Have you noticed how many people you meet on a daily basis who don’t look happy. In fact, some of them look downright grumpy.
I understand there’s a lot going on these days what with politics, national and personal financial uncertainty, and well, it seems the world is just in a mood.
My sister and I have decided we need to bump up The Yum-Yum Factor in our lives.
“And how do you do that?” You ask.
I’m so glad you asked.
First let me say there are a scant few people who are immersed in Yum-Yum. Then there’s the rest of us. If you’re one of the uncommon few whose life is filled with Yum-Yum, please comment below and share your secret with us.
If, however, you would like more joyful, juicy, glorious, Yum-Yum in your life, it might be time for you to think about making a few changes. Here are a few ideas that my sister and I have come up with.
- Become a noticer. Notice someone’s beautiful hair, lovely outfit, darling child, or amazing car. Once you notice it, comment on it. I love doing this. In grocery stores, parking lots, while walking in the park. I think many people are still suffering from isolation fear and fatigue. When I tell a stranger how beautiful their hair is or what an amazing car they have, 100% of the time they smile … or laugh. Let me know if it works for you, too.
- Stand up straight. When you stand up straight and sit or walk with your shoulders back you feel better. One reason is that you’re opening up your chest and you can breathe easier. Really. Try it. And while you’re at it, quit holding your breath. When your breath is shallow, you don’t get as much oxygen to your brain (so you’re stupider… no offense).
- Don’t kick the dog. I heard a story about a guy who had a fight with his partner before going to work. When he got to work, he yelled at his secretary for not having an important letter finished. The secretary tried to get paper unjammed from the copy machine, and while banging on it she broke it. The scientist who had a presentation to give in half an hour to 15 very important clients had to walk up 3 flights of stairs to find a working copy machine. She went home and yelled at her daughter for not taking the garbage out again. The daughter kicked the dog on the way to the trash can. Poop runs down hill and sometimes you’re standing at the bottom of the hill. That doesn’t mean you have to kick poop on everyone who walks by. Try stepping out of the poopy puddle, wipe your shoes off, and get on with your day. Don’t spread that poop around and make everyone around you stink. (See Number 2 above).
- Smile. Yes. People have studied what smiling can do for you. Smiling signals the brain to release neurotransmitters causing your body to relax a bit and as a side benefit, boosting your immune system. People who smile are more likely to be promoted at work because they’re perceived as happier and better team players. Smiling can make you feel better and look younger. Smiling is contagious. What would the world be like if we caused a smiling pandemic? Let’s do it!
Here are just four ideas that can increase the Yum-Yum Factor in your life. Let us know how they’ve worked for you. Do you do something that bumps up the Yum-Yum Factor in your life. Please share with us below. We’d love to add it to our list.
Onward and upward.