Click here to view the embedded video.

It usually gets a pretty good reaction from the crowd, including laughs and giggles of both delight and disgust.

The video is a little misleading, however.

You see, Kim originally heard the idea of feeding giraffes in this particular way from a man we met at a gig. We discussed it in our hotel room and decided it was a splendid idea. But when we got to the zoo and stood face-to-face with the googley-eyed, hairy-chined, goofy-looking animals, we almost chickened out.

One reason we went through with it is because of you.

If you frequent this site, you probably have an image of me and Kim as champions of fun. It’s an image that has built up over the years, one which we have enthusiastically embraced. Now I like to think we’re pretty fun people, but we know a lot of people who are just as fun (and even moreso) than us. But the reason we embrace this image is because it’s a worthy goal. It’s a picture of the kind of people we really want to be.

I often think back on the best teachers I’ve ever had (including my parents). The thing they all had in common was that they held me to a higher standard. They didn’t let me settle for average. They had a vision for me which was higher than where I was at the time. Their belief and expectations encouraged and challenged me to become that person they knew I could become.

Being Jason of “Kim & Jason” is kind of like that. There’s a little pressure to be a happy-go-lucky, never-stressed, perfectly-balanced ball of fun. But I don’t mind it, because that’s the sort of person I want to become. (And some days, I even do a pretty good job of it.)

So Kim and I went through with the giraffe shenanigans largely because of peer pressure.

But the confession doesn’t end there.

The first few attempts in the video are admittedly a little lame, or at least more reserved than the latter ones. Once we got through the first few, we thought we were done filming. We did what we came there to do. We were proud that we went through with it and relieved that it was over.

Then we saw some kids doing it.

They took our idea and elevated it to a whole new level. They were much more daring. And they were having a lot more fun. After watching them for a few minutes, we knew our filming had just begun.

We bought more crackers, got a little bit more wild, and had a blast. The clips at the end of the video are the result, and they are what transform the movie from mildly amusing to magical.

There are two morals to this story.

First of all, we struggle with Adultitis just like you. Our mission is to publicly work on annihilating the Adultitis within is and the world around us, while sharing what works and encouraging you to do the same. We are as inspired by your efforts in the fight as we hope you are of ours. You help keep us accountable, and for that we are thankful.

Secondly, as the kids at the zoo demonstrated, children are the best teachers. They’re little guides with wisdom we often overlook. That’s why we call them sherpas. What we try to do is point out the genius of children and give you permission to be more like them.

So, if you’re ever in doubt about how life should really be lived, ignore us and go watch some kids.

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“People don’t want their lives fixed. Nobody wants their problems solved. Their dramas. Their distractions. Their stories resolved. Their messes cleaned up. Because what would they have left? Just the big scary unknown.”
–Chuck Palahniuk

(Click comic to view larger)

This is a special guest post from Lisa Warsinske, who is a humorist speaker and improvisational queen over at Comedy Alley.

Just finished chomping on the Kotecki’s latest book There’s An Adult In My Soup and I must say it was quite disappointing. Not one recipe. The pictures were all black and white. The articles made me feel that I’m missing out on something…

*Insert needle on the record scratch sound effect here*

Please ignore the first paragraph. I have to admit there are times my adult self seeps out. But I’ve got that in check now and I can’t wait to share what I thought of Kim and Jason’s cool new book!

I am happiest when I’m out and about speaking on finding the fun. This book was a great read and shares Kim and Jason’s personal reminders that keep their Adultitis in check. Was there anything brand new? Revelations never before revealed? Not really. But what this book has is a top notch collection of reminders to see the little blessings in each day.

I consider this book to be a bible of sorts in that you can read any chapter in any order and take away a message you needed at that moment. I didn’t find this the type of book to read in one take. Rather (and I mean this respectfully) it is a great bathroom book or bed stand read.

