Search This Blog

Subscribe By Email

Get Blog Posts Sent by Email

About This Blog

How to Comment on Blog Posts

The spot for the good news, the good word, the quick reports of the many, many wonderful news items I hear all the time and want to share with the rest of you. Expect to find the good news when you come to check out "what’s the good word?"

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Laugh

Last Sunday afternoon on the way home from Director’s Retreat I was casually listening to The Vinyl Café, which I often find at least mildly amusing should I happen to be travelling in the car at the right time. In this case, Stuart McLean was interviewing Andrea, the third generation member of her family to manage Russell Books in Victoria, BC. Because I previously enjoyed a 23 year career in the Canadian book industry, I was casually following the conversation when I was surprised by the sound of Andrea’s hearty laugh. The sound was so genuine and compelling that I was startled! You could tell from the easy and natural sound that this was a person who laughs a lot. It was wonderful.

As I thought about this, I realized the reason the sound of this woman’s laughter was so startling is because it is a sound I don’t hear all that often. Further, I came to see that I don’t laugh nearly enough myself; in fact hardly at all. Somehow, life has become far too serious. These days we all seem to work too hard and play too little. As ridiculous as that is, I’m quite sure none of us are the least bit amused.

The health benefits of a good laugh have long been known. Laughter has been shown to reduce pain levels, increase a person’s energy, strengthen the immune system, and even offer protection from the damaging effects of stress. Further, it reduces tension between people and lessens conflict. And the best thing about this remarkable therapy is that you don’t need a medical plan to access it; it is absolutely free!

So why don’t we laugh more? In fact, why don’t we do something about this? How be if we all do something good for ourselves today, and have a good laugh? Its really not that hard. And just in case you need a little help, here’s a link that will help you. You have probably seen these laughing quadruplet babies before, but they are worth watching again, and I know you will at least smile. Click here.

There now, don’t you feel better?

Posted by Carman

3 comments:

  1. I am so blessed to work with a woman who has an amazing sense of humour a little odd and crazy but amazing all the same. Not a day goes by that I don't have a least 1 "gut belly" laugh. We work with teens in a highschool with many different issues and humour has gotten us through some crazy moments. I was glad to see Carman's post about humour. I am sure God has a great one. Thank goodness!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kelly, your co-worker sounds wonderful. We should all have such people in our lives, and value them appropriately.

    Thanks for sharing this part of your journey.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I loved your word for the day! You are right, we don’t laugh nearly as often or as much as our health and spirits require. We tend to think of laughter as frivolous and foolish, instead of bringing wholeness and healing. Thanks for the good word Carman!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.