Dance like no one is watching

We all need to laugh more. This is a key element of success when it comes to business, the universe and life in general. Laughter is food for the soul. It gives one perspective. And in an era filled with incredible anxiety and uncertainty, perspective, and laughter, are needed more than ever before. Especially in the world of business.

I remember that famous saying that goes: Dance like no one is watching. Love like you have never been hurt. And work like you don’t need the money. Well, we should add to that: laugh like it could be your last breathe. Because when you laugh like this you breathe more peacefully afterwards and you see things clearly. And laughter is just what the doctor ordered this fine winter.

You know, about a decade or so ago we never had call waiting, and call forwarding, and cellphones, and voice mail, and e-mail, and I could go and on. We never had all this stuff; and we survived. Actually, we did more than survive – we laughed, and we celebrated life. Have people got more to say these days or something? What is it?!? My opinion is that we actually have less to say these days; and we spend more time saying it. Go figure. It’s the progress paradox. This is pure quality VS quantity dynamics at play. One has to laugh. I mean, people are calling each other, and faxing, and e-mailing to discuss who did what on some stupid reality TV show. I have never watched nonsense like Big Brother, for example. But so many people used to talk about it. I have my own big brother, and his name is Alon. And he is far more interesting than a TV program. And we don’t need cellphones and e-mail and voice-mail to communicate. We get together, and we share ideas, and we laugh.

Laughter is what gets us fired up. Laughter is what inspires us. Laughter feeds our passion for life. And for adventure. Laughter is good for business. And the laughing business … oops, I am getting a bit carried away here. It’s probably because, of late, I have been exposed to some brilliant new people, whose business is making people laugh.

In a world where everyone is taking everything way to serious, the only thing more dangerous than failure, is success. Seriously, I have met so many rich, young people in my life, and I must tell you, I prefer the older folk. At least they know how to laugh. Stop taking yourselves so seriously, ok! And lighten up will you. Stop analyzing everything. Tolstoy once wrote, “The more we live by our intellect, the less we understand the meaning of life.” I love Leos. They always hit the nail right on the head.

Someone called me once, after reading an article I had written for a newspaper, and asked me what kind of model I followed. I was very flattered by the kind words this person used but I was a bit confused by the question that was asked. I have never prescribed to any model. The only thing I have always tried to do is listen to my heart. You see, my heart can’t take cellphone calls. My head does that. So, my heart has lots of time to do what it needs to do. And my head is along for the ride. And on this journey the two conspire to make people laugh. I hope this makes sense. And just in case, I have a good line I found for all you cynics out there. If anything, it will make you laugh. Take it away Emo Phillips, “When I was young I used to pray for a bike. Then I realized that God doesn't work that way, so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.”

So, speaking of laughter and dancing, let’s enjoy this weekend as I leave you with a funny story I got from my Rabbi. So, a modern Orthodox Jewish couple, preparing for their religious wedding, meets with their rabbi for counseling. The rabbi asks if they have any last questions before they leave. The man asks, "Rabbi, we realize it's tradition for men to dance with men, and women to dance with women at the reception, but, we'd like your permission to dance together." "Absolutely not," says the rabbi. "It's immodest. Men and women always dance separately." "So after the ceremony I can't even dance with my own wife?" "No!" answered the rabbi. "It's absolutely forbidden." "Well, okay," says the man. "What about sex? Can we finally have sex?" "Of course!" replies the rabbi. "Sex is a mitzvah within marriage, to have children." "What about different positions?" asks the man. "No problem," says the rabbi. "It's a mitzvah." "With the woman on top?" the man asks. "Sure," says the rabbi. "Go for it! It's a mitzvah." "Can we do it doggy style?" "Sure! Another mitzvah." "On the kitchen table?" "Yes, yes! A mitzvah!" "Can we do it on rubber sheets with mirrors on the ceiling, a bottle of hot oil, a vibrator, a leather whip, a bucket of honey and a porno video?" "You may indeed. It's all a mitzvah." "Can we do it standing up?" "No, No, No!" cries the Rabbi. "Absolutely never standing up!" "Why not?" asks the man. "Could lead to dancing."

Posted by Ronnie Apteker