Professional Stand Up Comedy at The Vineyard, April 24th, 2010

Save the date!
Lighten Up folks! – April is National Humor Month and to celebrate The Syracuse Vineyard is sponsoring a night of Laughter and Silliness.  On Saturday, April 24th, at 7:00 pm come join us in the Fireside Room as I host – Silly Business at the Vineyard.  Your headliner for the evening is Nationally Known Stand-Up comic Dan Viola. Dan has worked with Jon Stewart, Kevin Meaney, Steven Wright, Sam Kinison, Has been featured in numerous TV commercials and appeared on The Nashville Network  Tickets are $6.50 and includes free parking and  all the popcorn you can eat.  Plus we will be handing out over 25 door prizes donated by local companies. Email or Call Yvonne  now for reservations at 315-487-3771 and join us for an evening of smart, clean and razor sharp comedy.  That’s 315-487-3771.

Bring your friends and neighbors and join us for an evening of smart, clean and razor sharp comedy.

Yvonne Conte, Motivational Humorist
Humor Advantage, Inc.
4736 Onondaga Blvd., Ste. 231
Syracuse, NY 13219
Yvonne Conte Website
Voice: 315.487.3771
Fax: 315.487.5633
E-mail Yvonne here

The Truth About St Patrick!

After the dead of winter, St Patrick’s Day is a welcome sign of spring. It’s a day when everyone claims to be Irish. We wear green shamrocks, eat corned beef, watch parades and wear silly hats. It’s an all day celebration. The patron saint of Ireland is one of Christianity’s most widely known figures. Over 3 million people line the streets of NY and 180,000 happy people are part of the largest and oldest parade every year. But how many of us really know the truth about this day of joy?  Let’s take a closer look at this world-wide holiday and separate the fact from the blarney!

It all started at the end of the forth century – not in Ireland, but in Great Britain where a little boy was born Maewyn Succat. At 15 he was kidnapped by Irish Marauders and taken to Ireland where he was imprisoned. After six years, he escaped walking nearly 200 miles to safety. Once back Britain, he had a vision from God to return to Ireland and help the very people who had taken him. He studied more than 15 years and became a priest, took the name Patrick and convert the Irish to Christianity. Folklore has him driving the snakes out of Ireland.  Truth be told, it was a metaphor. There were never any snakes on the island, but he did cleanse the island of paganism. We think of the Shamrock as a good luck charm, however St. Patrick introduced the shamrock as an easy way to explain the Holy Trinity to the Irish people.  Three parts and yet one-brilliant!

The Irish are famous for oral legends and myth, leprechauns and lucky charms and so it is no surprise that the story of Patrick’s life became entwined with symbolism over time. However the truth of his life is a far greater story and one we can all learn from. This is a story of a man  who came from a horrific situation, a small boy taken from his family, enslaved,  who was able to inspire a nation, introduce them to a strong faith and completely change the color green to be a symbol of a nation.  No matter what your beginning is….it’s what you do with your life that really matters. Go out and do your part to make this a better world for those who come after you!  I can almost hear the bagpipes! Happy St. Paddy Day!

Yvonne Conte, Motivational Humorist
Humor Advantage, Inc.
4736 Onondaga Blvd., Ste. 231
Syracuse, NY 13219
Yvonne Conte Website
Voice: 315.487.3771
Fax: 315.487.5633
E-mail Yvonne here

The Laughtertude Club: Laughter and a Good Attitude, A Winning Combination!

Are you annoyed by rude, ungrateful people? What are they so angry about?  When you are cut off on the highway or sassed by a store clerk do you walk away cursing them under your breath or do you find yourself praying for God to bring them a tiny bit of Joy? It makes sense to me that if you don’t do anything to fix a problem, you may be part of the problem.