I’ll be paraphrasing highlights, not directly quoting, as I am usually going slightly over the speed limit in life. Here, now – my take-aways:

Jason wrote about being on vacation and ignoring email. He thought it would be tough, then easily slipped into dissing the pull of the internet. He said “the sun still rose and set. Are you staying connected or staying distracted?” On the same topic, Kim challenged us to back off of email too! They ask “what if you don’t answer your cell phone while lunching with a friend?” and “Remove that hand-free cell phone from your noggin and just BE in the moment.”

Reminds me of a stand-up comic who told an audience member (whose cell was ringing during his set) “Hey! If you were that important you’d have someone taking calls for you.” I like Kim and Jason’s friendly challenge to let it go. What will it be like when our kids are older!? A cell phone in each ear with a hand held internet device …never communicating face to face. I’m not liking the visual here.

Moving on: Kim brings up families that are too scheduled. Too many after-school sessions to attend. No family time. It’s such a valid point. When is the last time you saw a park full of kids? Why aren’t parents sending kids out to play in the fresh air and meet new neighbor kids? It’s all about videos and web surfing. Come ON! Get outside, get some sun and air and exercise! I know my sons are less sassy when they are good and tired. And forced to use their (gasp) imaginations. I’m such a mean Mom.

Jason says “it’s as if whoever can prove they’re busiest wins.” And they mention you never see a 3-year-old enter a room and declare “I’m just SO busy today!” Being too busy is a choice. I was telling a buddy that I was getting a massage in the afternoon and she looked at me with envy and said “You’re so lucky!” Hmm. I didn’t win the time away – I made an appointment. I answered “Luck didn’t have much to do with it, I chose some time for myself today.” (I love saying that, and need to say it more!)

Jason asks “are you finding a good balance between work, family and alone time?” Well I’d answer with a hearty, “Um. Well. Sometimes.” Case in point, my 13-year-old hops in the van and just ejects my CD out of the player to plug in his own music. I was listening to a keynote speaker and knew it would be a pain to find which track I was on. I sort of had a hissy. I slapped the steering wheel and loudly said “Hey! How am I supposed to find my spot! You can’t just go grabbing CDs without asking!” He grabbed the CD, read the title (Stress Less for Women) and calmly stated “I don’t think this thing is working, Mom.” Ok, so I know what I can work on. Clear. Like crystal.

There’s An Adult In My Soup has given me reminders that I need, and permission to be my playful self and know that I’m not alone on my quest for crazy. Being normal is so limiting.

When Kim wrote about people with bad attitudes (the Eeyores) and then the fun Tigger types – I totally agree. I call the sad sacks Energy Vampires. They suck the energy out of you simply by entering a room. They are predictable in their glum-ness and you have a great urge to take a fake phone call (make sure you hold the phone the right away) or just run from the room. Not always possible, unfortunately. I always look for the sunshine friends and more importantly, I try to be one!

Last year my hubby and I accepted a Kim and Jason challenge to go out and be daring and wild. We were the smile-makers around town who taped a take out soda cup to the top of the van and acted like it wasn’t there. When people shout or point we just do a shy wave and a smile that says, “Do I know you?” It’s such affordable fun. We take my Mom and the kids out, and even friends have requested a ride. Not sure why they don’t just do it on their own. Guess we’re the sunshine friends!

I appreciate the theme of the new book and, as I said, it’s a great read in small bits so that you can absorb the message meant just for you for that moment. It is closed with quotes from Erma Bombeck that brought sweet tears to my eyes. This ending was a dessert for my soul. Next time I read There’s An Adult In My Soup, I’ll have dessert first !

I am touched by the heart and soul you share with your readers in this book and on your website, Kim and Jason. Lucy picked really cool parents.

And now I must go – I’m planning a pajama happy hour to celebrate my birthday this weekend! Instead of bringing a gift, the challenge to my pals is to buy a gift for someone else and not tell them it was a challenge. We’ll have fun stories to share at the PJ party!

Enjoy the read and find your message.

–Lisa Warsinske

The holidays are upon us, which usually means extended quality time with the family. After everybody gets caught up on current events like who just got engaged and the name of Uncle Jack’s newest girlfriend, why not spice things up this year with an easy and fun game that will get you reminiscing about treasured memories (while creating some hilarious new ones). On this show, we talk about what you need and how to play. Oh yeah, we also talk briefly about ways to make air travel more fun.

