humour is a powerful force for changing perceptions, mood, and emotional reactions. developing a sense of humour about yourself and life's situations can help redirect your emotional response. although research is still quite limited, prelimary studies suggest that humour may change moods that produce changes in the body chemistry that promote healing. in pain, humour is reported to be a cognitive techique for increasing pain tolerance. we should use humour to separate the truly threatening from what's not truly threatening. learn to laugh at the day-to-day things and reserve seriousness for what is really tragic, coz we tend to blow things out of proportion.

for example, how often is something in the workplace truly tragic? yes, there have been serious and tragic incidences of workplace violence. but i'm toking about everyday incidents that people react to in a way that suggests disaster. too many people spend a dollar's worth of energy on a situation that is worth about a penny. if you look at the light side, find something humorous about your reaction, you may find that life is just easier.

we can allow humour to shed light on our shortcomings. and we must admit that sometimes our shortcomings and mistakes are downright hilarious. if we could just look from afar with a playful heart, we would see that at times we are truly ridiculous. sometimes, we are the most ridiculous when trying to be the most serious. step back and appreciate the humour of you. read the comics section in the newspaper, watch the lastest TV sitcom, or go to the movies. Laugh. identify with the characters. where can you see youself? which cartoon character exemplifies you at your most absurd? where can you laugh at yourself? the ability to laugh at our shortcomings and mistakes makes our spirit light. in lightness we can dance to greater height.

use humour as a way to redirect your thinking and to divert your potential hijacking. it's fun and harmless. people who attain this ability to laugh at themselves actually feel a greater sense of control of their lives, and when they feel this control, they are able to take responsibility. remember, the humour should be directed at you or at the situation that you find yourself in, not someone else. if not just imagine humour as private jokes within yourself. be sure they stay confined in the head.

1st, breathe. the techique is to close your mouth and count to eight while breathing in slowly and deeply through your nose. take your breath all the way down to your belly. place your hand on your belly and feel it expand like a balloon. gently let the air out through your mouth. repeat at least ten times.

2nd, there should be some physical movemen that you immediately can revert to as you breathe. examples include taking a long sip of coffee, removing glasses, adjusting your tie, getting up and stretching, or consciously shifting your body weight.

3rd, you should have a mantra that you can recite while breathing and performing the physical movement. that mantra should be uniquely yours and should be something that helps you shift your thoughts and gain perspective. "it's okay" "smilez" "are you willing to die for it?" are some examples of mantras. whatever your risk, whether it be anger or fear or some other emotions that hold you back from living your intentions, having a well-thought-out mantra will get you through some difficult moments.

the simple actions make up this step "Pause", a deep long breath, a shift in your physical movement, and a mantra, should be practiced and rehearsed until you can instantly revert to this pattern.