I’ve got a few people in my life who annoy me. They have bad attitudes. They complain about everything. They are rude. I pray for them all – even the ones I don’t particularly like. I’ve been praying for the same souls for years with no visible change. Then lo and behold… miracles. Suddenly the hateful neighbor is a joy to be around, the rude clerk actually gave me a smile and the family member who will go nameless, actually was grateful for something yesterday. I almost fell off my chair. What happened? When you pray for someone you are wishing them well. I think simply sending good wishes their way day after day, month after month and in some cases year after year, they were able to feel that love and move out of their misery.  It’s just a theory. However it happened, my life is easier now that the people around me are happier. Their attitude toward life changed by receiving a friendly smile when they didn’t deserve it, a reassuring hug after a barrage of complaints or a consistent wish for happiness silently sent. Read more

Influence

It was Sunday Morning. The soothing voice of Charles Osgood offered a list of  important people who died during 2009.  He remembered  how they made a difference in our lives by the way they lived.

As I  listened to the stories and watched the faces of scientists,  movie stars, pop stars and legends fill the television screen, I thought not of those who have left this world, but of those who were born into it.  Precious new lives were created this year.  Miracles babies, 216,000 of them were born every single day into a world they know nothing about.  I wondered what contributions they would make and how they would change this world.  What would they become?  How will they be influenced? Whose actions will motivate them and whose believes will shape their minds?

Instantly I had an aha moment. The massive responsibility we have as adults became  almost overwhelming.  Every single thing we do, each word we utter and every action we take, will be observed by the children in our lives. And they will be affected by it.  That made me want to be a better person, immediately.

Sociologists tell us that even the most introverted person will influence 10,000 people in his or her lifetime! Some will be a good influence and others… not so much.  I don’t think we realize how important our actions, thoughts and beliefs are, not just to our own children but to the little boy who sees us being rude in a store.  To the child who plays quietly while his dad disrespects his mother.  Or to the little girl in a passing car who watches us toss a soda can out the window.  Children are everywhere, in restaurants, shops, schools, churches, neighborhoods and malls. They are little sponges, soaking up the influence we innocently offer them.

