The Joy of Graciousness

Today we are taking a closer look at graciousness, number six on Mr. Hewitt's list of happy people traits. The root of the word, gracious, is defined as "marked by kindness and courtesy". Wouldn't it be grand if gracious people were marked with a lovely, calligraphy scripted G on their sweater? Kind of like a monogram but alas, as we know, branding people is usually inaccurate and well, one dimensional, which humans are not. Think Hester Prynne from The Scarlett Letter. 

Here is a secret. I am addicted to gracious people. Why? Because gracious people always leave you feeling better when you depart their company. Here are a few things gracious people do:

• Listens to others more than speak about self
• Is humble with accomplishments and praises others' efforts easily
• Does not embarrass deliberately and intentionally 
• Genuinely thankful for even the tiniest gesture
• Pays attention to others and remembers details of their life/conversation
• Thinks through their words before they speak aloud
• Has a knack for making people feel comfortable and appreciated
• Consistently recognizes the good in others

I am always amazed by people who remember the tiniest details I may have quickly shared in a conversation. Or the fact that they will remember my children's names or maybe that I once lived on the Outer Banks. "Did you ever get a milkshake from John's?" they might ask and we quickly reminisce and long for the best cold, creamy concoctions located on the old beach road. Gracious people are usually huggers. I love huggers. Gracious people tend to make you feel like the smartest person in the room. Gracious people smile. A lot. Rarely do they complain. And if they complain, they tend to provide a solution and then quickly ask for your opinion on the matter. They are considerate, find beauty in the distorted, laugh heartily and empathize easily, provide hope with their actions and give you the confidence to believe in yourself. 
Anne Frank wrote, "In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.".    Scribbled in her journal, were thoughts and observations of a young teenager trapped in a secret annex for two, long years. She could not go with friends to enjoy ice cream on a beautiful summer evening. She could not dance in a gym with a boy while her girlfriends watched and giggled. She could not shop for the latest fashions. She could not feel grass between her toes. She could not smell the change of the seasons. All because she was Jewish and in certain parts of Europe, religious associations would cost you your life. Anne could have been a very angry, obstinate teenager full of hate and rage but she made a choice to do otherwise. When you read her diary, "kindness and courtesy" remain a pretty consistent and surprising theme. Anne Frank is an exceptional study of defining graciousness and a constant reminder that the little things do matter in a big, big way. 
Graciousness, like encouragement, is a gift we like to give and receive. I have mentioned this sentiment before. These traits make us better people and make others better, too. Yes, some are born with grace like personalities, but more often this is a learned practice. Grandparents are usually gracious beings. And thank goodness our children have exposure to those ears and hearts that love to hear the same story countless times, that always ask questions with earnest interest, that make our children feel like the most special beings in the world and always have a smile and a hug waiting to be delivered. Good gracious...we can learn a lot from a young girl who died early, tragically and unnecessarily and from those who walk among us, humbly, thankfully, joyfully and graciously. Study well. Study often. And remember, practice makes perfect. 
For more inspirational quotes from Anne Frank, you may visit this link: https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/3720.Anne_Frank. Better yet, read her book, The Diary of Anne Frank. 

We Interrupt our Regularly Scheduled Blog....

Last week I received a reminder that we are a compassionate and joyful people. And while I can write words detailing examples of said acts, I humbly turn over my blog today to a video (sent to me from my Mom) that speaks a thousand words. Even if you are not a football fan, please keep watching...this play may change your mind about the football player stereotype.  Go Team!

http://youtu.be/0Ejh_hb15Fc

We now return to our regularly scheduled blogging.....um, tomorrow. Enjoy and feel free to share today's message.

The Joy of Good Humor

"Whatever else an American believes or disbelieves about himself, he is absolutely sure he has a sense of humor." E.B. White 