Share Your Thoughts…
What do you think about this week’s show? How do you think the airlines could make flying more fun? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ‘em to eashow@kimandjason.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linkety Links

• How do you think the airlines could make flying more fun? Read Jason’s article “Does United Airlines Have Adultitis?”
• Don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

Sign up to receive our free newsletter to get regular reminders and tips for stressing less and having more fun. Consider it a well-deserved jolt of happiness for your inbox.

photo by ohhector

One person starts the conversation with any random statement. Immediately, the next person has to follow that up with a statement or question that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the previous one.

“I have to change the oil in my Honda.”

“Don’t you just adore eggplant?”

“Those postage stamps are quite colorful.”

On and on the game goes until someone hesitates or trips up and responds with something relevant. Pausing for a second is bad. Being relevant is bad. For instance, if you replied to the first statement above about the Honda, “My car needs a brake job,” you’re out, baby.

Up the level of fun and difficulty by seeing just how fast you can keep the crazy conversation going.

P.S. I cannot be held responsible for anyone who may be inadvertently taken off to the looney bin during the course of playing this game. I say we blame the nursing home social worker.

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What are your favorite memories? You know, the mental Polaroids that will stay with you forever; the treasured times spent with friends or family that always seem to get brought up and relived when you’re together.

For me, just off the top of my head, I think of my wedding day, the day Lucy was born, family vacations in Door County, two surprise birthday parties, early-morning fishing trips with my dad and uncle, feeding giraffes with my mouth, and an eighth grade school field trip to Chicago to eat at Ed Debevic’s and watch Michael Jordan play hoops.

Those memories all occurred at various points of my life, but one thing they all have in common is that they didn’t happen as part of my normal, day-to-day routine. They were special events, a break from the norm. Some required a good bit of planning, others were dependent on good ol’ fashioned spontaneity. I bet you can say the same thing about your own best memories.

Most of our days follow a certain pattern and offer a degree of sameness. It’s a natural part of the rhythm of life. If every single day were wildly varied and unexpected, we’d probably burn out pretty fast. However, whether it’s going to school or going to work, this predictable routine can often lead to ruts.

And ruts are those moldy places where Adultitis likes to fester.

In order to create memories — the ones that we remember ’till we’re old and grey and dependent on Depends — we need to break out of the box that is our normal routine. We need to schedule time for something different. We need to open ourselves up to spontaneity. For instance…

• Go to a completely different restaurant for your next date night.
• Take a day off from work for no reason and go do something fun.
• Go to an opera (or a comedy club or a musical or a hockey game or an orchestral performance) for the first time.
• Visit the airport, even if you don’t have anywhere to go.
• Take the scenic route home.

I want to thank a teacher from Cassville, Wisconsin for sharing the tip that memories are indeed made outside of the box. It’s a reminder we all need to hear.

We should always be looking for ways to find fun and gratitude in the daily routine of our lives. But we also need to be mindful of making time for memories, which are often the result of doing something new.

No one ever gets to the end of their life and says, “I just wish I’d spent more time at the office.” A well-lived life has a big honkin’ treasure chest of memories, most of which are made by breaking free from the day-to-day.

What are some of your favorite memories that resulted from something spontaneous?

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“The only factor becoming scarce in a world of abundance is human attention.”
–Kevin Kelly

(Click comic to view larger)

We’ve been thrilled to receive so many positive reviews of our new book, There’s An Adult In My Soup. In case you’re wondering, the reason you haven’t seen many bad ones is because we were able to convince The Lord of The Internet (aka Al Gore) to take them all down for us.

The latest review comes from Tanmay Vora, a cool fellow who shares thoughts on quality, management, improvement, and life on his QAspire Blog. Here’s a snippet of what Tanmay had to say about Soup:

I am currently reading a simple yet amazing book titled “There’s An Adult In My Soup” by Kim and Jason Kotecki. They are on a mission fighting “Adultitis” – typical adult syndromes that infect us as we grow. In that process, we lose our child-like qualities that made us happy and jovial. Our daily conundrums trap us and we forget that life happens to us when we are busy making other things happen. This book is a gentle reminder to remain open, optimistic and child-like to enjoy the simple joys of life.

