwheels and roundoffs with a 6-year-old in the lobby. We roped a friend of ours into doing handstands and somersaults with her. He was not nearly as good as she was. It was so funny to watch. Ah, laughter- where have you been! (My friend) is older than I am, and probably found himself asking himself the same questions I was asking myself: “Am I really doing this? Is anyone going to care?”

The funny thing is no one said anything. We didn’t get yelled at, kicked out, NOTHING! In the end, it was so freeing. It felt awesome to act like a six-year-old. I find that I have to be all grown up at work. It was great to not care.

Did you notice that? No one stopped to point and laugh at Katrina and her friend. No one suggested that they should take their hijinks to the local park or threatened to call the shame police. They probably looked extremely silly, but — gasp! — no one cared. The world kept on spinning. And laughter was able to work its Adultitis-melting magic in Katrina and her friends.

While we are buy into Adultitis’ advice about avoiding foolishness at all costs, we often fail to realize that our childlike outbursts might actually uplift someone, and brighten their day. There’s no doubt in my mind that the people who witnessed Katrina’s cartwheels smiled, encouraged to witness an example of someone not taking themselves too seriously.

Or take car dancing.

You know, that irresistible urge to gyrate and groove while driving down the highway when your favorite song comes on the radio. We tend to downplay our drumming on the steering wheel when there’s a chance another driver will spot our shenanigans.

But what if instead of them thinking we’re a little loony, we were actually giving them some relief? Happiness. Hope.

The Levity Project recently sponsored a micro-movement in which they invited people all over the world to send in videos of themselves car dancing. Ina Lucas, Operations Manager of The Levity Project, had some provocative insights to share about her involvement in it:

What I’ve found by being freer in my dance, is that it breaks down the walls between people. We live in a car society where everyone is cruising around in their own worlds, disconnected from everyone else. When you share the joy that comes out of you when you dance, you break through the barrier of the car shell, and you touch someone or make them smile and bring a human connection to their day.

Now you’re an agent of social change at the wheel. Maybe that person didn’t know how they were going to pay their bills, but they saw you dancing and they saw you in your freedom and in that moment, they felt relief. Or even happiness. Or even the feeling that everything was going to be OK. THAT is powerful stuff!

Watch this video and see if it doesn’t indeed make you smile.

Click here to view the embedded video.

There is nothing dangerous about car dancing at a stop light or doing cartwheels in public, but we avoid them as if they were. As I once heard Lou Heckler say, “The world is aching for a little silliness.” Join me in an effort to be a little bit more willing to let that childlike spirit out and play — especially when other people are watching.

The world is indeed aching, and you can help provide the cure.

Sign up to receive our free newsletter to get regular reminders and tips for stressing less and having more fun. Consider it a well-deserved jolt of happiness for your inbox.

photo by mike souza

Remember the childhood game that settled every argument? No, not thumb wrestling (or even arm wrestling, for that matter.) I’m referring to “rock-paper-scissors.” Sure, it’s fun to flip a coin or draw straws, but nothing says childhood like this favorite classic.

If you don’t know that rock beats scissors, then you might need to reconnect with your inner 8-year-old and think back to the simpler days of childhood – the days when disputes were so inconsequential that silly hand gesture games could resolve them in less than a minute.

Oh, if only adulthood could be that simple.

Well, apparently a federal judge in Tampa thought so a few years ago. K&J Nation member Steven S. shared with us an article about a childlike judge who made two arguing attorneys (hard to imagine, I know) play rock-paper-scissors to determine the location for retrieving a sworn statement from a witness. (Thanks for sharing Steven!) How cool is this judge?!

The most interesting part of this story was the poll on the website asking, “Was the judge right to impose a ‘rock-paper-scissors’ order on the attorneys?” The two choices were: 1) Yes: He sure was, embarrassing them that way will teach them to get along, and 2) No: It only makes the judge look childish.

Of course I voted “Yes.” After voting, I noticed that out of 36,083 votes, 92% also voted yes with only 8% voting no. These numbers give me hope regarding Adultitis and tell me that maybe us grown-ups need to (and want to, as indicated by the 92%) stop taking ourselves so darn seriously. So, in an effort to help you do that, here are 9 adulthood decisions you can make using “rock-paper-scissors.” Feel free to get creative and add your own in the comments.

