Tip for Grownups #2 PUPPY!!!!!!!!!

Animals are one of the things that can bring out the kid in all of us. Sometimes in a good way, some times in a not so good way. Whether it is a cute puppy at the pet store, or a video online of a reindeer stealing a man's wife (click here to see!). Whether it is the fear of snakes or the fear of all animals in general. The way animals behave just fascinates and scares us like few other things today.

 

We see a cute puppy at a store and most people (even the cutest puppy could melt the toughest heart) will instantly up the "AWWW" factor. Or for some people, they see a flock of pigeons on the sidewalk and feel the fear of birds push them to the opposite side of the street. Somehow animals bring out the happy kid or scared child in all of us. 

And it's been proven that touching an animal can improve your mood! Dogs and cats have been used for nursing homes for years to improve the quality of life for the elderly. The Red Cross brings dogs to visit soldiers who haven't been home for a while to give them that little bit of humanity. Dolphins have been helping people with disabilities for years, sparking that wonder in the gentle giants of the sea.

When I woke up this morning, I found my dog wanted to play. I instantly went into play mode with him and got him all sorts of fired up. He was scrambling up the stairs, leaping into the air, leaping across the bed (he's a boarder collie, so for those who know, you know how fast that is) , and egging him on was so much fun because he just looked so crazy. I had woken up with a big headache and the desire to get back in bed under those nice warm covers. But the moment he jumped up, I felt instantly better and was smiling by the end. Animals just have the ability to change your mood  that way.

TIP FOR THE DAY: take a moment to giggle at or interact with an animal. Whether it is your pet at home, or looking online at funny cat videos. I know looking at Ninja Chipmunk vs. Cat or Surprised Kitty 
always makes me smile. But icanhascheezburger.com/ and ihasahotdog.com/ always makes me smile. So have fun grown ups! Take a moment to pet or laugh at an animal. It'll make ya smile, I swears!

AND DON'T FORGET TO PLAY!!!

Tip for grownups #1 What is "Play"?

Hi. What is "play"? Kids and grown ups have two very different definitions. For grown ups, playing is going out for the night, spending lots of money, maybe getting drunk with some friends, having a frisky weekend with that special someone, etc. You type in "Adult Play" in google and you get a bunch of sexy sites and role play costumes. 

 

But for kids, play could mean any number of a hundred or more different things. Playing could be going outside and having a game of tag with their friends. Play could be building the tallest skyscraper in the world out of Legos. Play could just simply be going outside and watching the clouds  and seeing what shapes there are. 

(Picture thanks to pbskids.org)

When was the last time you did any of this?!

This is what my blog is going to be about. This is going to be a series of tips and stories for adults and "PLAY!"

Something I like to do every day,  during my lunch break from my basic 9-5 in front of a computer job where almost everyone around me still gossips like they are in High School, is I like to go for a walk. I walk in the sunshine with my mp3 player playing some of my favorite upbeat-singing-and-dancing music and I eat my lunch as I walk. I don't even think about the people around me or if I look like a doofus. Because they don't matter. They don't know me, I don't know them. So I walk, I eat my lunch, and if the mood so strikes, I dance. I sing. For that half hour in the sun, I revel in the fact that for this moment I am not worrying about what outfit I wore to work and I just dance.

TIP FOR THE DAY:  Take 30 minutes in your day to just listen to some of your favorite music and just dance.  Even if you don't know any dance moves, just let your body move to the music in any way you feel. Don't worry about who is around you, don't worry about what others think because the people who care don't matter and the people who matter don't care. They might even join you. It'll improve your day, I swear! Let those pesky inhibitions go, don't even worry about getting drunk to let them go. Just let loose!! Even if it's just in your living room, your bed room, where no one can see. OR even in the middle of a crowded street. So take the time to dance a little today. You'll feel better!!

AND REMEMBER TO PLAY!! ;-)