He started the call with “you’ll never believe what just happened…”
Always a good way to start a story, don’t you think?
As he quickly, but intriguingly, related the story, I began to laugh. At first it was one of those “Oh dear I want to laugh but don’t think I should” kind of laughs. However, as the story progressed, I couldn’t help it. Deep, rumbling belly laughs erupted. There was no way to contain them.
And then he began to laugh too as he finished the story.
Tears leaked from my eyes. I hiccupped while trying to control the laughter and ask some sort of follow up question that made a modicum of sense.
It was no use. The story was simply too funny! I couldn’t stop laughing.
Sometimes life is hilarious.
Even though the circumstances surrounding the story meant spending a tidy sum to resolve it, he exhibited a great sense of humor along with understanding that life with kids has these moments.
There’s a sign in my home that says,
It hangs in the center of our home as a reminder that life is meant to be lived to the full with laughter and love.
A cheerful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.
Research backs up what the Bible has been telling us for millennia.
Mental health experts tell us that laughter helps our heart, brings relaxation to our entire body, creates hormone changes that affect our immune systems, and can even temporarily relieve pain. You can also manage conflict through a healthy use of humor. Now that’s pretty cool.
I get it. Life isn’t always funny. Sometimes it is heart-breaking, gut-wrenching. But the older I get, the more I realize that life is much funnier than I often admit.
What part of your story will you tell with laughter? How can you re-orient your mind to focus on joy and gratitude instead of doom and gloom?
Find something in your life, in your story, that is hilarious. Throw your head back today and laugh! A hearty, gut-level belly laugh that brings tears to your eyes.
You might find that a healthy round of laughter will do more for your heart, mind, and spirit than anything else.
Does laughter strike you often or are you more the serious type? Leave a comment below.
If you need help, please reach out. I promise to listen without judgment and help you take the next step.
