Quote

“If you can laugh at your own troubles you’ll always have something to laugh at.”

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April 1st

I met someone recently who was born on April 1st, when that date was both April Fool's Day and Easter.  What a great way to come into the world!  On a day both sacred and silly.  

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The Laughing Sutra

In Mark Salzman’s book, The Laughing Sutra, it is said “The reason the Laughing Sutra had been ignored was that few could recognize its true value.”

How often true of laughter itself.

911 Laughter

 The flames were rising 25, 30, 35 feet in the air.  No fire trucks anywhere and no sirens either.  This was the 2^nd fire I witnessed from my balcony.  The other one far worse, black smoke filled the sky and some died.  This one - no casualties, no injuries, but it was much closer to me.  Only two streets away.

Fire scares me.  It accelerates so fast and gets out of control so easily.

The 911 worker was very professional with me – efficient with that stay-calm tone in her voice.  The fire trucks came, the fire went out, eventually all the smoke dissipated and all is well, save for the fire damage.

I know one of those 911 workers from another city in another state.  I’ve marveled that she must have nerves of steel to take those life and death phone calls for a living.  What she told me was so surprising at first, but then made complete sense.  She and her co-workers laugh, they laugh a lot.  Once the crisis is over and everyone is okay.

I’ve said it many times: the higher the stress, the greater the need to laugh.  I have great appreciation for those who take responsibility for those emergency phone calls and I’m equally happy to know they use the power of laughter to help them do what they do.

Photo:  Stock.xchnge

My Ex Rex

My ex Rex is a good egg.

I’m pleased we have found that balance between being ex’s and remaining friends.

Nicole Brodeur, Seattle Times columnist, calls her ex-husband, her “was-band”, a term of endearment.  And wisely points out that you can’t spend too much time with them, but some is okay.

For me, if I can stick to three guidelines, all goes well:

1.     Stay away from the “issues”.

2.     Don’t ask about the new woman.

3.     And laugh laugh laugh.  Make sure we laugh.  Never too much laughter.

Then our friendship remains intact.

Turandot

In the opera Turandot, the beloved character Liu, a slave girl, claims she fell in love, long long ago, with the Prince Calaf because he once smiled at her.  An opera and a fairy tale yet it shows you the power of a smile.

Photo:  Seattle Opera

Angel Endorsement

 A new member arrived last month at the Laughter Club announcing that he needed more laughter in his life.  Not uncommon.

He then shared the fact that he received a channeled message from the angels that he was to laugh 12 times per day.  And that yes he should indeed come to the laughter club!

I went wild with the endorsement!!!  The angels told him to come!!!

Then he called me an angel! :)

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Usain Bolt

I posted a version of this four years ago.  I’ll repeat it here again as my favorite joyful athlete did it again!!!

Usain Bolt brings play and laughter to the Olympics.  I think it’s a great thing! 

He shows us how to be at one’s personal best and simultaneously have a good time.  With his play he engages us to play with him.  With his celebration of himself he invites us to celebrate with him.  With his playful spirit, he brings us along for the ride.

I have lectured to many employees on the value of laughter at work.  How the boss no longer needs to crack the whip to make everyone fall in line, get overly serious and get the job done; how often the opposite is true.

Thank you Usain Bolt for celebrating life and who you are.   For bringing more laughter to the Olympics.  For showing us how to play and get the job done.

Play, skill, and laughter are a successful combination.

Gabby Douglas Smiles

Gabby Douglas smiles as she does her thing.  Beautiful!