1. Who has to change the dirty diaper?
2. Who has to pump the gas on a cold wintry night?
3. Who has to bring the car for an oil change?
4. Who has to change the printer cartridge?
5. Who has to take out the garbage?
6. Who has to mow the lawn?
7. Who has to do the dishes?
8. Who has to vacuum the car?
9. Who has to go grocery shopping?

P.S. You’ll notice, all of these tasks are often Adultitis-inducing. So, why not mix it up and have some fun with it? Silly fun like this is a simple way to take the dread out of daily chores.

P.S.S. If you’re a R-P-S fan, check out our cool t-shirt!

Sign up to receive our free newsletter to get regular reminders and tips for stressing less and having more fun. Consider it a well-deserved jolt of happiness for your inbox.

photo by mauren veras

Kim came across a story in which a man was denied a first class upgrade on a United flight by a gate agent because we was dressed “too casually.” He was wearing a track suit.

Good thing he wasn’t wearing a clown suit; he’d be deported by now.

It looks like a classic case of Adultitis, and I consider myself lucky that it wasn’t me. You see, my standard travel garb is almost always a pair of Adidas track pants and a Mr. Incredible t-shirt (for good luck.) I’ve been upgraded to first class on a number of occasions, clearly not realizing how fortunate I was.

I wonder what other stipulations the agent puts on first class flyers. Is everyone required to tap away incessantly on their laptops, taking breaks only to talk about how bad the economy is or sigh loudly when it’s announced that the flight will be delayed? Laughing must surely be outlawed, but what’s the punishment for a smile? An extra helping of airline food?

In a follow-up story, United Airlines was quick to point out that the gate agent is a contract employee who works for Air Wisconsin. They also said they’re investigating the incident. According to the airline, although there is no dress code, there are two rules: Ticketed passengers can not be barefoot and must be clothed.

[Side note: I can't help but wonder about the origin of these rules. Have they actually had naked people try to board a flight? Or did they create the rule preemptively, thinking, "We'd better figure out a way to keep all those naked people I see walking through the airport from coming on OUR planes!"]

Whether or not this incident reflects United’s corporate culture or it was simply a rogue agent acting alone, the fact remains that every airline I’ve encountered is bursting with high levels of Adultitis. It seems like Southwest Airlines keeps things fun, but I can’t speak from experience because they don’t service Madison. The only Adultitis antidote I’ve discovered for air travel is the technique of bringing a baby with you. Smiles and good service are guaranteed.

I realize that air travel is a stressful industry across the board. But I can’t help but think how easy it would be to make noticeable changes. For instance, don’t just tell us our flight is delayed. Explain why. Err on the side of giving us too much information, and don’t treat us like your slaves. Let us keep our shoes on in the security lines. Smile more (or at the very least, pretend like you give a damn).

For the overachieving airlines (if there are any), here are a few ways to take things to the next level and create raving fans:

• Instead of peanuts, serve Cracker Jacks (with a prize inside.)
• Hire more comedians to serve as flight attendants, or require your current people to take improv classes.
• Paint cool murals on the planes, a la the Cow Parade that’s been held in Chicago and other cities.
• Draw random seat numbers for door prizes, which might be 500 extra bonus miles, a free drink, or a gift certificate to an airport restaurant.

What about you? What are some ways you think the airlines could make flying more fun? Share your ideas in the comments.

Sign up to receive our free newsletter to get regular reminders and tips for stressing less and having more fun. Consider it a well-deserved jolt of happiness for your inbox.

When I was five, I was the “character” in my family. Being the youngest daughter of four girls, I innocently sought after (and claimed) the attention of my family with my super silly dances and crazy mismatched outfits. The crazier my moves, the more reaction I received, which I loved!

