Saturday, April 25, 2009

Laughter


We have a 'Theme Dinner' every month here at Chambrel. The most recent was 'Chamelot,' where two of our men dressed as Sir Lancelot and Percival had a duel with swords. Everyone in the dining room exploded in laughter as each man tried to pierce the other with their flexible swords.


No matter our mood, once we start to laugh, everything else dissipates. Laughter endears us to one another, it connects us in an elemental way. Really good relationships are those where people laugh at the same things.


Laughter cuts down tension which can cause hypertension, ulcers, frustration and unhappiness. Moreover if you could be more light-hearted, nonchalant and less serious in most situation, it will be beneficial to you. The experts say: "People who find it hard to laugh at themselves are often very defensive and depressed. Whereas people who easily laugh at themselves are secure, comfortable and composed and their self-respect is intact."


Taken from an article written by Leslie Garcia, Staff Writer of the Dallas News: A hearty laugh dispels cares, worries, doubt and relieves the great strain of modern life. "Laughter involves every major system in your body," a quote from Annette Goodheart. She continues: "Your diaphragm convulses, causing all internal organs to be massaged. Your muscles relax, your blood is highly-oxygenated, you enhance your cardiovascular fllexibility." Laughter, pure and unadulterated, till-you-cry, hold-your-sides, wet-your pants,upend-your-giggle-box, can-hardly-breathe, is your gift to yourself and those around you.


Abraham Lincoln once said: "With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh, I should die."




Mark Twain commented: "The human race has only one really effective weapon and that is laughter."




Will Rogers added: "We are all here for only a spell, so get all the good laughs you can."


From a practical stand point, laughter can make you feel better. Laughter stimulates your muscles, circulates brain activity and hormones, and soothes your mind. It gives you a feeling of greater security in the face of threats or challenges and it exands your mind.


If 'non-laughers' became laughers, they would get relief from their problems because humor and happiness are a natural twosome. Finally, we don't laugh because we're happy, we're happy because we laugh.






Laugh and the whole world laughs with you,


Weep and you weep alone.


For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,


But has trouble enough of its own.


Elle Wheeter Cos





2 comments:

Lisa Smith said...

Laughter is good medicine! Thanks for the reminder. (Laughing at myself gives me lots to laugh about!!)

xoxo

steve mitchell said...

your blog is too good to laugh at, but will make a point to laugh at someething else today