Dear Safety Nets Team,
I've been dealing with some personal issues and trying to build and work with my personal safety net. I've been focusing upon the core values that are discussed in your workbook, and have been using humor to accomplish some of my changes. I thought you'd like an update. Fred, the semi-retired businessman.

"I was excited to finally have time to devote to golf-my favorite sport. But Although my game had improved dramatically, I got angry with myself over every mistake. I soon realized that my golfing buddies affected my attitude, so I stopped playing with people who took the game too seriously. The more I played, the less I enjoyed myself. When I played with friends who focused more on having fun than on their scores, I was less critical of myself. Now golfing is as enjoyable as I hoped it would be. My scores are better without working harder. And the brighter outlook I'm getting from my companions and the game has spread to other parts of my life, including my relationships and work."

A: Congratulations, Fred! You're doing great! Which reminds us of Paul E. McGhee, PH.D., a noted researcher and writer in the field of humor, laughter and human behavior saying, "Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health."

The ability to laugh, play, and have fun with others not only makes life more enjoyable-it also helps you solve problems, connect with others, and be more creative. People who incorporate humor and play into their daily lives find that it renews them and all of their relationships.

Life brings challenges that can either get the best of you or become playthings for your imagination. When you "become the problem" and take yourself too seriously, it can be hard to think outside the box and find new solutions. But when you play with the problem, you can often transform it into an opportunity for creative learning.

Here's another example from another one of our readers:
Jane worked at home in her apartment complex designing greeting cards, a job she used to love but now felt routine. Two little girls who loved to draw and paint lived next door. At first she just watched, but in time she joined in. Laughing, coloring, and playing pretend with the little girls transformed Jane's life. Not only did playing with them end her loneliness and mild boredom, Jane invited the girls in to play with all the art supplies she had. This sparked her imagination and helped her artwork flourish. Best of all, it rekindled the playfulness and spark in Jane's relationship with her husband.

Playing with problems seems to come naturally to children. When they are confused or afraid, they make their problems into a game, giving them a sense of control and an opportunity to experiment with new solutions. Interacting with others in playful ways helps you retain this creative ability.

As laughter, humor, and play become an integrated part of your life, your creativity will flourish and new discoveries for playing with friends, coworkers, acquaintances, and loved ones will occur to you daily. Humor takes you to a higher place where you can view the world from a more relaxed, positive, creative, joyful, and balanced perspective.