Over the subsequent 15 years, I slowly found myself growing up and becoming an “adult.” Sure, I loved the later bedtimes, but the bills and responsibilities were not cool. Life became more serious: earn the diploma, land a job, pay down debt, be responsible…yadda yadda yadda. Finding that inner kindergartner has become harder and harder over the years, which is why Jason and I do what we do. It’s a constant journey to rediscover that childlike me, fighting Adultitis every step of the way.

Well, I found “her” in Chicago on Saturday.

About three months ago, I was introduced by my good friend Lance Ekum to The Levity Project. You may have heard me talk about this. Katie West is the brainchild behind this amazing endeavor as she seeks to create global social change towards a world which unites in joy. Her vision is to design a more buoyant society through laughter, play and celebration. In order to do this, they engage in public acts of levity which create social change in a public place and for those present, which creates a ripple effect of positivity to all those they come into contact with during the moment and afterwards.

I had the opportunity to participate in The Levity Project in Chicago on Saturday. It involved three creative events – each one bringing countless smiles and laughs to not only the participants, but also the passersby. Heck, some folks even stopped to join us, without full understanding of what was going on – proving once again that laughter and happiness are seriously contagious. Thank goodness, right?!

Amidst the building momentum of each event and the giddiness of the activities, I found myself tapping into levels of silliness that I haven’t gotten to in years. Ya know when you’re little and you think you can tackle the world, you think you can do anything?! I had these same grandiose feelings sweeping through me. I was playfully confident, with more energy than I would know what to do with. I felt five — just like the good ‘ol days!

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for staying in this blissful state. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It takes effort to be this buoyant, but it’s totally worth it. Need a jump start today? Here are a few ideas (inspired by Katie and The Levity Project) to help you drink from that fountain of youth, bringing out your childlike spirit once again…

• Wear a funny hat.
• Go outside with friends and enjoy the fresh air.
• Practice laughter (fake it ’till ya make it).
• Play freeze tag.
• Sport some silly sunglasses.
• Smile at strangers.
• Speak gibberish (Hat tip to Katie West’s FABULOUS blog)
• Laugh until you get someone to laugh with you.
• Wear a lei.
• Blow bubbles.
• Ride on the top of a double decker bus.
• Give someone a high five.

Thanks for the levity, Katie!! Can’t wait to see what city The Levity Project hits next!

On the plane coming home from New York the other day, after the flight attendant told us to turn off our portable electronic devices, I reached for the Delta Sky magazine in the seat back pocket. I was delighted to find an article on the upcoming movie adaptation of Maurice Sendak’s classic children’s book, Where The Wild Things Are.

[Fun Fact: When the book came out in 1963, parents and teachers tried to get it banned. It was controversial because kids aren't supposed to be sent to bed without dinner. Pretty scandalous, huh?]

The article featured interviews with two of the actors from the film, Forest Whitaker and Catherine O’Hara, who play Ira and Judith, respectively. It was neat to hear that Sendak was very involved in the movie, and fascinating to hear about the unorthodox technique director Spike Jonze used to coax remarkable performances out of the actors.

According to O’Hara, typical voiceover work [the actors didn't appear on-screen as the actual Wild Things] is done in a studio, often just one or two actors at a time. “For the most part you’re by yourself in this kind of vacuum world, hearing other voices or having someone who’s not even playing the part read other parts,” said O’Hara.

But Jonze didn’t go the typical route:

O’Hara: It was nuts! For three weeks he got us all to go up in the woods. The idea of course, was to get us to be like wild things, but also to get us to be like children. I found it really hard at first to just kind of let go and be loose. We were all kind of looking at each other like, “Really?” And then by the end of it we were–

Whitaker: Yeah, everybody was totally involved. Spike had divided us into groups, and we were chasing each other through the woods trying to knock each other out. By the end, everybody was so into it.

O’Hara: It sounds very “method,” but it was really fun and silly. And we were in such good company, you wanted to be good for everyone. But I also enjoyed going back to thinking and acting like a child, to be that open and not self-conscious.

Whitaker: We did all the scenes, and we basically just had mics on our heads, and each person would have a camera person to follow us around and watch everything we were doing. Even when we weren’t saying lines.

