Don't ever wish away time. That's some advice a nursing home social worker gave herself during one of my speaking programs the other day. I'd asked the audience to imagine having an opportunity to sit bedside with their 99-year-old self. What advice would they receive from their more wise and experienced mentor? After giving them a few moments to reflect, I invited them to share. That's when one woman advised, "Don't ever wish away time." What a great piece of advice. And yet we do it all the time, don't we? …
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Top 10 Old School Autumn Activities – EA Show #42
With doom and gloom hogging the headlines, perhaps you're longing for simpler times, when things didn't seem to be so crazy. As the summer fades into fall, now is the perfect time to get back to basics and create some lasting memories with the people you love. We've put together a list of 10 "old school" autumn activities that are not only cheap, but will bring you back to childhood. Share Your Thoughts... What do you think about this week's prescription? What's your favorite autumn activity? We'd love to hear from you -- and might even feature you in an upcoming show (we've even been …
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The Right Way to Tackle Life, Brought To You By a Nine-Month-Old
Lucy is mobile. She rolls, scoots, crawls, and pulls herself up on things. I'm considering taping my eyelids open because I know that if I blink, she'll suddenly be walking, running, and asking for the car keys. I'm certain the little jet setter has cried more times in the last four weeks than she did in her first seven months of life -- and 95% of it is all her own doing. (I'll chalk the remaining 5% up to her footie pajamas that make the kitchen floors more slippery and treacherous.) Curiosity is what drives her. She's always looking around, exploring, and discovering new things. In her …
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Would Anyone Want Your Autograph?
I remember practicing my autograph when I was in the seventh grade. I filled up the margins of notebooks (most of them math, I'd guess) with my official John Hancock. It looked nothing like how Mrs. Smith expected me to sign my book reports: straight with neat loops and perfectly spaced letters. I had determined early on that if it was legible, it wasn't a real autograph. I must admit that I did wonder why professional athletes couldn't do a better job of writing their name. Some of them just wrote their first and last initials followed by nothing more than lines. It seemed rather …
The Most Overlooked Ingredient to a Happy Life
Is there a silver bullet to instant happiness? Yes, and it's an idea that I would hazard to guess wouldn't even be on your radar. Drum roll please... Fake laughter (aka practicing laughter). Yes, you read that right, I said "fake." Doesn't fake laughter usually have a negative connotation? I'm sure you've heard of the many benefits of real laughter in your life, like boosting the 'ol immune system, bringing you more energy, lower levels of pain, and protecting you from the dreaded Adultitis, which leaves you a stressed-out mess. But, did you know that fake laughter brings you the …
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You’re Not Keeping Up With The Joneses. Or Are You?
It's summer, but I have to keep reminding myself that school is out. Because I don't see any kids. Not during the day, at least. It's eerily quiet. I suppose they are all probably inside playing Wii, or more likely, off at some day care center. It's a shame, if you ask me. For most of the kids in my generation and the ones before, summertime was enjoyed outdoors. At home and around the neighborhood. My brothers and I spent our summer days in and out of the kiddie pool and sandbox (resulting in a wet sandbox and a sandy pool). With a tennis ball, a pitchback, and a few slabs of square …
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Escape Event #4: Laugh Flash
The countdown is on to the first Madison-area Escape Event. We've had Escape Events in the past but this is the first one the local Cheeseheads can attend in person to fight off that dreaded Adultitis that keeps lurking in the shadows. We're very exited because us folks at Kim & Jason are joining forces with fellow Wisconsin blogger Lance Ekum of The Jungle of Life to host this Escape Event right here in Madison, during the Farmer's Market on the Capital Square, Saturday, August 22, 11:00- 11:15am. …
What Watching Fireflies Can Teach You About Your Level of Adultitis
The other night I was sitting in the backyard with my daughter Lucy. We were watching fireflies, aka lightning bugs. I tried catching one so she could see one up close, but chasing down a firefly in the dark with one hand while holding a baby in the other proved trickier than expected. Deciding to just take in the scene, we sat on the deck and watched them go about their evening routine. Questions started popping into my head. What makes them glow? What purpose does the glowing serve, anyway? And where do they go during the day? After putting Lucy to bed, I decided I was going to do a …
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A Small Solution to the Biggest Problems
It seems as if bad news is everywhere. Apparently, the media gets their jollies on reporting factory closings and the rising unemployment rate. I think the coming "apocalypse" is a bit overstated, but the fact remains: lots of people are suffering. The American government is in fixer mode these days, throwing billions (trillions!) of dollars bailing out poorly run, mismanaged companies faster than the Flash after a double espresso. I just wish someone would tell them to save our money, because none of it is working. It's an innate instinct, I suppose. We want to help everyone who is …
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How To Take Water Balloon Warfare to the Next Level – EA Show #34
Summertime brings the heat. One of the best -- and most childlike -- ways to cool off on a hot day is via the humble water balloon. On this week's show, we give you an idea for taking your water balloon warfare to the next level. Share Your Thoughts... Are you childlike enough to try this week's prescription? We'd love to hear from you -- and might even feature you in an upcoming show (we've even been known to give out prizes as well!) Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send 'em to eashow@kimandjason.com | …
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