Any book that relates well with your current circumstances will quickly hit you. So if you are going through a “busyness” syndrome and looking out for more from life, this book will quickly break the ice and become a good guiding friend. Better yet, this book will lead to some self-revelation if you are suffering from adultitis but don’t know about it yet! Jason’s illustrations in the beginning of every chapter makes it more interactive and light-weight.

Thanks to Tanmay for the glowing review, and thanks to everyone who has bought a copy, making it the best-selling book we’ve published this year.*

We don’t want you to feel left out of the whole review process. If you’ve had a chance to read the book, we’d LOVE it if you posted your own review over at Amazon.com. Unless you think it stinks. Don’t make us get Al Gore after you.

*Coincidentally, it is also the only book we’ve published this year.

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

This year, Sesame Street is celebrating its 40th anniversary on the air. It may come as a surprise that this classic children’s show has its share of Adultitis. In this episode, we analyze six popular characters from the show to determine which ones are Adultitis-free and which ones need to seek treatment.

Share Your Thoughts…
What do you think about this week’s show? What’s the biggest life lesson you learned from Sesame Street? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ‘em to eashow@kimandjason.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linkety Links

• Complete the intake from the Cure Adultitis Institute to see what level of Adultitis you have.
• Listen to our interview with Bob McGrath and get the inside scoop on what it’s like working with Oscar the Grouch.
• Check out the new K&J Nation page and be sure to add your Flickr pics to our two new photo groups.

Sign up to receive our free newsletter to get regular reminders and tips for stressing less and having more fun. Consider it a well-deserved jolt of happiness for your inbox.

photo by mauren veras

Kim came across a story in which a man was denied a first class upgrade on a United flight by a gate agent because we was dressed “too casually.” He was wearing a track suit.

Good thing he wasn’t wearing a clown suit; he’d be deported by now.

It looks like a classic case of Adultitis, and I consider myself lucky that it wasn’t me. You see, my standard travel garb is almost always a pair of Adidas track pants and a Mr. Incredible t-shirt (for good luck.) I’ve been upgraded to first class on a number of occasions, clearly not realizing how fortunate I was.

I wonder what other stipulations the agent puts on first class flyers. Is everyone required to tap away incessantly on their laptops, taking breaks only to talk about how bad the economy is or sigh loudly when it’s announced that the flight will be delayed? Laughing must surely be outlawed, but what’s the punishment for a smile? An extra helping of airline food?

In a follow-up story, United Airlines was quick to point out that the gate agent is a contract employee who works for Air Wisconsin. They also said they’re investigating the incident. According to the airline, although there is no dress code, there are two rules: Ticketed passengers can not be barefoot and must be clothed.

[Side note: I can't help but wonder about the origin of these rules. Have they actually had naked people try to board a flight? Or did they create the rule preemptively, thinking, "We'd better figure out a way to keep all those naked people I see walking through the airport from coming on OUR planes!"]

Whether or not this incident reflects United’s corporate culture or it was simply a rogue agent acting alone, the fact remains that every airline I’ve encountered is bursting with high levels of Adultitis. It seems like Southwest Airlines keeps things fun, but I can’t speak from experience because they don’t service Madison. The only Adultitis antidote I’ve discovered for air travel is the technique of bringing a baby with you. Smiles and good service are guaranteed.

I realize that air travel is a stressful industry across the board. But I can’t help but think how easy it would be to make noticeable changes. For instance, don’t just tell us our flight is delayed. Explain why. Err on the side of giving us too much information, and don’t treat us like your slaves. Let us keep our shoes on in the security lines. Smile more (or at the very least, pretend like you give a damn).