The movie has yet to be released, but it’s on the top of my must-see list. Judging from the accounts shared by the actors, my guess is that the extra effort will be what helps make the project go from good to remarkable.

Sometimes, in order to create something remarkable, you need to shake things up, try a different approach and let play enter the picture.

If you’re stuck on a project or a product, try a new approach. Relocate your team to a different location. For instance, what if you held your planning meeting at the local pizza joint? Or a park? (Who says meetings have to held in conference rooms, anyway? That’s definitely a rule that doesn’t exist.)

Be playful, and be patient with the process. It will likely be met with some resistance, mainly just because our childlike side has gotten so rusty. It’s awkward at first. Fortunately, Spike Jonze gave his actors permission to let loose. Get your people to let our their inner wild thing and watch the magic happen.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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Did you have an imaginary friend when you were a kid? If so, have you ever wondered what he or she is up to these days?

Do imaginary friends age right along with you? Do they grow up and get imaginary jobs and have an imaginary family while living in an imaginary home paid for with imaginary money? (Which, by the way, is the kind of money real politicians like to spend.) Or are they sent to some kind of solitary confinement camp just for imaginary friends who have been neglected?

I don’t recall having an imaginary friend per se, but I did inhabit a lot of imaginary worlds as various individuals, superheroic and otherwise. And I still cry any time I hear Peter, Paul, and Mary sing Puff the Magic Dragon.

In a recent interview Kim and I did with our friend Thom Singer for his Some Assembly Required podcast (listen to it right here – it turned out awesome!), Thom mentioned his own imaginary friend from childhood, aka Chuckie.

When he was a boy, Thom’s aunt dutifully made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for him and Chuckie. He admitted that he had lost contact with Chuckie over the years, but our conversation inspired Thom to track him down and see if he’d be willing to write a guest post for his blog.

The search was successful and Chuckie agreed. The resulting post is a creative and insightful account from the perspective of an imaginary friend. (You can even follow Chuckie on Twitter @ChuckieandMargo)

Once you read the post, you’ll see that your own imaginary friend might be closer than you think, and probably has an important message he or she has been trying to share.

So the questions I leave you with today are these:

Did you have an imaginary friend? What is he or she up to today?

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Summer is winding down, the kids are back in school, and the long, bleak, football hiatus is almost over. If you’re a fantasy football nut, you already know that this is one of the most exciting times of the year. You know the thrill of channeling your inner Jerry Jones in order to take your shot at building a team for the ages, proving once and for all that should you be offered the opportunity, you’d have what it takes to be among the NFL’s top brass.

What you may not have known, however, is that fantasy football can make you a better Dad.

Even though the WAFS (Women Against Fantasy Sports) are bound to be up in my grill no matter what I say, I’d like to throw out the disclaimer that like pizza and beer, a good thing like fantasy football has the ability to wreak real havoc if consumed in extremes. Taking out a second mortgage to finance the 73 leagues you’re in, or being so focused on a game that you neglect to notice your kids lighting your sofa on fire, or accidentally calling your wife Suzy are not good, and will do nothing to help your chances at Dad of the Year.

But in moderation, your fantasy football fix can certainly enhance your fathering. Here’s how:

1) Recharge Your Batteries. Fantasy football allows you to escape from the stressful day-to-day grind that is typical of most modern lives. Pastimes and hobbies are important. We all need some “Me” time once in a while, and there’s nothing selfish about it. Taking some time to recharge by doing something fun gives you more energy to be more fully engaged in the other areas of your life, including parenting. The key is to make sure your spouse also gets some time to herself doing things she enjoys, which is most likely stuff as useless and silly to you as she finds fantasy football.

2) Share Your Passion. It’s always a good thing for your kids to see you passionate about something and having fun. It sends the message that life is not all about work, work, work and provides an example that a well-lived life has a sense of balance. Plus, kids are most secure when their parents are happy and Dads can set the tone of the household. I think about days — fortunately, they were rare — when my dad was in a foul mood, and it cast a dark cloud over the whole family. When he was really excited, we were able to share in that excitement and enjoyed the happier tone.

