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Sample Issue:

THE DEFY AGING NEWSLETTER
A  biweekly  E-mail  newsletter  for  helping  people  live  longer,  healthier,  and  happier

ACTION TO TAKE

Identify an illness or injury you have had.
Imagine telling a humorous story or giving a
humorous speech about it.

WHY

   My friend Doug’s doctor performed a routine test
 and gave him a routine warning that there was
“always a chance of an infection.” A few days later
an ambulance took Doug to the emergency room
with a 106-degree temperature. He was in the hospital
four days and three nights.

    A few days after the hospital discharged him,
he gave a brilliant, humorous speech at our Toastmasters
(public speaking) club. He told us that, “Most people think
patients in the hospital are not productive citizens.
They are away from work and they are not achieving and
producing.”

    He held up a plastic urine receptacle with hash marks
to measure the cubic centimeters of urine production and said,
“Not true. We are productive.” “And our productivity is measurable
and is measured daily.” He explained how patients could compete
for who was most “productive.” The empty IV bags and
urine cc counts were like battle ribbons.      

   His days and nights had a constant drip of interruptions for
blood tests, medicines, new IV bags, vital signs, doctor visits,
etc. He set a goal of getting one hour of uninterrupted sleep.
Like a good manager he told all the nurses about his goal
in hopes they would help him achieve it. On the third night
he finally achieved his goal.

   His life threatening illness must have been frightening
to Doug and his family. Instead of brooding and catastrophizing,
however, he played with other perspectives, like thinking of 
being a patient as a competitive job? I am sure his humor and
perspective helped him recover faster.

   Many people would brood over such an event and tell
and retell horror stories. Doug, however, quickly put an
upbeat spin on his experiences. I greatly admire his attitude and ingenuity.  

   You can do the same thing Doug did. Think of a difficult illness
 or injury you have experienced. Imagine telling a funny story
or giving a humorous speech about it. It can help transform
that experience into a comical memory. It can be a template
for handling any future illnesses or injuries. It can also be a
template for helping friends and family deal with illness and injuries.

   People say, “Someday you will laugh about this.” Why wait? 

QUOTES

 "If you can't change the circumstances, change your perspective." --Unknown

 HUMOR

    When President Ronald Reagan was shot and about to enter surgery,
he quipped about the surgeons, "I hope they are all Republicans.”

    A Veterinarian became ill and went to her Doctor. The Doctor
took a lengthy history and asked lots of questions.
   The veterinarian complained, "I don't need to ask my patients these
endless questions, I can tell what's wrong just by looking. Why can't you?"
   The Doctor took a good look at his patient, quickly wrote a prescription,
and explained, “Of course, if this  doesn't work, we'll have to have you put to sleep.”

REPRINTING

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and attribution is given to:  “Michael Brickey, Ph.D.,
The Defy Aging Newsletter, free subscriptions at www.DrBrickey.com