Humor is our common ground. I have yet to meet a person who does not enjoy a good laugh. Sure, I have met people who do not laugh often, but perhaps they savor humor as others savor a finely aged cheese. And I have encountered people who have the ability to laugh at everything and anything, including themselves. And I have watched humor dissolve a tense situation as deftly as an explosive specialist. And I have watched a grumpy toddler turn into a giggle monster with one silly word. Laughter, as they say, is the best medicine.
Laughter reduces tension in your whole body. Studies show it boosts your immune system, protects your heart and releases endorphins to act as "feel good" chemicals in your body. Laughter chases away the blues and enables you to gain a new perspective to stressful situations. Humor acts as a cohesive bond within your social, family and work relationships. And two more positive things about humor: there are no serious side effects and it's 100% free!
Our family subscribed to Reader's Digest when I was growing up in Carroll County, MD. I so looked forward to the monthly arrival of this magazine because tucked in between the advertisements and feel good stories were hilarious jokes and stories from real people. I am pretty sure I wore my Dad's ear out as I hastily read about the poor sap who inadvertantly hurt his new bride's feelings over her cooking or the Sunday School teacher who had define virgin to a Kindergarten class or the compilations of excuses for missed assignments or work days. Humor in Uniform was one of my favorites because a Corporal was always going to out maneuver a Commander in Chief. I loved anything that challenged authority.
The comics are still my favorite part of any newspaper. I grew up with Calvin and Hobbs, Bloom County, Family Circle, Peanuts, Marmaduke, Doonesbury, Garfield, and Hagar the Horrible. I never understood why Mary Worth or Prince Valiant were included...they were not funny.
My Dad enjoyed watching 60 Minutes but I could not wait for the last five minutes when Andy Rooney would unleash his satirical observation of every day life. I longed to be the next Andy Rooney or Erma Bombeck. While my peers were reading Little House on the Prairie or Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret I was chuckling over The Grass is Always Greener Over the Septic Tank and If Life is a Bowl of Cherries, What Am I Doing in the Pits? Both figured out a way to put the laughter in serious situations and I miss their outlook terribly.
Laughter was always in our house. My Mom, my four Aunts, my Grandmom and my Great Aunt all have the same laugh. And I am sorry, no matter the horrendous, down in the dumps, no good, terrible, horrible day you were having, if they were laughing, you were laughing, too. A lot was forgiven over laughter. A lot of hurt was healed with laughter. And a lot of the best family memories are embedded with laughter. We even have a howler monkey story that has become a bit of a legend in our family history. But that story is for another day. People may not have always understood us, but they always laughed with us.
I am grateful my parents and brothers taught me to laugh freely at most situations. God and laughter will get you through life was a commonly heard quote in our house. Our family, like most families, have had their share of sorrow in our life story. And we mourn for a bit, but before we know it, someone is telling the story of when I earned the name Princess Pathfinder on our camping trips because I always managed to get lost in the campground. Or how Lou and Tom would be in opposite corners of the basement, pretend fighting, waiting for Mom to come barreling down the steps, followed by a "Sheesh!" when she discovered their shenanigans. Only to be repeated thirty minutes later. Or how the fireman asked my Mom if she ever saw a cat skeleton in a tree when our cat would not climb down. Or my Dad telling a joke so bad, only a child could double over in laughter at the sheer corniness of his words. His infectious laugh would carry through air, followed by a "Gotcha!". Oh, Dad, you silly ol' bear.
It makes perfect sense to me that good humor has made the happy people list. Without laughter, our lives would be dull indeed. And I would hate to go through one day without a hint of laughter. Dreadful, I say. Simply dreadful. So my simple advice for today is to take two heaping spoonfuls of good humor and then call me in the morning so we can share a laugh together. See you in the funny papers!

