Two battleships assigned to the training squadron had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy weather for several days. I was serving on the lead battleship and was on watch on the bridge as night fell. The visibility was poor with patchy fog, so the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.

Shortly after dark, the lookout on the wing of the bridge reported, “Light, bearing on the starboard bow.”"Is it steady or moving astern?” the captain called out.

Lookout replied, “Steady, captain,” which meant we were on a dangerous collision course with that ship.

The captain then called to the signalman, “Signal that ship: We are on a collision course, advise you change course 20 degrees.”

Back came a signal, “Advisable for you to change course 20 degrees.”

The captain said, “Send, I’m a captain, change course 20 degrees.”

“I’m a seaman second class,” came the reply. “You had better change course 20 degrees.”

By that time, the captain was furious. He spat out, “Send, I’m a battleship. Change course 20 degrees.

“Back came the flashing light, “I’m a lighthouse.”

We changed course.

Pictures are usually taken at special times like celebrations, unusual events or vacations.  Viewing pictures of these moments reminds you of happier, more joyful times and this lifts your mood.  I keep a photo album in my office with pictures from all the fun moments we’ve had as a team and I flip through the pictures when I need a joyful boost.  So the next time you need a shot of joy, take a stroll through some pictures!  – Dr Joy

Mitch and Bunny in California - 1966

I found a website with hundreds of vintage photos from the 1950′s to 1970′s. For the next hour I was thoroughly engaged in going through someone’s life, witnessing their travels and interests, all laid out for me in photos. I have to say that it was nonstop fun. There you have it: Joy in photos… a clinically proven mood shifter! – Professor Joy

I think the number one memory, and the one that everyone shoots for when they first go to Philmont, is climbing the Tooth in the dark and getting up there for sunrise. We were on day 9 or 10 when we got there, so it was a great thing to experience as one of our last memories of our trek. Watching the sun come up over the plain was incredible, and will forever be one of my best memories of Scouting. – Pat

#1 is easy. Getting up at 4:00 am to hike to the summit on Mt. Phillips and having coffe at sunrise with my 16 year old son….. unbelievable… definitely one one my best memories of all times, not just at Philmont. – Tim

Smiling is infectious, you catch it like the flu
When someone smiled at me today I started smiling too;
I passed around the corner, and someone saw my grin;
When he smiled I realized I’d passed it on to him;
I thought about that smile, then I realized its worth;
A single smile, just like mine, could pass around the earth;
So if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected;
Lets start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected.

Disorganized heaps of paper in your cube or on the kitchen counter can make you anxious. For some, “Clutter is a reminder of things that should be getting done but aren’t,” says Elaine Aron, PhD, author of “The Highly Sensitive Person.” “It can make you feel like a failure.” For a quick fix, straighten up a few surfaces in your office or in the areas of your home where you spend the most time. “It’s when every bit of space is messy that it’s most disturbing,” says Aron. Don’t bother to organize unless you have a chunk of time. Instead, arrange papers, books, and other detritus of daily living in neat piles or store them in baskets. “Just the illusion of order is enough to ease the mind,” she says.

Albert Eisntein once said, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk?”.  Hats off to the ubergenius – who’s untamed hairstyle looked like my office at the moment – but Dr. Aron is correct. Order does provide a sense of peace that can work to re-charge our batteries. If you stop and think for a moment about your mind’s eye, it’s not unlike a digital camera. As it scans the landscape in front of you, energy is being utilized to focus on (recognize) each item it sees. That’s energy drained from the same battery that powers all of the other physical and thought functions your body utilizes. Submitted for your consideration: How much of your joyful energy reserve is wasted recognizing clutter over and over and over? – Professor J (Hmm… does my own Einsteinesque office clutter makes me a joynius?)

Clutter by Albert Einstein

“Funny thing … this afternoon when I Googled a search for ‘creating joy in the workplace’, Websense blocked me. Go figure.” – K.V.

As unjoyful as this de-combustion was for our poor friend, I had to share because it brought a knowing smile to my face. K.V.’s experience with Websense – the Internet filter employed by many corporations that prevents workers from accessing certain websites – is a wonderful example of challenges faced by joyologists attempting to make a difference in their workplace. I’ve been there!