3) Teach A Lesson on Losing. Speaking of foul moods, unless you experience the mother of all seasons, fantasy football almost always gives you the opportunity to model what it means to lose gracefully. Whether it’s when Tom Brady blows out his knee in the first quarter of the first game (yep, that was me last year), or you lose a crucial game by one tenth of a point, hard losses come our way from time to time. How you deal with them is a great lesson to share with your kids. Remember, kids learn more from what you DO than from what you SAY, so practice what you preach…

(Read the rest of this article over at Dad-O-Matic, a cool site for Dads, by Dads.)

Is there a silver bullet to instant happiness? Yes, and it’s an idea that I would hazard to guess wouldn’t even be on your radar. Drum roll please…

Fake laughter (aka practicing laughter).

Yes, you read that right, I said “fake.” Doesn’t fake laughter usually have a negative connotation?

I’m sure you’ve heard of the many benefits of real laughter in your life, like boosting the ‘ol  immune system, bringing you more energy, lower levels of pain, and protecting you from the dreaded Adultitis, which leaves you a stressed-out mess. But, did you know that fake laughter brings you the same exact results!? I learned this fabulous life-changing fact from Katie West, the Levity Coach. In her work as a certified life coach, she encourages the rediscovery of laughter and playfulness as a way to fuel the work of achieving your dreams. She shared in a recent blog,

“Pretending to laugh (or practicing laughter) can alter our body chemistry since our brains can not tell the difference between real and fake laughter.”

So, the benefits of “real” and “fake” laughter are the exact same! This simple statement is what gave me the courage to take the first step towards participating in her “15 Minutes With the Levity Project,” in which you gather in a public place and laugh for 15 minutes. My first (and only) objection to this idea had been answered right away… how would I laugh for 15 minutes straight? What would be so funny? As Katie assured, pretending to laugh is just as good for you. So, last Saturday fellow Wisconsin blogger Lance Ekum from The Jungle of Life joined Jason and me as we co-hosted the first Madison Laugh Flash. It was a blast!

Here’s a video about the event from the NBC news…

Click here to view the embedded video.

In preparation for the event, Katie shared with us that laughter is made up of three words… Ha, Hee, and Ho. When you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, all you have to do is belt out some fake laughter, and immediately your body will start to release endorphins and you’ll be feeling good. Much of Katie’s work falls under the umbrella of “laughter yoga,” an amazing movement founded by the Indian physician, Dr. Madan Kataria. This CNN clip is a good summary of what this is all about.

Click here to view the embedded video.

So, it’s time to be honest with yourself. Could you use a little laughter in your life? Do you find yourself dealing with the stress that accompanies adulthood? Would your body benefit from some natural stress-relieving chemicals? Do the people around you need an excuse to smile and chuckle? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then it’s time to incorporate a little (of A LOT) of fake laughter into your day. Before you know it, you’ll be laughing for real and making some real improvements in your health and in your attitude.

Get started right now… ha ha ha, ho ho ho, hee hee!

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Photo by dreamymo

In an episode of Seinfeld, after discovering that a severance package from the New York Yankees should last him about three months, George Costanza decided to take the summer off, declaring it the “Summer of George.” Some of the activities he engaged in were playing frolf, purchasing a new recliner with a refrigerator in it, and reading a book, from beginning to end (and in that order.)

My buddy Chip Lutz has declared 2009 the “Summer of Play.” Rather than focusing on the things you can’t control, he implores you to control the things that will help you focus on living your life by making time for play.

Apparently the media has decided that this should be the “Summer of Michael Jackson.” Which I guess is a better alternative to their first draft: “The Summer of Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth Over the Economic Meltdown.”

What’s your theme for the summer?

We’re already well into July, and the summer is speeding by. Declaring a theme for yourself is a tangible way to take control over the direction your life is headed. There are many things we can’t control –like the economy, the weather, and the recent phenomenon of celebrities dropping like flies — but dwelling on those things is an open invitation for Adultitis to take over.

