OK… so you’re having one of those “sunshine, lollipops & roses” kind of days and someone pops up who isn’t having the same kind of experience. They could be your customer, client, a family member or even a friend. They just aren’t having the type of day you are and they end up “barking” at you. What do you do? The first thought may be to respond in kind, to bark back then go on the defensive.

So, you ask, what would be the appropriate, heart-centered way to approach this? What response would be most effective? The easiest way I’ve found to dis-arm someone and help shift them up to another, more positive vibration is through the use of humor.

I grew up in a generation where humor was everything. We laughed when we had lunch with Soupy Sales, chuckled with Milton Berle and “loved” Lucy. My Dad had a good sense of humor and delighted in telling jokes to everyone that came to visit. Humor helped me overcome terrible shyness in school and provided a joyous coping mechanism that sustained me through some difficult times. I believe the Universe gifted me with an extraordinary sense of humor that serves me well to this day. Funny things, circumstances and people always seem to find me.

I read an article recently about a different type of yoga, laughter yoga. Now that’s my kind of yoga! This is very popular in Europe and is catching on in the US. Scientific studies show that hearty laughter offers a wide range of beneficial effects on our mental and physical health. This form of yoga combines laughter with yogic breathing exercises to provide one-hour workout sessions that include 30 minutes of laughter.

Laughter is especially important for people who are stressed as it can undo much of the damage caused by stress. I recall hearing about a medical doctor many years ago who prescribed watching 3 Stooges movies and other comedies to his critically ill patients. He discovered that, in addition to their spirits being uplifted, they were experiencing less pain and actually getting better. Laughter truly is the best medicine!

So, when you find yourself starting to slip over into knee-jerk city when confronted by a person having a bad day, my suggestion would be to try and find the humor in the whole situation. You may not be able to, in that moment, uplift and empower the person, but you will make yourself feel better inside. And, ultimately, that is the only way we can truly help inspire one another… is by being the best example we can. The motto I use, from my dear friend Abraham is “get happy and stay happy!”

A good lesson I’m learning is through a wonderful new addition to my family. Yep, I recently became a “mom,” (and just in time for Mother’s Day!) The new baby is a soft, fluffy ball of delight. “Boo” is a 4 month old Yorkiepoo. He is a reminder to me every day to stay in the moment, be joyful and have fun. I’m discovering, after decades of being pet-less due to severe allergies, what a magnificent example of unconditional love a little being like Boo is. He is responding well to simple commands like Sit, Down and Want to go Out? This cute furry little guru is enhancing my understanding of how to live life fully and even how to work with others. Our friend Alan Cohen obviously came to the same conclusion. He even wrote a book about it, Are You As Happy As Your Dog? Hmmm, good question! Some day, I might write a sequel and title it, Is Your Dog As Happy As You?

So, the next time a curmudgeon ends up being in your experience, take a lesson from my furry friend and give them a puppy-response… “be nice, don’t bite!”