The Joy of Empathy

When I began doing a little research on the importance of empathy, I was thinking I would find lots of articles on why empathy is important in social relationships but what I discovered made me tilt my head like a puppy that doesn't quite understand his human's command. Companies are paying big bucks to figure out how to bring empathy not into their work force, but into their business model. They are trying to figure out how to connect with their customers. Huh? And then I sat for a while and thought, "Laura, clearly you are not being very empathetic right now." And then I thought some more and it started to make sense.
The companies that are the most successful KNOW their customer. Steve Jobs was noted as knowing what customers wanted before they did. Neiman Marcus is the pinnacle of customer service relations. Disney continues to be a huge draw for families both with movies and amusement parks. Think about where you shop and why you continue to shop at a certain store, even if the location is not convenient. For me, I have probably fifteen grocery stores within a 10-mile radius but I will still go a bit further to get to Trader Joe's because they seem "to get me'. The employees are always happy. The prices are reasonable and the food selection for my family is great. And I always leave Trader Joe's in a better mood than when I entered. I don't know any other retail chain that can do that....for me.
One article I read explained that a certain automobile company was worried they were losing their share in the luxury car market. So they holed up in a posh San Francisco resort and began planning on how to win back their fare share. A consultant asked, "Who is your customer and what do they want?". Shockingly, the executives had no idea. So, they were given a task. Spend 30 minutes interviewing people from your customer base. Grudgingly, the businessmen complied. When they returned, the consultant gave them each $50 and told them to go shopping for a gift for the person they just interviewed. One man purchased a bright red fanny pack for his twenty-something person. Gift not well received. Others purchased knick knacks from around the Bay Area. "Why," they were asked, "would you buy memorabilia for someone who lives here?". "Seemed good" was the reply. But one group bought an entrepreneurial book and tucked the remaining $20 in the front flap. Why? Because their gentleman wanted to get out of his tech job and start his own business. 
Empathy is a hard concept for a lot of people to understand but it's a very important word. To understand the wants and needs of another person is crucial in every aspect of our lives. And something that is lacking in our world. We seem to be a bit more inward thinking than outward. More individualistic and less communal.
Successful leaders have this quality. Good friends have this quality. Outstanding doctors, nurses, police officers, teachers or firefighters have this quality. Military personnel usually have more empathy than most civilians. Empathy is one of the most selfless acts and probably the hardest to show on the list of seven happy people traits.
I am learning to be more empathetic with certain things. And I am trying to find resolutions to problems instead of complaining...perhaps that is the empathy peeking through. But I will admit...being empathetic is a daily struggle. But I do know I feel happier when I connect with someone through a shared understanding of a certain emotion, be it happy, sad or somewhere in the middle. And isn't that what most of us want on some level? To make a connection? To be understood? For someone to just "get it"?
I read a great quote the other day: "I'm a strong person, but every once in a while, I would like someone to take my hand and tell me that everything's going to be alright." Just so you know, I'm here with hands wide open.

The Joy of Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm. Passion. Fire. Hurrah. Zeal. Fervor. Wow. Pretty descriptive adjectives for the third word on Mr. Hewitt's list. When I hear enthusiasm, two words pop into my head: puppies and children. These creatures are enthusiastic about everything except sleep. Have you ever seen a puppy around a freshly filled bowl of food? Or a child attack a cupcake? The great outdoors is greeted with an unbridled passion that adults can only conger in their heads. Eyes bright and big, faces beaming, legs in full throttle, trying hard to get enough traction to propel them forward into an unknown but greatly anticipated adventure. And absolutely no clue where they are headed, but boy oh boy is it going to be fun! What a wonderful way to start any day.
I tend to be enthusiastic about a few things: friends/family coming to visit, beach trips, Christmas, East Carolina University, watching my children in their various activities, the first snowfall, TexMex food and a really good book. But, I cannot say I have been enthusiastic about my day to day life but I began working on changing my outlook. And wishing I would have listened to the advice given often and freely by many mentors: find your passion and follow it; the rest will take care of itself. I remember thinking, "Duh!" and then toddling off to my next great idea that would bring me great joy and an even greater paycheck. Neither of which came to fruition because I was not following the path of my given gift. And while I may have been enthusiastic in the beginning, the fire would soon wane and I would be idly daydreaming once again. And getting annoyed by the incredibly happy person sitting next to me. 
This past fall, when the children started school, David headed to work and I was left with the haunting silence of a house without pets, I began to examine parts of my life. I reflected back to my childhood and thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I read magazine articles detailing steps to finding your dream job. I researched how I could fit rewarding work into our family life that is happy and stable. I took long walks without my iPod. I studied the Bible  and watched the the ones around me who were content with their existence. And I bounced ideas off of David. And slowly but surely, I noticed enthusiasm was creeping into my mornings. An uninvited yet welcomed guest who I hope is unpacking her bags to set up residence permanently. I noticed I was excited about tutoring on Thursdays. I was actually enjoying spending time in the Elementary School office, making copies and chatting with Sandy, the enthusiastic and amazing front desk receptionist. I was giddy about cooking for my family. I could not wait for Wednesday mornings when I would gather with my Discipleship group to discuss religion, life and some of the best recipes that have ever landed on my taste buds.  And "Whoa, Nelly!" I was enjoying laundry! The simple act of folding and piling freshly washed clothing was bringing me joy and I thought I had been transported to another universe. 
And I was writing. Not for anyone in particular. And not for any real purpose. But I was starting to realize ideas were bubbling, constant and rapidly. And I was starting to sense God was talking to me, quietly and gently, leading me back to what I wanted to do as a child. Write. And be a Mom.  So, here I sit in front of our iPad, candles lit, music playing in the background, children reading to one another and my words flowing, uninterrupted onto a blank page. And I realize I am once again excited for tomorrow, wondering what new adventure will unfold and where my unknown path will lead me. My eyes big and bright. My face beaming and my legs, probably not in full throttle, but moving forward, happily, joyfully, enthusiastically. Hurrah!