I quite like Chip’s “Summer of Play” idea. So far, I have Shamwowed my neighbors, triumphed over my wife in a dizzy bat race, grilled Twinkies and Twizzlers for the 4th of July, enjoyed a pontoon boat ride on Lake Michigan, and competed in a four-course mini-golf tournament with my dad and brothers (finishing second). In a week, I’ll be heading out to Arizona to hang with my speaker friends and visit the Grand Canyon with Lucy and my parents. I’m wrapping things up with a U2 concert in Chicago. Rock on.

Here are some simple steps for creating your own theme in order to annihilate the Adultitis in your life while having the best summer ever.

1. Decide on a theme. It can be anything, as long as it’s fun. Consider tying it to an interest or hobby, like reading, biking, cooking, or local travel.
2. Make a list. Generate a list of different things you could do. Come up with more ideas than you can possibly get to; it’s always good to have options, and you never know, maybe your summer theme will stretch into the fall. Load up on little things. A big fat two-week vacation is nice, but a series of small things spread out over the summer is more effective when it comes to consistently keeping Adultitis at bay.
3. Schedule it. Everyone knows that if something doesn’t get scheduled, it doesn’t get done. Don’t just wait for a random free day. Nature abhors a vacuum, and if you’re like most people, those “free” days have a habit of being filled in with chores and unappealing invitations. Give yourself the opportunity to say, “I already have plans.” Reserve little chunks of time for yourself and maybe mix in a meekend or two.
4. Share your adventures. Adultitis is very contagious, but so is a childlike spirit. Let your enthusiasm spread to others. Join Chip’s Summer of Play Group, share your stories in the comments below, or post photos on the Kim & Jason Facebook Page. Putting your adventures out there not only can inspire others, but it also gives you the confidence that comes from knowing that you’re living your life on purpose and having fun doing it.

So, what’s your theme for the summer?

Photo by Kevin Lawver

Here’s a cool game to play around the dinner table. (And if you’re not gathering with your family around the dinner table regularly, what’s wrong with you?)

I learned about this from a friendly family I met after a speaking program in Witchita, and here’s how it works: Everyone at the table says in unison: “1-2-3 Hush Puppy!” Immediately, all participants have to be completely quiet for as long as possible. You make a noise, you’re out.

Now this sounds a lot like the game harried parents like to play in order to trick their kids into some much-needed quiet time, except for this little wrinkle: Everyone is strategically trying to get the other people to make a noise (or even better, laugh) by making silly faces or goofy gestures. The champion is the one who is able to maintain their silence the longest.

Something tells me that three-year-olds rarely emerge victorious.

It’s officially summer. (cue kids cheering) Life slows down a bit in the summer, at least it should, leaving you with more time to spit watermelon seeds, dip your toes in a swimming pool, and savor the sweet refreshing taste of freshly squeezed lemonade. Mmm! If I had to pick out a centerpiece of summer, though, it would have to be the campfire. They have a magical way of bringing people together, inviting them to laugh, sing, and tell secrets. The sparkling golden hues of the fire, the crackles of the wood popping, the bright constellations above, and the warmth of people gathered around a central focus… I love campfires. So much of our life is spent moving in different directions, but the summertime campfire grabs you by the hand and asks you to sit and relax… together. Enjoy these ten campfire games you have to play…

1. Telephone
2. Truth or dare
3. Chubby bunny
4. Two truths and a lie
5. Guess the jelly bean
6. Twenty questions
7. Name that tune
8. A What?
9. Do as I say… not as I do
10. I can tap this stick just right

P.S. This isn’t a game, so it didn’t make the list, but here’s a fun site with over 1,600 campfire songs.

P.S.S. Also, not a game, but here’s a cool site to inspire some spooky campfire stories.

Photo by lambchops

Wanna guess what the best-selling car in America was last year? Something by Honda? Or Toyota?

Nope.

At 457,000 units sold, the Little Tikes Cozy Coupe outsold every other car in the U.S. in 2008. And I hear it gets great gas mileage.

Now, I have super duper secret sources that tell me that — I shouldn’t even be telling you this — the auto industry is in trouble. You might be saying to yourself, “What? How can this be? How does he know these things?” Trust me, I’m a blogger, we have our ways.

