Okay, I’ve had it.  Fiscal cliffs, elected officials, desertification, homelessness, elephant poachers, capital gains, women’s health funds, underfunded public education, elected officials, dying newspapers, Lance Armstrong, Mopac at 5 o’clock, aging, abandoned children, cats and dogs.  It’s all too much.  Time for some silliness (if the aforementioned wasn’t the right kind).

Do the following at critical junctures of your day, while reading email, talking on the phone – or my personal favorite – after I’ve done something particularly stupid.  It costs nothing, never fails to provide perspective and can be used at home, in the office, car or plane.

You’ll find this trick rarely fails to make you feel absolutely ridiculous — which for some reason opens a world of boundless possibilities.  Here goes:

(1).  If you know a basic swing dance step, skip to the next paragraph.  If not do the following:

• Stand feet together
• Lift one foot (ladies, your right; gentlemen, your left).  Put it back down.  That’s Tap-Step.
• Other foot:  Tap, Step.
• First foot:  Step backwards and then bring the foot back in place.  That’s Rock Behind.
• So, that’s the basic swing:  1st foot – Tap.Step.  2nd foot: Tap.Step.  First foot:  Rock Behind.

(2).  When you’re comfortable with the basic step, add a simple variation, a turn:

• 1st foot: Tap. Step.
• 2nd foot:  Tap. Step.
• 1st foot:  Rock Behind BUT as you bring your foot back into place, place it perpendicular to the other foot, pivoting 1/4 turn away from your 2nd foot.  Bring the foot down in a step to pivot back around and face your (virtual partner).

(3).  Now, add music.  I prefer The Jingle Bell Rock.  It is faster-acting than other options I’ve tried, particular when it’s not December.

The Chipmunks do a fine rendition of the classic “Jingle Bell Rock.”

Use this tool with a music-playing device, device-less or device-free, depending on your attitude.  You can sing to accompany yourself.  Here are the lyrics.  Learning them also helps with memory loss.  I’m not sure about hair or weight loss, but could it hurt?

My January IP to you:  Silliness.  We’re going to need it.

p.s.  Here’s the swing in action, but caution:  Don’t allow yourself to be put in a mold. It’s the spirit of the thing.  Innovate.