one hat at a time

This month we feature the Jester's silly cap in honor of the inner fool--that part of us that delights in bending rules, living fully in the moment and bringing us the gift of resiliency.

In the spirit of inviting more lightheartedness and resiliency into the world, we are thrilled to open the virtual doors of the New Hattitude Spa for you. Please take a moment to look around and let us know what you think.

Play on!

April is a fine time to be Foolish. And by no means the only time. Our April Fool's Day is a faint echo of the medieval Feast of Fools, where all conventions were given a week off and the normal order was turned upside down. Masters and slaves traded places, dignitaries were ridiculed, and everybody got a license to act out rebellious feelings. And that medieval week of social anarchy was itself was no doubt a descendant of a much older Roman holiday. Turning things upside down once in a while is an age- old way of maintaining balance.

The court jester had a similar function - lightening up systems that were otherwise in danger of taking themselves too seriously. The Jester is the spirit of spontaneity, the wild card, the natural intuitive, the wise fool. It is the needed naivete that announces that the emperor has no clothes.

Put on the silly hat when the situation calls for its special kind of smartness:

• When conventional wisdom needs to be challenged.
• When you're stuck, and exaggerating the situation or turning it upside down could yield some interesting insights.
• When the atmosphere in the office or the meeting is fraught with pent-up hostility - find the humor in the situation and ease the tension with laughter.
• When you sense that you are putting too much energy into defending some position or practice.

Above all, the Jester is a source of fresh energy and fresh ideas. Give this goofy headgear a place in your hat wardrobe, and you'll be rewarded with freedom, innovation, and the wisdom that comes from being a wild card.

Inspire Your Inner Jester -- 10 "Foolish" Habits

1. Make mundane tasks a spirtual practice. Elevate dishwashing, commuting to work, laundry folding, even cat box cleaning -- any task -- as if doing so brings you closer to the divine.
2. Take yourself on a jester date once a week. Plan an activity that is sure to feed your inner fool (hint: something that is pleasurable and makes you feel alive!).
3. Reduce stress by exaggerating it. Ask "What is the worst thing that could happen?" Notice -- usually -- the world doesn't come to a screeching halt (and don't forget to laugh).
4. Celebrate your own feast of fools--switch roles with someone for the day.
5. Eat one meal backwards (starting with dessert).
6. Remember The Art of Possibility Rule Number 6: Don't take yourself so @#$%^! seriously!
7. Hone your Jester skills by reading one email a day in 5 different & dramatic ways. Each time read it using one of the following techniques: exaggeration, physical humor, double entendre, sarcasm, deadpan.
8. When a problem rears its ugly head, play with it or play a trick on it.
9. Ask a silly question.
10. Surpise us.