So, yes, the auto industry is a mess (and as usual, Uncle Sam has done his part in making matter worse.) The bestseller from Little Tikes may be just a toy, but I believe that automakers can improve their fortunes by taking some cues from the Cozy Coupe.

1) Make ‘em unique. No, really.
Auto shows are cool for one main reason: the concept cars. A host of shiny, exciting prototypes are put on display, and everyone ogles the futuristic eye candy. It’s as if George and Jane Jetson decided to showcase all the cars they bought from the proceeds they earned from cashing in all their Google stock.

The problem is that the concept cars never show up. Instead, the car company introduces a boring lump of steel that looks eerily like last year’s model. Bleh. Talk about a letdown. I think in order for a car to be allowed to make it into production, it has to pass what I call the “Squint Test.” If you squint your eyes a bit, about 95% of the cars on the road today look EXACTLY the same. The Squint Test goes like this: if you squint your eyes and can’t tell the difference between your car and a Civic, it’s back to the drawing board time.

2) Make ‘em with a little personality.
Some of the Cozy Coupes actually have faces on them. While I’m not sure turning America’s highways into a scene from Pixar’s mega hit Cars will ever fly (although isn’t it kind of fun to imagine?), there’s something to be said about building in a little personality. Face it, the Toyota Camry screams, “I’m plain, practical (and a little boring.)”

Now think about the Ford Mustang GT. The ’57 Chevy. The Mini Cooper. And yes, even the Hummer. For better or for worse, these vehicles come standard with personality. We need more of that. It’s the exact reason I love that I hate the 2004 Toyota Scion xB. I hate the look of the thing, but I love that they made it so I HAD to have an opinion about it.

3) Make ‘em fuel efficient.
The Cozy Coupe operates on pedal power. Not the most effective way to go from 0 to 60 in 6 seconds, but it’s as green as it gets. I’m not for big government stepping in and pushing mandates; innovation doesn’t work that way. But getting off of fossil fuels is a GAME CHANGER in a bajillion different ways. Be it hydrogen, nuclear, or Doc Brown’s garbage-fueled Mr. Fusion reactor, there is a huge pot of gold waiting for the company that can design a fast, ridiculously fuel efficient car that doesn’t look like a shoe.

4) Make ‘em durable.
The Cozy Coupe is made mostly of plastic. They last just shy of forever, and kids are not known for taking it easy on toys. Saturn was on to something with its dent-free body panels. Body shops might disagree, but I think it would be awesome if we could design some cars that could bounce off each other in a collision with little to no damage. I’d even settle for one that wouldn’t dent when bumped by a car door in the supermarket parking lot.

Just the act of writing this post got my playful juices bubbling, and I’m not even in the car industry (which may actually be the key.) How many more neat innovations could be generated with a little childlike creativity? Here’s a few I came up with:

• What if you could push a button to change the car’s color? Or what if it changed to reflect the driver’s mood?
• What if cars came in stripes, polka dots, camouflage or paisley?
• What if the body was translucent so you could see all the working parts underneath?
• What if every single car was one-of-a-kind? They can do it with shoes, why not cars?
• What if it was built to accommodate widgets? You could customize the dashboard controls, headlights, stereo. I know, mechanical types can pretty much do this now, but what if it was designed so the average Joe could just take the old one out and plug the new one in.

I don’t know, maybe I’m an unsophisticated rube, ignorant of how science, assembly lines, and the auto industry really works. Or maybe that’s exactly the type of thinking the auto industry needs right now.

* * * * *

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Kim and I have been watching the inaugural episodes of the new Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. I think he’s doing a great job, and have been enjoying the shows. I’ve always connected with Conan’s goofy brand of humor. (I did this painting of him when I was in college.)

One of my favorite jokes from last night came during the “In The Year 2000″ segment Conan and sidekick Andy Richter resurrected from their old Late Night days. (The skit has been updated with fancy new costumes and the title, “In The Year 3000.”)…

In the year 3000, Jesus returns to Earth, but due to the bad economy, is forced to lay off seven of the twelve apostles.

