Ravi Shankar Quote

To date, this is the best quote I have found about laughter. I begin all my programs with it:

"Laughter comes from the center of our being,

from the core of our heart.

Our belly is so full of laughter

that the laughter permeates every cell in our body.

True laughter is true prayer.

When you laugh, the whole of nature laughs with you.

It echoes and resounds and makes life worthwhile.

When things go all right, everybody can laugh.

But when things fall apart and yet you laugh,

This is evolution and growth.

Nothing in your life is more worthy than your laughter."

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Photo: Wikimedia

Laughter Yoga Feedback

Some of my new laughter club members left some great feedback on Laughter Yoga recently:

“What an astounding experience! Our room full of strangers was expertly guided through an extensive laughter workout. Everyone's unique laughter personality emerged in this safe, encouraging hour and there were no more strangers at the end!”

“Great experience. The leader is very friendly and welcoming. It was great 'exercise' and the happiness lasted well into the next day. I plan on taking the lesson into my everyday life.”

“I loved the class and the entire laughing experience! I did 2 minutes of laughing this morning and it felt great!”

“Like a barrel full of monkeys”

Thanks everyone!!!

Comedians for President

I’ll admit it – I’ve been around long enough to remember Pat Paulsen’s ’68 run for President. Though I wasn’t old enough to understand the issues, I was old enough to find Paulsen hysterically funny.

As it often is for me, it was his body language that did it. His total dry delivery. He did it better than anyone. It didn’t matter what he said, he had me in stitches. From The Smothers Brothers Show, he is an indelible image from my childhood. As well as my first remembrance of anyone running for President. He would have won my vote hands down had they given children the right to vote.

His infamous campaign slogan: “I’ve upped my standards, now up yours.”

On immigration: “All the problems we face in the US today can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian.”

“If either the left wing or the right wing gained control of the country, it would probably fly around in circles.”

Now it’s Stephen Colbert. He hands his Super PAC over to Jon Stewart in a funny little skit and heads to South Carolina to test the ground. I doubt Colbert will ever come close to being what Paulsen was for me in the 60’s, but I applaud him for trying.

I love when comedians run for President because if any arena needs humor, it’s the political one. As I’ve said many times, humor = truth, or else it wouldn’t be funny. And we all need to hear more truth.

Photo: Pat Paulsen/Wikimedia

Never Get Old

“You don’t stop laughing when you get old. You get old when you stop laughing.”

Photo: Dr. Kataria and a laughing friend/Laughter Yoga International

Tita's Powerful Story

My friend and fellow Certified Laughter Leader Tita Begashaw shares her powerful story on KPLU’s radio show The State We’re In. Check it out. Tita is from Ethiopia and is an inspiration to many of us.

Also know that there is more to Laughter Yoga than “just laughing”. This interview is a bit deceiving. We warm up those laughter muscles first with stretching, yoga-type breathing and chanting.

http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/laughter-therapy-helps-healing-process

Joy

Happiness is fleeting. Joy is forever.

Joy is deep inside us. It’s who we are and it’s what we touch when we laugh. It’s unconditional. It’s always there no matter what. For all it takes is a laugh to find it.

Happiness is conditional. When things are going well, we’re happy. Finances are in order. We have someone to love. We like our job. etc. etc. etc. But the moment things go awry, happiness flies out the window, and unhappiness settles in for awhile. Till things go well again. Till something else goes awry……….

Joy is not so fickle. It’s always available. The trick is to find it. Laughter is the best trick.

Alan Cohen said “Find your Source. Live from it.”