Hi Laughter Lovers,

Let’s face it, “Resolution” is a word that holds many negative connotations for many people. This is particularly true when you put the words “New" and “Year’s” in front of it.

Come on, we’ve all been there…it’s New Year’s eve and through a gob full of chocolate mousse and a skin full of dessert wine you proudly proclaim – “This is it. Tomorrow I start dieting/ jogging/ writing my novel/ tidying the garage/ going to bed earlier/ getting my finances together/ talking kindly to my spouse/ meditating in order to attain enlightenment for the benefit of all sentient beings / unknotting my pyjama cord."

The research of psychologist Richard Wiseman shows that only about 80% of those who make New Year’s resolutions have any success in keeping them. Most us get into a pattern of resolve, try a bit, give up, feel bad.

To remedy this I suggest that in 2012 you make a New Year’s laughalution. That’s right, I have created a ridiculous word to replace the word resolution because a laughalution is much more fun!

Here are some suggestions for your 2012 laughalutions:

This year I will consciously create more laughter in my life.

This year I will look for more opportunities to share laughter with  other people.

This year I will get out of bed each morning, smile at myself in the mirror for 30 seconds and say, “For someone with eyelids superglued together with sleep and a hair style that defies certain laws of physics you’re rather attractive.”

I know it sounds corny but do you really think that bothers a man who invented a word like laughalution? The bottom line is the positive feeling you create in yourself by putting more laughter into your life will enable you to better implement all the other things you have resolved to change this year. Replace the grim determination with mirth creation and you will see results not disappointment.

Wiseman found that people who break their resolutions into smaller goals have greater success. So don’t try to transform into the life of everyone’s party all at once. Start small. After you smile at yourself in the mirror try smiling with genuine good will at the next person you see. It could make 2012 just a little bit better for both of you.

Viva la laughalution!

Laughingly yours, Anthony Ackroyd

 © Anthony Ackroyd 2012