Category : Character Strengths

Whirlwind Week ~ Strengths Scavenger Hunt!

Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:03 am

When was the last time you had a week, or 8 days, if you want to make it a
baker’s dozen, yummy whirlwind week? Did it feel like you ate too much?
Or did you belch out a pause, breathe, and eat a dynamite desert?

These last 8 days were mine! A strengths scavenger hunt! I may have bitten
off a bit too much, but I will start my rest diet tomorrow! It was seasoned
with savor! Days I wanted to “get there.” Days I wanted to get past; even
with all the savoring. Days of holding my breath, releasing agony and ecstasy,
chaos, joy, and sending over a 1,000 emails (no kidding!). Movin’ and shakin’
days that banged the drums to quite a lusty Cuban rhythm.

Best? I held hands with my team of players, without whom I would never have
been able to do the Happy Dance! And OK, I shed some tears along the way.
But I had arms holding onto me from here to Bethesda, MD (and all over the USA)
to Mexico, Hong Kong, Nepal, and to Australia. REAL LOVE I will never forget.

Appreciation of all YOUR kindnesses spread out to me like a BEST SELF
smörgåsbord. The support and generosity from caring family, friends, and
colleagues was overwhelming. You are ALL my family of the heart and soul.

Last week, I thanked you all and the universe for blessing my book with
bestselling Amazon rankings. THANK YOU!!!

This week, I thank all the women leaders of the Manitowoc chapter of
“Women in Management” for inviting me to speak to them. What a fantastic
network event! I am thrilled you loved hearing about Dr. Marty Seligman’s
PERMA (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and
Accomplishment). I cheered when you clapped appreciation after taking Dr. Ed
Diener’s “Happiness Quiz!” You are one happy bunch. I was thrilled so many of
you enjoyed the Cuban slide show and swayed to the salsa music. Special thanks
for all who bought my book, too.

Also, I smiled this week at your interest in my slide show presentation and book
signing at the Manitowoc Public Library. What a gorgeous facility. What a delight
to answer your terrific questions. It was a double dip of fun to see so many old
friends. As my dad would say, “It was like “Old Home Week!” And to be honest,
I choked back a happy smile seeing Ken and my name etched on the “Sponsor”
glass in the library entrance. Love of learning? Nothing better than a library!

The support staff at the Holiday Inn was super; as were the extremely
accommodating library staff. To see my book on out library book shelf in my
city was a humble thrill. I think it really was the first time it hit me,
“I wrote a book!” No kidding. (Sigh)

You bet I paused to savor. Staff told me there was a waiting list to read the
book. Wow! I am so grateful and again, humility course through my soul.

Most of all, I am grateful to my incredibly creative assistant, Melissa Lake. She is
my rudder when I head off to Rocky shores. And thanks to Annie Pfeffer, my dear
friend, who has attended every book signing event. Today when I teased her that
she was a glutton for punishment, she so sweetly told me, “But honestly, Judy,
I learn something new every time I come, so I keep coming!” How authentic and
charming. Thank you, awesome Annie.

Balance?
I still think it is a myth, but if you call me, and I don’t answer, or email and I am
not there, know that for the next couple days I will be in my garden for peace
and solitude. Letting it all sink in.

Thanks for sharing the cacophonous joy!

Please flash me an email and tell me about a joyful, whirlwind strengths
scavenger week you have had. I love to hear your amazing stories. So glad
you didn’t get blow away, either! Unless it was your mind that was blown,
just like mine!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Experience the amazing adventure in Cuba that set off this whirlwind!
Photo Adventures in Cuba ~ Unlock Your Power of Positivity!
Now a best-seller on Amazon ~ Kindle

I’d love to hear from you!
Just send me your questions, and I will answer in a future blog.
You can also connect with me on facebook, LinkedIn, or twitter
www.facebook.com/drjudykrings

Did I say Thank You?

Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:00 am

BREAKING NEWS! ~ Today is the Day!

With the most fantastic team at my back, my long anticipated, one-day
book launch is finally here. Yippee!

But a thought keeps coursing through my brain….Did I say THANK YOU enough?

As I sit here waiting in anticipation for my “Photo Adventures in Cuba” book
launch kick-off, it blows my mind when I comprehend my team of players.
To all of you – my family, friends, and colleagues, my steadfast virtual assistant,
Melissa Lake, my stellar first marketing coach, Judy Cullins, and my absolutely
amazing Amazon Book Coach who organized my butt, Denise Cassino, and the
80+ generous reviewers and bloggers who blasted out my promotional message…
YOU lovely folks have been the wings beneath my book launch wings. No flying to
success without each and every one of you. Your contagious excitement has
fueled my energy and wound my clock hopefully stopping at #1 bestseller.

Even if that achievement isn’t realized, you have all made this journey one I will
never forget. Living is learning and loving. And you and I have done both. That is
the real victory. We have won already.