For the overachieving airlines (if there are any), here are a few ways to take things to the next level and create raving fans:

• Instead of peanuts, serve Cracker Jacks (with a prize inside.)
• Hire more comedians to serve as flight attendants, or require your current people to take improv classes.
• Paint cool murals on the planes, a la the Cow Parade that’s been held in Chicago and other cities.
• Draw random seat numbers for door prizes, which might be 500 extra bonus miles, a free drink, or a gift certificate to an airport restaurant.

What about you? What are some ways you think the airlines could make flying more fun? Share your ideas in the comments.

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When I was five, I was the “character” in my family. Being the youngest daughter of four girls, I innocently sought after (and claimed) the attention of my family with my super silly dances and crazy mismatched outfits. The crazier my moves, the more reaction I received, which I loved!

Over the subsequent 15 years, I slowly found myself growing up and becoming an “adult.” Sure, I loved the later bedtimes, but the bills and responsibilities were not cool. Life became more serious: earn the diploma, land a job, pay down debt, be responsible…yadda yadda yadda. Finding that inner kindergartner has become harder and harder over the years, which is why Jason and I do what we do. It’s a constant journey to rediscover that childlike me, fighting Adultitis every step of the way.

Well, I found “her” in Chicago on Saturday.

About three months ago, I was introduced by my good friend Lance Ekum to The Levity Project. You may have heard me talk about this. Katie West is the brainchild behind this amazing endeavor as she seeks to create global social change towards a world which unites in joy. Her vision is to design a more buoyant society through laughter, play and celebration. In order to do this, they engage in public acts of levity which create social change in a public place and for those present, which creates a ripple effect of positivity to all those they come into contact with during the moment and afterwards.

I had the opportunity to participate in The Levity Project in Chicago on Saturday. It involved three creative events – each one bringing countless smiles and laughs to not only the participants, but also the passersby. Heck, some folks even stopped to join us, without full understanding of what was going on – proving once again that laughter and happiness are seriously contagious. Thank goodness, right?!

Amidst the building momentum of each event and the giddiness of the activities, I found myself tapping into levels of silliness that I haven’t gotten to in years. Ya know when you’re little and you think you can tackle the world, you think you can do anything?! I had these same grandiose feelings sweeping through me. I was playfully confident, with more energy than I would know what to do with. I felt five — just like the good ‘ol days!

Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet for staying in this blissful state. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It takes effort to be this buoyant, but it’s totally worth it. Need a jump start today? Here are a few ideas (inspired by Katie and The Levity Project) to help you drink from that fountain of youth, bringing out your childlike spirit once again…

• Wear a funny hat.
• Go outside with friends and enjoy the fresh air.
• Practice laughter (fake it ’till ya make it).
• Play freeze tag.
• Sport some silly sunglasses.
• Smile at strangers.
• Speak gibberish (Hat tip to Katie West’s FABULOUS blog)
• Laugh until you get someone to laugh with you.
• Wear a lei.
• Blow bubbles.
• Ride on the top of a double decker bus.
• Give someone a high five.

Thanks for the levity, Katie!! Can’t wait to see what city The Levity Project hits next!

Lucy is eleven months old today, and she’s starting to give hugs now.

Holy cow, is THAT ever cool.

Especially because up to this point, she hasn’t been what I’d describe as “touchy-feely.” Sure, she’ll nestle in close if she’s really tired, but most of the time she’s much too independent for any of that mushy stuff. She’s quick to wriggle out of your arms to go exploring and generally do her own thing.

I think the eleven month mark is way too early to be getting glimpses of what the teenage years are going to look like.

But yes, the hug thing is pretty cool. I’ve been so focused trying NOT to wish away time by looking ahead to “easier” stages that I honestly haven’t spent a ton of time thinking about the fun stages ahead: getting kisses, hearing her say Daddy, and coloring together at the kitchen table. Because of this effort, these fun things have become little surprises along the way, which is cool.

As much as I wish there was, there is just no “pause” button, dangit. (Thanks for the reminder on that, Mel.) I feel like I’ve done a pretty good job trying to squeeze the marrow out of every moment, but time is still flying by. I mean I’m not perfect or anything. I still find it easier to dive into work — which seems more tangible and productive — than sit and watch her play, which I know is no less important. But being mindful of that urge is a good thing, and I’d give myself an 8 out of 10 in that department.

