wisewords space disappear; we now live in the
moment, we are at our best and feel
A Conversation with
oh, so good. Allow your children or
grandchildren to lead you down the
Loretta LaRoche
slippery slope to a place where you
can act silly and be a child again.
There, you will rediscover the simple
Author, Stress Management Consultant and Humorist pleasures that bring you happiness,
joy and a pure sense of awe.
by gail condrick
Q. What advice do you have for
We all choose
families to create a home filled with
L
oretta LaRoche,
author, speaker how to interpret
joy rather than anxiety?
and corporate the events in our
stress management con- lives. We can opt
Role modeling joyful, optimistic
sultant, was the winner for humor, wisdom,
behavior ourselves is one of the best
of the 2007 National compassion or the
ways to create a happy family. Often,
Humor Treasure award. willingness to accept
we have no clue how powerful our
Her seven books reflect the situation for what
everyday conversations and body
the lighter side of her it is.
language are in influencing children’s
life philosophy. This Many of us
behavior.
month, Lighten Up! spend our time list-
I suggest doing simple things to-
joins her title hit parade ing our weaknesses.
gether, like eating dinner. Let everyone
that includes Life is Not Then we make the
in the family have unstructured play
a Stress Rehearsal and mistake of sharing
time. And don’t waste your day wor-
M
e
a
n
i
n
g
Life Is Short – Wear Your them with other
rying; instead pat yourself on the back
f
u
l

N
Party Pants. people who listen
for what you have done right.
e
w

Don’t reserve fun for weekends,
C
a
and help us add to
r
W
e
e
Q. Why does your message, “Life is them. We anticipate problems and
birthdays and holidays; pick a day and
o
r
r
k

not a stress rehearsal,” resonate with practice misery.
celebrate for no reason at all. Live life
a
t

H
o
m
audiences? Optimists know that bad things
as if you only have a few moments
e
•

Lo
w In
vestm
en
t
•
F
in
a
n
c
in
g

A
v
a
i
l
a
b
l
e


•


G
r
e
a
t

S
u
p
p
o
r
t
T
ea
m •
can happen, but they don’t obsess over
left. Just break out the champagne and
I have found that, in the last 30 years, them. A true optimist wakes up think-
party pants and celebrate!
Americans’ paradigm for living has ing: “Anything can happen today and I
become busyness and stress. We live can deal with it, as I have in the past.”
Q. How can people maintain their
as if every minute is stressful and We’ve all experienced difficult
joy during difficult times?
define our lives that way. Some stress times in our lives, and for the most

is essential to life; it excites us and part we survive them and go on. It’s
Few can be joyful 24/7, but even in
moves us forward, signaling when to these bumps in the road that give us
the darkest times, there can be humor
pay attention to that which gives us that can-do feeling.
and laughter. Laughter makes life
passion and happiness. It also helps us
easier; it allows us to see the absurdity
discern when we are in danger. What Q. Why do you believe that it’s never
of it all and gives our brains a vacation
incapacitates many people is catastro- too late to have a happy childhood?
and a reality check. Being in good
phising and awfulizing, which leads to
humor keeps life simpler, lighter and
feeling they have no choices. Children are masters of living in the
more humane. Let’s all have amazing
Discovering how to find the moment; but for most adults it takes
lives, where you become the fun you
“bless in the mess,” and living in ap- some work. If we integrate some of
are seeking—your own entertainment
preciation encourages a more peace- what kids do we can approach each
center. That way, wherever you go will
ful, rich and juicy life. day with awe and look at everything
be joyful, if you just show up.
with new eyes. We let go of a “been
For more stress-busting fun, visit
Q. Your books and talks blend hu- there, done that” attitude and really
LorettaLaroche.com and watch for
mor, common sense and values, like look around us. That creature on the
this month’s PBS special, Juicy Living,
living in the moment and optimism, floor is not just another bug, it’s
Juicy Aging.
as a sure-fire antidote to stress. How a BUG!
does this work? When we are truly involved in
Connect with freelance writer Gail Con-
the natural flow of our life, time and
drick of Sarasota, FL, at niavisions.com.
Pr i n t e d o n re c y c l e d Pa P e r t o Pr o t e c t t h e en v i r o n m e n t
August 2009 21
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