Posted February 10, 2009

It was spring in Chicago this past Sunday and a great day to get out the motorcyle for the first time this year.   Ahhhhhhhh.  What a joy and a pleasure.  If you ride, you know what I mean, and if you don’t, it can’t be fully explained.  Like water and snow skiing, it is exhilarating and fills all your senses to the brim - “Blows the stink off you,” as my mother used to say.

I think the warm winds of spring, the sunshine and blue sky will make us all feel better, and give us a more positive perspective on the economy.  I know being out on the bike on a beautiful day has given me a more positive view today as I write this.

But back to the business of play.  Our team has put its nose to the grindstone over the last eight weeks and created some sensational products.  One project was largely completed last Friday, and using the metaphor (or is that a simile?) of my friend Ron Weingartner, the product ‘sings.’  That is to say, it is elegant, exquisite, it makes you smile, it grabs you by the proverbial short hair, and makes you go, "Oohhh, is that cute!"

Great products need to elicit some form of  visceral and instinctive response.  A great toy will do one of three things:

• Astound and amaze (the ‘Oh Wow!' factor)
• Make you laugh hysterically (a few chuckles won’t cut it)
• Grab your heartstrings, and make girls go ‘Ooooh.’ (I love it when they do that!)  Be achingly cute and adorable.

Our TMX Elmo did the first two.  It astounded and amazed, as well as made young and old laugh til they cried. A friend related a story of a woman he knew grieving from the recent loss of her husband. He watched as she took out her granddaugher's TMX Elmo to play with.  She explained that she often did that when she was feeling particularly sad, and that it always made her feel better. That is the power of laughter.

From watching others play with TMX Elmo I learned about the very real benefits of laughter. It has been proven to have real positive benefits on our health and well being.  Go out and make someone laugh today, and go ahead and have a good laugh or two yourself (just not at the expense of others). Laughter heals, restores and renews. Laughter does a body good. The world could use more laughter. Lots more. We are doing out part. “We bring laughter to life!”

Comments (2)

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written by Deborah, February 10, 2009

Bruce:

I do know what you mean. Having the bike out last Saturday was a treat. Today isn't too bad either, but in the office instead. Thanks for the cheerful thoughts today.

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written by bruce, February 10, 2009

Glad you got out on your bike. I am in the office today as well on this incredible day, but Spring is coming. Just give me a good road, on a sunny day, rolling along on a bike with the roar of the engine, and the buffeting of the winds, and I am at peace with the world.

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