I guess I should rest easy knowing that I was mindful of the little moments along the way and that I won’t have to worry about the regret of missing out on the good stuff because I was too “busy” doing other things. That’s the best any of us can hope for.

What really stinks is that even if you do EVERYTHING right (which is, of course, impossible or something), you still can’t stop a little girl from growing up way too quickly.

Dang.

Happy birthday, Lucy. Slow down a little bit, okay?

“Everyone is a genius at least once a year. The real geniuses simply have their bright ideas closer together.”
–Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

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Most people are deathly afraid of speaking in front of a crowd (whether or not the crowd is in their underwear). Lisa Braithwaite is a cool coach and blogger who helps people get better at public speaking. She notes that the fear of looking foolish, the fear of trying new things, and the fear of standing out are all symptoms of Adultitis, which she works hard to alleviate in her clients, as she gives them tools to help their anxiety melt away.

She recently reviewed our new book, There’s An Adult In My Soup and gave away a signed copy on her blog. In the review, she pointed out some of her favorite themes from the book:

“Busy: The New Four-Letter Word,” is about how adults tend to compete over who’s busiest. The problem is, nobody wins in this competition. It’s all lose-lose. Kim officially makes the word “busy” a bad word. As she says, “The funny thing is that everyone has the same amount of time, so if you are ‘busy’ it’s your own fault. The flaw is in you.”

“FTERA. Do You Have It?” Failure To Enjoy Recent Accomplishments is a new malady discovered by Jason’s father where we do not take time “to delight in the little things and maintain perspective.” (See my blog Yay Life! for more on enjoying the little things.)

FTERA is about always wanting or needing the next thing to come along. We can’t be content to be satisfied with what’s already accomplished; we have to constantly be grasping for the next event/activity/project.

“Stress Begets Stress” Kim says, “I happened upon an article talking about the trend of commuters leaving earlier and earlier, while also leaving work later in the day to avoid traffic, only to find themselves pulling twelve- to thirteen-hour days. Adultitis, much?”

“The lesson here is simple. YOU are in charge of your life. If it’s a stressed-out mess, it’s time to stop blaming your circumstances and start moving towards change.”

When you write a book, it’s always neat to hear what aspects of it managed to grab someone. I found it pretty cool that a lot of the themes that struck Lisa were written by Kim, who often downplays her writing skills. I try my best to pooh-pooh that notion (and also try my best to use the term “pooh-pooh” as much as possible). But, as husbands out there know all too well, our opinions seem to weigh less with each passing year. I’ve always believed that Kim’s contribution added a TON of perspective to the book (and this blog), but I’m grateful to have Lisa back me up on that one.

Pick up your very own copy of “There’s An Adult In My Soup,” filled with short bursts of inspiration, witty and wise life balance advice, and over 50 fun illustrations.

Ever notice how when you’re rushed, it feels like everything is foggy and out of focus? In this episode, we discuss 5 ways to slow down so you can think more clearly. We also talk about our first Halloween at the new house, share one of our favorite YouTube videos, and reveal the date of our next live show.

Share Your Thoughts…
What do you think about this week’s show? What’s your favorite trick for thinking more clearly? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ‘em to eashow@kimandjason.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linkety Links

• YouTube Video: Charlie Bit Me!
• Add a little Jim Gaffigan to your day
• Miss the live Halloween special? Watch it now!

Sign up to receive our free newsletter to get regular reminders and tips for stressing less and having more fun. Consider it a well-deserved jolt of happiness for your inbox.

I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but the economy is bad. Like, really bad. It’s not a good time to go out and do anything outlandish, like start a business or invest in learning a new skill. You definitely want to keep risk taking to a minimum, that’s for sure. Oh, and the housing market is still pretty bad — and we’re now getting into the worst part of the year — so don’t even think about trying to sell your home, because no one will buy it. It’s always better to not try at all than to try and fail and be disappointed, right?

