Life isn’t short, says Dr. Steven Allen, son of famed comedian Steve Allen. Life is actually pretty long and drawn out, so it’s worth filling with a little foolishness sometimes.

For retailers and exhibitors winding up the Luxury by JCK Show and preparing to tackle The JCK Show, Allen gave some tips on how to make humor part of your daily business. To help relax the intense group of exhibitors and retailers, Allen provided each with three fluorescent-colored scarves during a breakfast Thursday sponsored by House Beautiful magazine and the Prestige Promenade of The JCK Show.

In a series of steps, he explained to the group the fundamentals of juggling, including the most important move-the guilt-free drop.

“Watch it float down without any guilt,” he said, contrasting it to the pressure felt when you fall short on something in your business or personal life.

As jewelers set out to face the daunting task of firming up in one week the business contacts for an entire year, Allen encouraged them to think about the silliness of children and their pleasure in life. In our society, silly has come to mean inane and stupid, he said. The word has its roots, however, in these terms: blessed, prosperous, happy, and healthy.

The first step in putting a little comic relief into daily stress is laughter. “You have to be ready to laugh at yourself,” he said. “It is the best use of humor.” Find out what makes you laugh, even in those stressful times.

“Give yourself permission to laugh,” he said. “You may or may not need the [juggling] props, but please give yourself permission to enjoy.”

JCK