It has been a fun little routine crawling into bed with Kim to watch the 6-foot-4 redhead. It’s always better to fall asleep with a smile on your face than with a heart burdened by the worries of the world (I’m looking at you, evening news.)

I’m not sure if The Tonight Show is a better antidote to the doom and gloom the news sprinkles on your pillow than a good children’s book, like I’ve written about before, but laughs are always good for what ails ya.

And definitely one of my new favorite ways to escape adulthood.

How about you? What’s your favorite bedtime routine for escaping adulthood?

Photo credit: bossanostra

So an employer decides that his team needs a little cheering up. It’s Christmastime, nearing the end of what has been a tumultuous year. He remembers his daughter’s recent birthday, and a simple party favor he purchased that was a huge hit with the kids. It was also a huge hit at his own birthday party, some twenty-five years earlier.

A simple red clown nose.

He bought enough for every one of his employees — he had to visit three different stores to collect enough for everyone. Because of the holiday, the clown noses became “Rudolph Noses” and everyone was encouraged to wear one.

He wore his all day long.

So the employees wore them too, and had quite a hoot. Laughter was everywhere. The customers enjoyed the fun as well. After all, it’s impossible to take yourself too seriously while wearing a clown nose.

Now, this didn’t occur at a place you might expect, like an elementary school or a design firm or an internet startup. Nope, this happened at a bank, arguably one of the least desirable places to work during this economic downturn. A place often filled with stuffed shirts and even stuffier demeanors. The story is true. The ringleader was the CEO, and his name is Morty. I met him today in Tampa, Florida.

Many industries have been hit hard by the weak economy, maybe yours is one of them. Don’t wait for someone on the news to give you something to smile about (you might be waiting a long time.) Clown noses cost about a quarter. If the CEO of a bank can give his employees permission to have a little fun with some red foam, imagine what fun you could have where you work.

The expense is minimal, but the benefits could be priceless.

One of the best parts about my job speaking to different groups around the country are the stories people share after the program. Our audiences are a treasure trove of great ideas for escaping adulthood!

While in Tampa, Florida, one woman came up to me and shared a game her brother-in-law (Lowell Allen) plays with his family. I’d heard of it before, but didn’t really know what it was. It’s called Peep Jousting. If its new to you. here’s the skinny, according to Urban Dictionary:

A game involving the classic Easter candy, Marshmallow Peeps. Each Peep has a toothpick sticking out of the front of it, like a lance. Two Peeps, so armed, are placed in a microwave facing each other. As they are heated, they expand, until one Peep’s toothpick makes contact with the other, causing the unfortunate bugger to pop.

Now, as awesome as that sounds, it’s even awesomer to watch:

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now, is this little game the result of people up north having too much time on their hands during long winter months spent indoors? Maybe. Does it border on childish? Perhaps. (But it doesn’t hurt anybody — except maybe for Peeps unskilled in the art of jousting…)

One thing is certain: it is definitely a cheap way to escape adulthood.

Every once in a while I run across something in adulthood that I would’ve died for as a kid. Superfan Steven Sauke shared with us one of these things. FAO Schwartz has an online section of their store where you can actually build your own Muppet. Yep, you get to choose the color of the body, the type of eyes, nose and hair, as well as the outfit. Way cool! What a way to whisk you back to childhood. I certainly would’ve saved up my allowance for a chance to design and own my very own Muppet.

Now does anyone really need a custom designed, $90, Muppet? No, especially not in this economy, however I would argue that now more than ever one needs to treat themselves to a little fun. It would definitely be the “most sensational, inspirational, celebrational, muppetational” experience!

Reigniting memories from joyful childhood experiences is a simple way to decrease the stress in your life. For instance, the simple act of watching the intro to The Muppet Show brings me back to a simpler time in my life, when sprawling out on the carpet for an episode of The Muppet Show was a highlight of my week. We are so fortunate these days, with the Internet at our fingertips, to be able to Google things from our childhood and to steal a few smiles and memories. This is time well spent. Give it a try!

In a matter of seconds, with the help of YouTube, I was able to find the intro for you here. However, I also found a hilarious version of Beaker singing Coldplay’s “Yellow.” Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.