*Ahem.*

Dream stealers with Adultitis are everywhere. You can find them on TV, giving their opinions on the “news.” You can find them in universities, citing facts and figures for why the way things are now are as bad as they’ve ever been. You can find them in counseling offices, helpfully suggesting that maybe you should give up this because you’re really better suited for something safe like that. You might even find them on the street corner, in the conference room, at the barber shop, or in your own home.

True dreamers know times like these present a unique set of challenges, but not without a unique set of opportunities. True dreamers know that in order to become an overnight success, you have to work your face off. And true dreamers protect their dream, no matter what anybody says.

“Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it.” — James Baldwin

Don’t ever let somebody tell you you can’t do something. Just because it’s hard or unlikely or never been done doesn’t mean it’s not possible.

[ Hat tip for the video to Fallible Blogma ]

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photo by pluca

People are freaking out about the swine flu! Talk of it is everywhere. Heck, it’s a national emergency. Vaccinations! Hospitalizations! Deaths! I am in agreement that this is serious stuff. I’m taking precautions, believe me. However…dare I say there is a silent epidemic sweeping the globe that is far deadlier than any flu?

There is, indeed! It’s sneaking into almost EVERY household without even the thought of a vaccination.

Adultitis.

Did you know that if you are one of the 95% of adults living with Adultitis that you are more susceptible to contracting H1N1 than the few folks who don’t have it? It weakens your immune system — big time! Adultitis can sneak up on you when you least expect it. In fact, if you have laughed less than 15 times today, you are probably struggling with a VERY serious case. Get tested NOW!

Us folks at the Cure Adultitis Institute are always on the lookout for ways to prevent and cure this deadly disease. When we find tips, we like to get them to you as soon as possible so you can fight the good fight against this silent monster.

There are countless easy prescriptions to prevent and treat Adultitis without having to get stuck with a needle. (Yay – I hate needles!) In fact, I am excitedly participating in one this Saturday. The Levity Project is coming to Chicago!! You may remember that Lance Ekum from Jungle of Life, along with Jason and I, hosted a Levity Project Laughter Flash back in August. It was a blast! Check out the video here.

Well, The Levity Project brainchild, Katie West (The Levity Coach™), is gathering together folks from all over the Midwest (and beyond!) to meet up on Chicago this Saturday, November 7th, from 11:00-1:00. We’ll be riding a double decker bus in downtown Chicago and participating in three different levity experiences as a group. Why? Well, as Katie shares on her blog:

A. because it is wicked fun, adventurous and cool thing to do. B. Because they believe the world needs greater lightness and joy! And this is a fun way to shake it up! Let’s create social change through laughter, play, and celebration together. Cheers to fostering a lighter society.

Amen, sister!

Lance and I are road-triping from Wisconsin together to be a part of this fabulous Adultitis-preventing event. Forget your antibacterial soaps or face masks this weekend, we’re going to have some good ‘ol fashion fun as a way to prevent flu, heart attacks, depression, and even simple old cases of the grumpies. I hope my face hurts from smiling so much. Hope to see you there!

How many business cards have you collected over the years? A handful? A hundred? Enough to wallpaper the bathrooms of every house on your block? Even if you’re not involved in “Business,” chances are you’ve received a number of business cards over the years, from the auto mechanic to your neighbor who sells Mary Kay.

Most business cards are, frankly, forgettable.

Why? Because they all look the same. They blend in.

You see, when business cards are born, the first thing their creators likely consider is, “What do business cards look like?” Of course, this question is asked and answered on a subconscious level. It doesn’t have be voiced or heavily belabored because everyone already knows what a business card looks like. It’s a 3.5″ x 2″ paper rectangle with somebody’s name, place of employment, and contact information printed on it. The designer’s job is to make it “stand out” by cleverly mixing up the paper stock, colors, graphics, and fonts.

But what is a business card, really? Isn’t it just a tangible object that you can give to a prospective customer so they (or their friend) can contact you if they need what you (or your company) sells? Obviously, the more memorable this object is, the better, as making a lasting impression is always better than being instantly forgotten.