The Joy of Energy

Energy. My Mom has TONS of the stuff. My daughter and my Mom share the same gene, one that clearly has skipped a generation. I sit in awe watching them check things off their list, zooming from activity to activity and usually completing these things with a big ol' smile pasted on their face. I honestly get tired watching them. After all, I am Queen of the Nappers. But I am honestly a bit jealous, too. Quite often I tell my Mother-in-Law I want to bottle just 10% percent of their energy. She smiles and nods in agreement, as her eyes twinkle and I can tell for a moment she is stepping back in time surrounded by three busy children of her own. Evidently, my husband David had a hard time depleting his energy source as a a child. My brother-in-law and sister-in-law quickly back this fact up with numerous humorous stories. And here is what I have learned: energy begets energy. The more energy you spend, the more energy comes back to you. The higher the energy level, the more productive you become in your life. The more productive you are, the happier you are....ah ha! Here we are again with Mr. Hewitt's list.
I have seen this very thing occur in my own life. If I do not have a tentative schedule, I tend to get very sloth like. I move VERY slowly. After everyone leaves the house during the week, I like to start my day with a hot cup of coffee and a morning news show (I am a closet political junkie which does not always equal happy). I tend to think I am actually ON the show and chime in my take on the latest political rumblings. If I am not careful, this can stretch into lunchtime and then I realize I only have a little bit of time before the kids come home, so I might as well just see what else is on the boob tube. ICK!!!! And then I wonder why I am tired, listless and probably a bit grouchy. Hello. Sloth alert.
So, this year I have made a few changes to my daily habits. I still have my hot cup of coffee with the talking heads of political TV, but now I turn the TV off at 8am and begin my day. And I have a list of things I attempt to accomplish daily such as writing my blog, excercising, my daily devotional, writing in my gratitude journal and drinking a green smoothie. The last one is a 30-day challenge I discovered while perusing the Internet the weekend between Christmas and New Year's Day. I needed an extra "umph" in the afternoon and after doing a bit of research, I thought a healthy eating shake up might be a good challenge (much better than the half-marathon challenge last year :)). So each afternoon, when the kids come home from school, they have their snack and I drink my green smoothie of spinach or kale, almond milk or water and a couple cups of diced fruit. Yes, my children make comments about the gross looking drink and I think are grateful they only have to taste the latest challenge in Mommy's life, but they are also encouraging me in my current goal. And I have to say I am noticing a difference. My eyes are brighter, my skin is glowing, I am more selective with my eating choices and my energy level is up! And guess what? I am way more productive and I am happier. Coincidence? I think not. I am also contemplating branching out into unchartered territory for me, considering possibilities and thinking, "Yeah! I can do that!". As my Grandfather used to say, "It is easier to accept failure if you try and fail than never attempting at all.". He was a smart man with lots of energy and happiness to share. And he did. Freely and often.
There are always lots of articles and talk show segments telling you how to get extra energy. Excercise and eating healthy have always been on the list and I agree. Natural foods will always be a better choice than processed items. Fruits and veggies keep you fuller, longer. Excercise in any form reduces your heart rate, relieves stress, whittles fat from your midsection (which is the most dangerous place for fat to gather) and quite frankly, just makes you feel so darn good. The combination of good eating habits and excercise truly are the best ways to get long term, steady, productive, strong energy. There are no short cuts but the outcome is well worth the spent energy. So, maybe today, when Anna and Josh come home with energy to share, instead of watching in amazement, I will join in this whir of motion, with a smile etched upon my face. Energy in motion is a joyful moment indeed. 

PS if you want to learn more about the 30- day Green Smoothie Challenge, please check out this link. 
http://simplegreensmoothies.com/30-day-challenge
You might be pleasantly surprised at the taste for most of the recipes :). Cheers!

