a repost from the
renawomy blog.
The Plastic Corpse
The say laughter is the best medicine. I love the following quote about laughter. “We are in the world to laugh. In purgatory or in hell we shall no longer be able to do so. And in heaven in would not be proper.” Jules Renard, Journal, June 1907.
So what is humor and why does it not always lead to laughter. Many of us feel that if we are laughing then people will look at us and wonder why we are laughing. There seems to be a moratorium on laughing out loud in public. If you are in a comedy club, fine. If you are in the coffee shop or heaven forbid a store, that is not an appropriate place. So instead of giving a good belly laugh, we subjugate our laughter and say, that was humorous. I say hogwash.
To me laughter is to be shared. In case you haven’t noticed laughter is contagious. Maybe that is why people are afraid of laughing in public places, they might start something.
I remember going to a show that was very, very funny. I couldn’t help myself. I couldn’t stop laughing. Now most people were laughing with me and enjoying themselves. There was a lady who kept giving me dirty looks and telling me to be quite. Talk about purgatory, I believe she was already there. Not because of my laughter or that of the audience, but because she was above humor and laughter. How very sad.
I know my male friends love the Three Stooges. For me, if I am a bit depressed I put on a Marx Brothers or Abbott and Costello movie and all is right with the world.
If there is one thing I have learned in life, laugh. It is good for you and really for those around you. Laughter is contagious. Pass on the contagion and laugh out loud. Soon the world will laugh with you. Remember, we are in the world to laugh!
*Laughing* I agree. I love to laugh. Laughing and dancing are two of my favorite things. I also love comedy shows. “Trinity is my Name” was one of my favorite movies and Monk is one of my favorite shows for tongue in cheek laughter and I think “Tool Time” was a funny show. I’m not much on stand up comedy, but there Jeanne Robertson who just cracks me up. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YFRUSTiFUs and Willie P. Richardson makes me laugh until I cry. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVP3otG3rCc. I really love the one about ‘moving houses’. I’m always looking for ways to laugh. Thanks for the lovely post. Cher’ley
LikeLike
Thank you. Laughing is so healthy. I will have to catch up on the links when I get home…thanks for posting them.
LikeLike
Yes, life is for enjoyment, not working so hard. You’re right, let’s laugh and laugh from your toes all the way up!
LikeLike
I saw a documentary on laughter once and it said that laughing helps your body’s coping mechanism. I know there are “laughter” groups that purport the exercises as a way to good health. Too bad what everyone else thinks – guess they’d rather everyone is just like them! Thanks for the post – enjoyed it!
LikeLike
Thank You. I found as I got older I wasn’t laughing as much as when I was a child. That really made me sit down and take stock…now, I just laugh.
LikeLike
I love Laughter Yoga. A friend of mine teaches it, in yoga studios and retirement homes. She gets 80 year old’s laughing, and smiling. Actually, laughter is medicine and exercise, too.
LikeLike
I love it too. It makes you laugh for sure. Cher’ley Thanks for reading our blog.
LikeLike
I had heard of Laughter Yoga. It sounds like a great mix of two great healing forms.
LikeLike
Yes, “downward facing dog” pose would be hard to hold while laughing.
LikeLike
Maybe the woman in the theater couldn’t hear what everyone else was laughing at and couldn’t figure out what was supposed to be so funny. Or maybe she was just cranky in purgatory!
LikeLike
I think she just was one of those who just didn’t get humor. Sad thought isn’t it, of course if you can’t laugh I think you are already in purgatory…..
LikeLike
“SMILE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN, LOVE AS LONG AS YOU CAN, AND ALWAYS KEEP ON LAUGHING. ” Nice blog.
LikeLike
Thank you Rod, I agree.
LikeLike
We are a family that loves to laugh. I will choose a comedy over a drama any day.
LikeLike
It is wonderful, isn’t it Jennifer. May you have many more years of laughter!
LikeLike