I wonder, have I genuinely held you in my  heart, looked into your eyes and
blazed my intensely, heart-felt “Thank You?”  God knows I want you to have
my sincere gratitude forever tattooed into your  psyche. My book is YOUR book,
too, and  so is its success. I know I have emailed or said a quick “Thanks” when
corresponding along the way, but today is the day I hope  it is etched into your brain.

I wrote in my “Photo Adventures in Cuba” book’s Gratitude chapter, “Gratitude
is the joyful chorus in my life song, and my travels to Cuba helped me hit the
high notes.” I want you to know, you were in the front row of the chorus singing
along with me. And you really belted out a great song!

So, with my Gratitude strength shining through, I want to extend my big hugs
of THANK YOU to you who have offered guidance, support, and loving encour-
agement during this arduous, almost two year process. In the true spirit of
Perseverance and Teamwork, I could not have done this launch without you!

I want to continue giving thanks to all those who will make this book launch a
success. I have over 60 fantastic, free, bonus gifts for anyone purchasing my
book TODAY. Select a few or all of them, it’s up to you!

And if you would kindly continue your support and pass this special offer along to
your friends, family, and colleagues, I will be truly grateful! I hope you encourage
others to Zestfully rev up their Curiosity strength and savor my book, “Photo
Adventures in Cuba ~ Unlock Your Power of Positivity.” It’s just a click away!

CLICK to Travel and Explore Positive Cuba!

Remember Clint Eastwood’s famous line, “Go ahead…Make my day!”?
Well, please know you already have!

My gratitude, love, and deepest appreciation,
~ Judy

Woodstock’s Tragic St. Patrick’s Day Tale

Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:26 am

Were you ever cheery as all get out, sunshine shooting out your every pore,
then “WHAM!”? Do you remember Woodstock, cartoon character Charlie
Brown’s sweet-tweet birdie buddy?

It wasn’t Woodstock’s fault. He was full of green positivity and ready to
wing his way to a wonderful St Patrick’s Day jungle perch.  But that is
when it happened!

We were looking around the condo wanting to find just the right spot for
our photo op. Did he want to sit in a big colorful green plant? Or was a comfy
green patio chair good enough? I got up from my chair… Then OMG despair!
We both looked down as Woodstock and I moved away from my computer desk.
That’s when spotted him…or maybe it was a her.  A green gecko was lying there
just under the pillow I use for my feet. The gecko wasn’t moving, and I knew he/she
was too small for CPR! I had killed it. No more little bugs for that poor little green
soul; all because my size 7N foot squashed his/her little cute tush!

Yes, I felt green remorse. I like the helpful bug-eating geckos. I was glad GEICO
was not around to see my dastardly deed.  Woodstock and I bowed our heads in
prayer. And hero Ken came and rescued me. He picked up the poor little critter
and sent him to greener valleys.

Woodstock, with his wit, suggested we should salute GG (Greenie the Gecko; He’s
only been gone a few minutes, but he already earned a nickname. Nice tribute,
Woodie!) We should remember him/her with some St. Paddy’s Day revelry.
Humor IS one of Woodstock’s top strengths.

So in memory of GG, we list some GREEN phrases for you to savor. (After you tip
your hat to GG, of course!) Here are a few green phrases with a positive psychology
application retort! Turn green into strengths’ gold.

~ “Green with envy.” Why not Open-mindedly share the person’s happiness instead?

~ “Green eggs and ham.”  Yummy Creativity at it’s tasty best! Share and be Fair to
another hungry soul!

~ “Green as a newbie.”  Innocence is Honesty, a great strength. Add Love of
Learning, and watch the newbie soar!

~ “Green apples’ sour.” Everyone winces at a tart situation. What if you
Optimistically made a delicious pie?

~ “Green cash.” What if you Generously shared your good fortune and
surprised  someone with a Kindness?

~ “Green, green grass of home.” How can you use Love, Leadership and
Teamwork to add joy to your family’s day?

~ “Green sleeves.”  Are you old enough to remember Mr. Greensleeves and
his Zestful, Fun, Industrious projects?

~ “Grass is greener.”  Can’t looks be deceiving? What if you were Grateful for
the grass  in your own front yard?

See how many green phrases you can generate. What strengths pop up like a
four  leaf  clover you searched to find?  This ain’t no Blarney…May your
St. Patrick’s Day  be filled  with Irish laughter and twinkling chutzpa!
Don’t forget the green beer!

Is that you I see putting on your green tap dance shoes getting ready to jig?
I loved how you dyed your hair green today!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It only takes a tiny bit of green, $9.99 to be exact, for you to see
Cuba’s glorious green tropical greatness. Check out my bestselling
new book on Amazon ~ Kindle

I’d love to hear from you!
Just send me your questions, and I will answer in a future blog.
You can also connect with me on facebook, LinkedIn, or twitter
www.facebook.com/drjudykrings

Spontaneous Humor: Ho Ho Ho Frivolous Play Flow!

Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:00 am

© 2011 Dr. Judy Krings

Are you the type who loves all the hustle and bustle of the holidays?
Or are you someone who feels like Scrooge on a bad day and wishes
all the folderol was over?  Maybe you are somewhere in between.
Regardless, I have a solution to lighten up your load for the holidays
as well as your New Year to-do lists.

Spontaneous “frivolous flow play!”

I read this phrase from StoryPeople the other day and cracked up. Me to a tee:
“Silly in Public: I figured out that if I keep it up, someday I’ll probably get wise
enough to be silly in public but I probably won’t wait that long.”

I didn’t wait long as this photo reveals!

Did you ever sit on Santa’s lap? Were you scared?
Did you eye him up good before you took a seat?

When I was about 5, I remember seeing the string on Santa’s beard and asking
myself, “What’s with that?”  I asked Mom, and she said he was a helper. Santa was
too busy to be everywhere at one time. That was all I needed to hear.
Whew, Santa was real!

When I was in Delaware visiting Mom as few weeks ago, my best friend,
Cheryl Lynn eyed Santa and Mrs. Claus sitting on the boardwalk ready
for the young’ins to arrive. I couldn’t resist! Memories are a soft place to land.

Here’s a tip. Get someone to take a photo of your frolic.
I was so appreciative Cheryl caught the moment. Any time with her is a treat,
but we now have another shared memory to laugh at and roll our eyeballs
when our tandem rocking chairs creak. A double-your-pleasure of positive reminiscing.

Hope your holidays sparkled. What frivolous fun play might you allow yourself today?
Funny how jumping at an opportunity to laugh while others gasp fills up your
gratitude tank and re-frames the moment to joy.

Is that you I spy looking for an opportunity to pounce?
I love to here from you! What did you do to curl your toes this holiday season?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Want more frivolous fun flow in 2012?  Join me in Cuba…

Savor a new adventure and the beautiful photography in my new book:
Photo Adventures in Cuba ~ Unlock Your Power of Positivity”
Click here to take a peek!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’d love to hear from you!
Just send me your questions, and I will answer in a future blog.
You can also connect with me on facebook, LinkedIn, or twitter
www.facebook.com/drjudykrings

Savoring ~ 7 Tips To Celebrate!

Posted by Dr. Judy at 3:00 am

© 2011 Dr. Judy Krings

What does your mind conjure when you think of the word “savor?”
If you are a positive psychology connoisseur, this may be an easy
one for you. You know the formal meaning according to positive
psychologist Fred Bryant… “a process that relies on mindfully
engaging in thoughts and behaviors that heighten enjoyment;
savoring regulates the impact of positive events on positive feelings.”

Did you know there are four major forms of savoring?

1. Basking ~ Leads to pride.

2. Thanksgiving ~ Leads to gratitude.

3. Luxuriating ~ Leads to pleasure.

4. Marveling ~ Leads to awe.

All fun!

With the holidays upon you, succulent food savoring may seep into your
senses first. But savoring all life’s festive flavors infuses spice into your whole
life, not just via your palate! For me, savoring has nothing to do with food.
This picture (can you feel me smiling as I type?!) illuminates my sweet,
all-encompassing savoring Mom. OK, when we share a chocolate chip cookie
Mom’s caretaker, Bill, plies us with, that does add a dab more frosting to our cake!
Yeah, like he really has to force one on us!

Mom rings my jingle bell of savoring the loudest every time. Were you curious
about this photo? Mom is reading a card from her special friend, Tom Drill,
world class volunteer. Sitting beside her is the pup Tom sent Mom to add
sprinkles of delight to her holidays. It surely did!

How about you?
Here are a few tips to help you notice and add flavor to whatever you savor:

1. Feel your positive feeling and magnify the moment.

2. Verbalize your feeling out loud and share your joy with others.

3. Accept your feelings, focus on the wonder of them, and be amazed.

4. Stay in the “now” rather than compare your feelings to past ones.

5. Gently push away any negative thought, judgment, or distractions.

6. Pause and let gratitude wash over you and express it freely without censure.

7. Look for the good everyday; use negativity to ignite a reminder of positivity.

As this year is ending, know that I have sucked up and savored my blessed
relationship with each and every one of you. May this holiday season mirror
back to you the joy, love, and light you have so generously bestowed upon me.
I cherish you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Savor a new adventure and the beautiful photography in my new book:
Photo Adventures in Cuba ~ Unlock Your Power of Positivity”
Click here to take a peek!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’d love to hear from you!
Just send me your questions, and I will answer in a future blog.
You can also connect with me on facebook, LinkedIn, or twitter
www.facebook.com/drjudykrings