After reading K.V.’s note it struck me that we should also post a sampling of joyless decombustions. Not only do they provide another perspective of joy, and an occasional chuckle to raise your joy levels, they also offer valuable insights to what your fellow joyologists are learning in the field.

Hang in there K.V. We’re sending the joy your way.

Professor J

I’ve ridden on many commuter trains and seen many who appear to be homeless wanderers, and I typically keep my distance.  When this man got on the train I could see the concern in some of the parents eyes.  What made this young man different was that he was leading a 6-month old German Shepard puppy by a leash that was harnessed around the dog’s shoulders and chest rather than his neck.  The dog looked well-fed and well-behaved and it immediately laid out on the floor of the train on his side.  The puppy then rolled on his back and put all four paws in the air and playfully pawed the air.  As I watched the faces of the parents and children on the train they all lit up and smiled with joy at the dogs playful behavior.  A situation that had seemed somewhat tense only a moment before had become a joyful moment.  I asked the man what the dog’s name was and he told me it was “Mr. Beefy.”  The two of them were headed to the Monster Truck Rally together!

Joyfully submitted by a Father in California

Humor is a good management tool only if used in a positive way.  A negative working environment is created by demeaning or crude humor.  Bob Basso in his book “Lighten UP Corporate America” emphasizes that, if the work environment reflects boredom, lethargy, apathy, and a general lack of creativity, the company is spreading darkness instead of light.  He adds, “Where there is joy at work there is the greatest possibility for profit. ”  The humor message is spreading.  If companies want enthusiastic employees, fun must be part of the work environment.  Increasing productivity means maximizing joy and satisfaction.  Eastman Kodak has humor rooms for its employees.  These rooms have funny videos, games, computers with fun activities, humerous magazines/books, and a toy store.  Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream Company has a Joy Committee.  Its purpose is to improve morale by providing fun activities.  Southwest Airlines is known for its use of humor on its flights.

Opportunities abound in the workplace to use humor positively.  For example, a manager heard that a large cockroach created havoc in her department.  Its demise came via the foot of an older female employee.  The manager designed a citation of bravery plaque for this employee.  The following day, having gotten the attention of all present, she presented the plaque to her.  Laughter, clapping, and cheers rang out to bring a bright spot in everyone’s day.  Create a lighthearted work environment.  For example, use a kazoo to call a meeting to order, have a humor bulletin board with cartoons and funny sayings, use funny memos, post baby pictures for a guessing contest, draw names for a secret humor pal to bring joy to the person for the month or so.

Productive meetings need humor as the first item on the agenda.  A few minutes to jostle the funny bone of those present are a worth while investment.  A clip from a funny video, some wholesome jokes,  a humerous funny experience, a playful game can be shared.  Try some laughter exercises before the meeting begins.  Decorate the meeting room with some funny motivational posters.  These additions stimulate creativity with minimal investment.

Fun and humor in the workplace are an important element of the joyful workplace framework. If companies want enthusiastic and joyful employees, fun must be part of the work environment.  The joyologist looks for ways to use humor to create joy in the office.  Every office needs a good joyologist to lead the way.  Leaders should identify the joyologists in their workplace and support their activities by giving them time away from their normal responsibilities to help create fun and give them a budget to spend on team activities.  -  Dr Joy

Joyful executives are all too often under-valued in the corporate environment. Somewhere along the way, joy in the workplace and Wall Street (shareholder expectations) became estranged partners. (“Don’t joke with the employees. A stern environment is a productive environment!” – Walter B. Grouchdale, Chairman – Global Mega Corp) Whether you are an aspiring frontline supervisor or a multiple MBA wielding CEO, remember: smiles and laughter are tools of engagement… and an engaged team is a productive team.  -  Professor J

Dr. Nigel Carter, chief executive of the Foundation, pointed out, “We have long been drawing attention to the fact that smiling increases happiness both in yourself and those around you, so it is good to receive the backing of this scientific research … A healthy smile can improve your confidence, help you make friends and help you to succeed in your career … “

So remember to smile and bring joy to both yourself and others.

A driver tucked this note under the windshield wiper of his automobile: “I’ve circled the block for 20 minutes. I’m late for an appointment, and if I don’t park here I’ll lose my job. Forgive us our trespasses.”

When he came back he found a parking ticket and this note: “I’ve circled the block for 20 years, and if I don’t give you a ticket, I’ll lose my job. Lead us not into temptation.”