Day 535 Thursday September 2nd, 2021

“I walk around like everything’s fine, but deep down, inside my shoe, my sock is sliding off.”

Let’s Talk About Laughter

It's been grim lately. There's a litany of bad, sad news that seems to suck the laughter out of our souls... but then there is that deep down desire to laugh out loud and to forget reality - all of it - and get lost in mirth.

So Let's talk about laughter. How does it fit with compassion? I consider that laughter relates to self-compassion. It can certainly relax the body, it triggers the release of endorphin chemicals that relieve stress, boasts the immune system, and while it may take a lot of active laughing, it could help us burn off a few calories.

“Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.” —Jack Handey

Norman Cousins, in his book, Anatomy of An Illness, showed how high doses of vitamin C, laughter from watching Marx Brothers movies and viewing endless episodes of Candid Camera, helped relieve his pain and reverse a life-threatening illness. He famously said

Hearty laughter is a good way to jog internally without having to go outdoors.

Research informs us that humor is subjective to culture, shared history, and geography. So, whether your ulnar nerve (funny bone) is struck by the Marx Brothers, Monty Python, India's Zakir Khan, or Tasmanian born, Hannah Gadsby, just remember that laughter is a gift that keeps on giving.

“When your mother asks, ‘Do you want a piece of advice?’ it is a mere formality. It doesn’t matter if you answer yes or no. You’re going to get it anyway.” —Erma Bombeck

Let's experience some serious self-compassion through laughter. A first-grade teacher presented each child in her classroom with half of a well-known proverb and asked them to complete it. Read them out loud to increase the enjoyment. The first graders responses are in bold font.

Don't bite the hand that looks dirty.

Never underestimate the power of termites.

You can lead a horse to water but how?

No news is impossible.

A miss is as good as a Mr.

You can't teach an old dog new math.

Love all, trust me.

The pen is mightier than the pigs.

An idle mind is the best way to relax.

Where there's smoke there's pollution.

A penny saved is not much.

Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and you have to blow your nose.

Children should be seen and not spanked or grounded.

If at first, you don't succeed get new batteries.

When the blind lead the blind get out of the way.

A bird in the hand is going to poop on you.

So dear Sisters and Brothers let's laugh today just like...

- Marilyn Turkovich

(even animals get in the act...)