Being Cheerful and Having a Laugh

Each Friday at work, i have this thing where i answer the phone and if i can identify the person i say "Hello (First Name), Happy Friday!"   I try always to sound bright and cheerful.  Sound strange?  Perhaps it is but 9 times out of 10, despite most callers being male and usually very busy with their business, they laugh and for that moment in time, i have brought them joy. Its so naff that it shocks them. Even the grumpiest or busiest of callers, and i do get a few, do not fail to completely change their tone and respond in kind, often laughing. You would have to have a serious case of the grumps to be nasty to someone who is cheerful. Ive even started getting a few callers who jump in first and its me who laughs at how ridiculous it sounds.

Although not intentional this method of greeting has broken so many barriers that next time they call i am usually on a first name basis and i can extend to asking "how are you today X".  Sorry to say ladies, men do like to talk, just not to their wives/partners.  Perhaps its because I'm on the end of a phone, i listen  and they have never met me but i usually get a few minutes of chat before i pass calls on.  You'd be surprised how often this small effort to brighten someones day translates into sales or an extension of credit.

Despite wearing many hats at work, i think that the most important one is being the voice of the company. So that voice had better be pleasant and uplifting.

Most people are happy that the weekend is about to arrive and that Friday is usually the end of a long work week.  I'm lucky that i love my job and the people i work for and so i can afford to spread a little cheer.  Try saying something nice to the courier that drops off your parcels.  He's been working hard too and maybe he needs a lift. He will remember you, guaranteed, and those parcels will find there way to you with a smile. When the checkout chick asked you by rote how your day has been because they have too, bounce it back and say "Great (even if it hasn't), how are you?"  I love that ring, or i like your hair today.  Take the time to stop and check out the most recent photos of a staff members children.  Compliment a child for behaving well in front of their parents and watch the proud glow appear on their face. Yep, I'm one of those people who can have complete conversations with people they don't know, anywhere, anytime.  I'm blogging to you aren't i?

So So True

I'm not always happy and full of joy.  My life is sometimes very challenging but mostly i can push myself past it and you know what? I usually find that after a bit of faking, my mood lightens and it becomes genuine.  It takes more effort to frown and to be grumpy than it does to smile.

Its a bit like laughter therapy.  Just start laughing.  It will sound fake at first but shortly it catches and you are laughing for real. If you are with a friend then you will soon find yourself splitting your sides as you keep on laughing together.  Its hard to stop. Usually its a case of whose pelvic floor muscles give out and its a fight to get to the toilet first.

Did you know that there are over 6000 Laughter clubs in 70 countries that practise Laughter Yoga.

Laughter Exercises    Go on try it.  If you have no one with you, laugh along with the YouTube.

Careful though, this also works in reverse.  I'm a sympathy crier as well.  If someone is sad then i can be in tears in minutes, even if its a TV ad.  I have literally burst into tears watching someone say goodbye at the airport and i didn't even know them.  Don't get me started on sad movies or sob stories on the radio.  Ive left home perfectly fine and been wasted with tears before reaching work.  Its alright, they know me by now and take the good with the bad.

There is a song out at the moment and i know its a favourite of Narf77 and many others.  It makes me want to get up and dance from the first few bars.

Pharrell Williams - Happy      Over 63 Million views in a few months, lots of people are happy!!!!!!

OK, i think you got the message.  Id rather be physically ill than emotionally sad.  So laugh it up people, forget all the doom and gloom on the media and bring a little cheer to the world.

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