The Joy of Encouragement

"Encouragement (noun): the act of encouraging; the state of being encouraged." (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.). I suppose MW is encouraging me to further read their book and go up one word to encourage which is defined as "to inspire with courage, spirit or hope: HEARTEN." (ibid). Encouragement is something we both like to give and receive. Either way we use encouragement, we are going to feel good about ourselves. I have had a truckload of people who have inspired me through my life: family members, friends, coaches, co-workers, bosses, strangers, teachers, professors, authors, athletes, musicians, the list is endless. And I hope through the years I have encouraged a few people to try something that is out of their comfort zone or at least, perhaps I have made a moment in their day a little brighter.
A few years ago, when we were moving from Austin to Cary, a friend of mine gave me a book called, "Have you Filled a Bucket Today? A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids" by Carol McCloud. I have a teeny tiny problem with the title and I am surprised the editor did not catch the oversight. The second part of the title should read "....for People" because every word speaks to the heart of everyone and anyone. The book tells of an invisible bucket we all carry around with "its purpose is to hold your good thoughts and feelings about yourself.". Sometimes your bucket is overflowing with happiness and sometimes your bucket is bone dry. Sometimes people say good things to you, lifting you up, inspiring you to achieve and off you go skipping and whistling down the street with your bucket. This in turn will make you want to fill someone else's bucket by giving someone a compliment, writing a note, spending time with a new friend or just saying hi with a smile. Buckets are overflowing and life is good. 
But then come those bucket dippers and boy these people can quickly suck the joy right out of you. Who invited them to our beach party? "Go away!" you say, clinging tightly to your depleting happy bucket. And all of a sudden, you are feeling sad, depressed and looking for someone to fill your bucket. Truth is, the bucket dipper wants some of your happy and guess what? You have plenty to share. So go ahead...encourage the bucket dipper to be a better person. You might ask questions about their day. You might compliment them on their hair, their eyes, clothes they are wearing or maybe something they did that day that was kind of extraordinary. The next thing you know, two buckets are overflowing and off you go to invite more people to your party. 
Sometimes, though, your bucket is going to run on empty. Everyone's does and that's ok. Life is not always "rainbows and unicorns" and quite frankly, I am a little grateful it isn't. I am sure there is a person in your life who always has a good word to say, a funny story or just a big ol' smile. Reach out and ask for a drop in the bucket. We need as much as we give.
I really like the last few sentences McCloud writes toward the end of her book. "So why not decide to be a bucket filler today and every day? Just start each day by saying to yourself, 'I'm going to do something to fill someone's bucket today.' And at the end of each day, ask yourself, 'Did I fill a bucket today?' 'Yes I did!' That's the life of a bucket filler...and that's YOU!". I encourage you today to spread your sunshine around and warm a heart. And the funny thing is, you'll notice your heart is a little warmer, too.
And remember, don't be a dipper unless you're serving ice cream!

The Joy of Happy People

Last week I watched a segment on a morning news show that highlighted a new book authored by radio personality, Hugh Hewitt titled, "The Happiest Life: Seven Gifts, Seven Givers, and the Secret to Genuine Success". Mr. Hewitt was such a delightful guest that he has intrigued me to take a look at his book and I plan on downloading a copy soon. Hewitt stated the place to start is generosity and the rest will follow, enriching not only your life, but those around you as well. I like this concept, A LOT! Isn't happiness what most people crave in their life and have for centuries? I hear a lot of people mention happy on their resolution list but the truth is, happiness is a decision people make every day when they wake up. And I am guessing Mr. Hewitt knows that, too. But he gently suggests that people take a look at these seven attributes as a way of letting happiness into your every day life. True, there are going to be people who derail you off the happy train for a stop or two, but your attitude can easily make you a passenger once again. Being happy 100% of the time is an impossible goal (and I think it's important to look at what is causing the unhappiness, yet be careful not to dwell), but I think looking for a majority of happy is completely attainable.
Here is the list Mr. Hewitt mentioned on Friday:
encouragement
energy
enthusiasm
empathy 
good humor
graciousness
gratitude
Did you notice something missing on this list? I did. Immediately. Wealth. Perhaps these are attributes of some wealthy people you know, but to me this list transcends race, economic standing, religious affiliation, political leanings, age, gender...well, this list transcends everything and why I think I am so drawn to his perception of happy people. And I thought of the happy people I know and yup, they have these traits, indubitably (Do you know how long I have been wanting to use that word in my post? I love to say it, with a British accent of course. Go ahead, try it. I guarantee you will smile!).
The other thought that popped into my head as I listened to Mr. Hewitt is that most children seem to have these traits. If you have spent anytime around children whether in a classroom, on a playground, in a social setting, or just watching your own, these adjectives are going to make their way to the forefront at some point in your observation. The next time you walk past a playground, just take a few minutes and I think you might be amazed at how quickly you will see the happiness factor surrounding you. 
This past Saturday, Josh and I watched Anna play her first basketball game of the season. Josh was very excited to watch his big sister in action and even more excited that her team won. It's a little easier to be happy when you have success. But, what I walked away with was all seven of these characteristics were checked off by both teams. Of course, they had high energy level - that is kind of a given with children. But they encouraged each other, kindly and often. They showed empathy when a girl was injured or if a teammate had an awkward moment in the game (there are a lot of these in a 9/10 year old girls basketball game). They laughed at their mistakes. They were gracious and grateful athletes, whether they won or lost. Most of the girls were just happy to spend a morning, dribbling a round ball up and down the court with their friends, celebrating the good moments and learning from the "oops" moments. And yes, screaming and high fiving when points lit up their side of the scoreboard. 
As always, I learn a lot from my children. And I am excited to spend the next few entries delving a little deeper into the words Mr. Hewitt has gleaned from his years studying happy people. Who in my mind, are the successful people of this world. Thank you, Mr. Hewitt, for putting a bit of joy in my day and also, the days ahead. "Shiny, Happy People" unite. See you in the funny pages!