You’ll notice that nowhere in the above definition is any mention of shape, size, or type of material. The common conventions listed above — it must be 3.5″ x 2″ — are rules that don’t exist.

If a child were tasked with the job of designing a business card, the results would be much different. (Paper is too flat — let’s make it out of LEGOs!) Kids aren’t tied down by what a business card is supposed to look like, so they have a greater chance of breaking the “rules” and coming up with something truly remarkable and — gasp! — more effective. The images accompanying this post are all business “cards” designed by people with a very childlike mindset. (See more here.)

If you don’t happen to be a graphic designer, you might be thinking to yourself, “This is all well and good, Jason, but what does this have to do with ME?”

Everything.

Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, a recent graduate looking for a job, a project manager, or a retired accountant, you are living by a set of rules that don’t exist. But don’t feel bad, because it’s normal. You operate much of your life on auto-pilot. Normally, this is a good thing, as it makes things more efficient. You don’t have to waste time every day wondering, “How do I get to work?”

But one disadvantage is that you lack a beginner’s mind. Like a business card designer, you are subconsciously operating with a stock answer to the question, “What is this supposed to look like?”

What is my daily routine supposed to look like?
What is my resumé supposed to look like?
What is our conference room supposed to look like?
What are my retirement years supposed to look like?

If I asked you a similar question about an aspect of your life, you’d probably have a certain set of conditions — or rules — from which you’d automatically begin. From there, like a designer adjusting fonts and colors, you make certain adjustments based on your own preferences, priorities and passion. Perhaps you’d batch your errands, print your resume on fancier paper, paint the conference room walls, or spend a little more time volunteering in your down time.

The tweaks and adjustments are fine, but my challenge to you is: what if you took a step back and blew up your answer to the first question? What if you blew up the rules that don’t exist?

Where is it written that a mother’s job is to endlessly chauffeur her kids to practices, games, and recitals every day of the week?

Why do we assume that resumés need to be printed on paper and be formatted according to common conventions?

It it always necessary for conference rooms to look so similar? Do they even need to be on-site, or even inside?

Who ever said that retirement can’t be used to launch an even more ambitious, passion-filled project that makes a bigger difference than anything you ever did while you were “working?”

Here’s the deal. You have a lot more control of you life than you probably realize. Your life can be less stressful, more fulfilling, more productive and more fun…today. Believe me or not, but it’s true. The trick is to spend some time questioning your assumptions.

Right now, at this moment, ask yourself this question:

What is my life supposed to look like?

Now let me ask you:

Really? Says who?

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“Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.”
–Oscar Wilde

(Click comic to view larger)

This episode was broadcast live, and because we were talking about all things Halloween, we decked out the set with pumpkins, cobwebs, skulls, and eyeballs floating in blood. Dressed in costume, we, and a bunch of Halloween-crazed viewers, discussed the best and worst Halloween candy ever, shared costume memories, and revealed 5 things you absolutely HAVE to do this Halloween. And if you’ve ever wondered how to tell if you have holiday-induced Adultitis, Kim & Jason Nation offered an array of pretty good warning signs.

Share Your Thoughts…
What do you think about this week’s show? What’s your favorite (and least favorite) Halloween candy? Do you have a favorite costume or scary movie? We’d love to hear from you! Leave a comment below or in the video itself by clicking the little plus sign in the player. Got photos or videos? Send ‘em to eashow@kimandjason.com

Click here to view the embedded video.

Linkety Links

• Check out Jason’s list of top 5 worst Halloween treats ever over at the Dadomatic blog.
• Watch this commercial for Doug’s “My Buddy” doll and tell us it doesn’t look like Chuckie from Child’s Play…
• Learn everything you ever wanted to know about wrestling’s classic tag team, the Road Warriors.
• Looking for pumpkin carving ideas? Check out this list of stellar efforts.

Become a fan of Kim & Jason on Facebook to be alerted about our next live show, which you obviously won’t want to miss. Kim & Jason Nation unite!