There is amazing power in laughter, and in humour. I am one of those who believe in the power of the smile, both to make me and those around me happier and stronger.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox said “Laugh and the world laughs with you.” Smile and the world smiles also, I can guarantee at least most of the time.
Peter Ustinov said “Laughter is the most civilized music in the world.”
Well, this week I would like to write about laughter and humour because unless we integrate them into our lives, maintaining health and happiness becomes quite difficult.
This week I worked with two clients who are dealing with life threatening conditions, and through our conservations both have admitted to the fact they do not even recall when they last laughed, a real laugh that came from their heart. We are not talking about the polite smiles at work, or the pressured laugh at friend’s birthday party.
When was the last time you laughed?
How frequently do you laugh in a day? In a week? In a month?
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Did you know that ‘a sense of humour’ is cited as the most sexually attractive trait in surveys? More seems to be involved in real attractions than our body parts. Many psychologists agree that laughter opens up our senses, as well as our mind.
Laughter also seems to affect our endocrine systems, and produce natural painkillers and increase our immune system.
I have believed that growing up and getting older meant being more serious. I could not totally manage it, but tired to be more reserved that what was natural to me. I do not anymore.
I do not watch the news in the evenings anymore. I do read the paper, but not first thing in the morning anymore. I save that for times during the day where my subconscious is more protected and aware of the negative input bombardment. What you see, read or hear does affect you, whether you believe, accept or even want to take it in. The second you are in contact, the input, the information is in your system.
The news say that the world is not a safe place, that the economy is crashing and life standards will fall. If you are listening to these news without awareness, like when you are just up in the morning, or about to sleep in the evening, or just dozing off on the couch on a Sunday afternoon, you are being sold to this information as true. Whether you know or accept it or not. Your subconscious cannot differentiate between what is really true and what is just being told as someone’s perspective on what seems to be taking place.
So somewhere in your being a part of you believes that the world is not safe, and act accordingly. And you will find yourself questioning why you are afraid to try even the smallest new things. A part of you is doing crisis management, and you are not even aware.
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There are so many different stories and battles that are taking place in our personalities, in our bodies that we are not aware. Yet, as soon as we open ourselves to this possibility, we can do something to stop creating useless and even dangerous new influences to our physical, emotional and mental health.
Affirmations are great tools to reprogram thoughts and beliefs that do not serve us anymore.
And also happiness, laughter, humour increase our energy levels to the highest of our potential. They indeed do. And in that state, all that seem to trouble us become apparent and surmountable.
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Exercises of the Week:
1- This week as you go out, or just while you are walking in the street, try to catch people’s eyes and smile at them. (They may or may not smile back at you, but the changes are most of them will.)
2- Watch at least one comedy film or show this week.
3- Buy yourself or borrow a comic book or a cartoon book and read it allowing yourself to smile or laugh as you feel.
4- Catch yourself when (and if) you are frowning and turn it into a smile. Whether you are alone or with others.
5- And finally an affirmation: “I am usually cheerful, and bring a sense of lightness to my life and the lives of others.”
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May you journey be filled with joy and happiness.
With love and light,
Zeynep
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Awareness of the Week: Cheerfulness
Affirmation of the Week:“I am in a joyous, intimate relationship with a person who truly loves me.”
By Louise L. Hay
Quote of the Week:
“Do not try to explain feelings. Live everything intensely and treasure what you feel as a gift from God.”
From “Brida” by Paulo Coelho
“The Road Less Travelled” By M. Scott Peck
The Turkish translation of the book may be found under the name “Az Seçilen Yol”.