If we want to change this world for the better, we need to be very aware of how we influence those who will be running it in the future.  Just a thought.

~~~

Yvonne Conte, Motivational Humorist
Humor Advantage, Inc.
4736 Onondaga Blvd., Ste. 231
Syracuse, NY 13219
Yvonne Conte Website
Voice: 315.487.3771
Fax: 315.487.5633
E-mail Yvonne here

Kindness

Kindness is one of my favorite words. I remember seeing a sign in a second hand shop that said, “Kindness Practiced Daily”.  It was no surprise to find the lady that worked in that shop was a sweet, kind lady. She made everyone who came into the shop feel welcomed.  I am always drawn to people who are genuinely kind-hearted. I aspire to be known as a kind person.  That’s why I love the holiday season so much- kindness seems to be everywhere. People open the door for you, neighbors exchange cookies, we sing, we laugh and all is merry. What happens to all that kindness once the tree is at the curb?  We all know people who seem to put kindness away with the Christmas decorations. What can we do to change that? Read more

The Positive Power of Humor

Yvonne Conte shares her philosophy on the positive power of humor in the video below.

Yvonne Conte, Motivational Humorist
Humor Advantage, Inc.
4736 Onondaga Blvd., Ste. 231
Syracuse, NY 13219
Yvonne Conte Website
Voice: 315.487.3771
Fax: 315.487.5633
E-mail Yvonne here

Wit, Wisdom and Good Health at the Marley Education Center

Is your mother, brother or best friend  a control freak, a martyr or a perfectionist ?  Are you a whiner, a complainer or a pessimist? Stress and Humor Expert, Yvonne Conte  has a cure for each of you.  Conte promises to show you a new way to enjoy life right now with her award winning keynote;  The Positive Power of Humor on November 10th at the Marley Education Center,  765 Irving Avenue in Syracuse.

Conte is a well respected,  international Motivational Humorist and Keynote Speaker and has been spreading her mirth for over 15 years.  Organizations and corporations world wide use her to motivate, entertain and empower employees and co-workers.  She is Founder and Director of Fun at  Humor Advantage, Incorporated  and offers ideas of ways to reduce stress in life on the companies web page http://www.yvonneconte.com.  She is the author of five books on the subject of humor, laughter and joy and can be heard locally every Wednesday morning on the Gary Dunes show on WSEN Radio.

“It’s a lot easier to be optimistic and resilient then to whine, worry and stress over what life hands us.”  says Conte,  “Come find out how to look at life from a new perspective.”  Find out how to bring up successful, happy, healthy children.  Learn how laughing will  strengthen your relationships, your immune system and your heart rate!
This event is sponsored by Crouse Hospital and is free and open to the public.  Refreshments will be offered at 5:30p.m.  Ms. Conte begins at 6:30p.m.   Seating is limited.  Please call to register at 315/472-2464.

Yvonne Conte, Motivational Humorist
Humor Advantage, Inc.
4736 Onondaga Blvd., Ste. 231
Syracuse, NY 13219
Yvonne Conte Website
Voice: 315.487.3771
Fax: 315.487.5633
E-mail Yvonne here

Quick & Easy, Down & Dirty Stress Tips from Yvonne

There are workshops, seminars, talk shows, c.d.’s, dvd’s and books  on this subject and yet we just don’t have it conquered yet.   Everyone seems to be STRESSED!

I’m so stressed Nonni!
Last week my grandson Joey was playing with his trains. All of a sudden he let out a big growl – “AHHHHH!”  I said,  “Joey, what’s the matter?”  He said, “Thomas wont stay on the track no matter what I try. I’m so stressed Nonni!”  He’s three!

When we allow our bodies to experience stress without relief, that stress eventually becomes chronic illness and disease.  Follow these ten rules to reduce your stress and be a healthy influence on the people around you.

1. Go To TV Rehab!
I was addicted to TV.  I watched All My Children Soap Opera for over 35 years – never missed a show until one day I made the decision to stop watching.  Now I’ve got an hour a day that I didn’t have for over 35 years.  We never have enough time and TV is a big time waster. Get the headlines and the basic information you need but start and end your day with something funny, uplifting or inspirational. Surround yourself with the books, TV, movies,  magazines, people and experiences that support and sustain a positive, stress free, happy, healthy life.

2. Learn How to Sigh
I sigh all the time.  People wonder what I’m doing. I don’t care. I know it’s good for me.  When you are stressed your breathing  becomes shallow. You hold your breath. Take a deep breath and release that tension instantly. Oxygen flows to the cells, energy  moves throughout your body.  Fill every cell of your body with air.  Feel your belly expand.  Hold it a few seconds. Now let it out with a sound – ahhhhhhhh.  Notice how your shoulders drop and your body relaxes.  Read more

Seven steps to a humor filled life – Yvonne Conte

1. Keep funny people in your life
Make friends with the funniest people at work
Stay connected with the funny friends you have
Listen to fun-filled radio shows

2. Buy silly things
Keep toys at the office
Always have a clown nose on hand or ….on nose

3. Start a humor library
Read funny books written for, by or about comedians
Collect funny cartoons
Collect DVD’s/videos/ books that make you laugh Read more

Office Clown – the new business tool

Humor consultant Yvonne Conte says, “Oddly enough, laughter may be the secret to success.”

The bottom line got you down?  Your tax collector at your door??  Summer rain storms got you in a flurry?  Just hold on to your tummy, and if you don’t have one just hold on to the person next to you, and laugh, laugh, laugh!  Humor is one of the best ways to get through the stress of spills, bills and summertime ills.   The truth is, it is impossible to feel bad while experiencing a good hard belly laugh. The next time you have a day when everything seems to go wrong, don’t go telling everyone in the office your troubles, chances are, they don’t know what they’re doing either!!

Choose to see the humor in the situation.  Cracking up with a co-worker not only feels good, it does good.  Read more

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