The Joy of an Unexpected Nap

I felt tired this morning as I was preparing breakfast and packing lunches for our children. Not surprising as this culminates the end of a busy yet fun holiday season. But I was a bit more lagging in energy than usual. So, after the hugs and kisses were delivered, coats zipped, hats and mittens pulled on with much dismay and everyone departed the house, I decided to lie down on the couch. As I closed my eyes, I realized I had not even made my coffee yet. Egads! What was I thinking? I thought about getting up and then decided to stay put....for two more hours! I woke up disoriented, dazed and trying to get my bearings. Then I put my arms over my head, clasped my hands together, turned my palms up toward the sky and stretched like a sunning cat in a window. And then I smiled. I thanked God for an unexpected nap.
Truly, aren't naps one of the wonders of the world? We really should celebrate naps more than we do in the United States. Remember Robert Fulghum and his book "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"? (If you have not read this book, I encourage you to put this read on your 2014 list - http://www.amazon.com/Really-Need-Know-Learned-Kindergarten/dp/034546639X).  He bravely wrote, "Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk around 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap.". A simple, basic act that could bring normalcy back in our hurried, hectic lives. A few moments to recharge, let go, decompress, look at the world differently, with rested eyes and hearts. Somewhere along the line, someone decided naps were for the lazy and unmotivated person. Somewhere along the line, people accepted this as fact but somewhere along the line, an enlightened person disagreed and now naps are being heralded as part of a healthy lifestyle. According to The National Sleep Foundation, a short 20-30 minute nap will boost your energy without interfering with your nighttime sleep. Ok, so I may have a weeeee bit of trouble sleeping tonight, but I am telling you I am on fire this afternoon. My kids may not share my enthusiasm about my morning nap but at least we will have an interesting time finding ways to burn through my extra energy today.
Here are a few more reasons to indulge in a daily nap without feeling guilty:
1.) restores alertness
2.) prevents burnout
3.) heightens sensory perception
4.) reduces risk of heart disease
5.) you will be more productive and creative
Still not convinced? Here are a few people you may recognize who embraced the nap as part of their daily routine: Leonardo da Vinci, Napolean, Thomas Edison, Eleanor Roosevelt, Gene Autry, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, John D. Rockefeller, Winston Churchill, Lyndon B. Johnson and Ronald Reagan. A pretty impressive list, I think. And go ahead, add my name. That should be the clincher in persuading your boss to allow naps as part of the new and improved employee manual.
Do you remember the TV show Seinfeld? George made a napping place under his desk and I remember thinking he was brilliant. I also remember secretly wanting to create a siesta area in my cubicle and had conspired with co-workers on the possibility. We proved unsuccessful. However, our boss did install a meditation room for yoga, but it was right next to her office and no one used the space unless she was out of town. And I am pretty sure yoga was not the activity of choice since I was the one waking people up to go home. I am not sure how productive that space proved to be in the long run.
But I digress. I am a fan of naps. I have been since before Kindergarten. I have been known to excuse myself to "go read" for a bit and never finish a book. But I have never regretted a nap. A short nap. A long nap. A medium nap. A planned nap. An unexpected nap. I love them all and I hope, sometime this year, you discover the unfettered joy of an unexpected nap. After all, I am guessing improving your health is on your 2014 list of things to do. Well, by all means, at 3:00pm, enjoy a cookie with a glass of cold milk, grab your blankie and enjoy a good nap. It's the least you could do. Sweet dreams.