Laughter

 
"The human race has one really effective weapon: laughter." Mark Twain

When I was in grade four, my teacher looked at me and said, "you are the saddest looking child I"ve ever seen." I don't ever remember laughing or having fun as a child. I was too scared....too preoccupied trying hard not to make anyone mad. I didn't want them flying into a rage. I didn't want them to hurt me. I never let my guard down. I never smiled and I never laughed.

My best friend Debbie and I have some of the best laughing times ever.... usually when both of us are tired. She says something...I laugh....which makes her laugh again.  Then I try to reply to what she said....I can't. I crack up. That starts the chain reaction with her laughing again.  Her laughing makes me laugh more and before you know it, the two of us are caught up in nonestop gales of laughter that goes on and on and on. I love when that happens. It's awesome...and a great release.

My youngest has that effect too. Sometimes when I feel stressed and need space...she comes and stands right in front of me making silly faces. When I tell her to go away, she makes a weird face and says something that cuts through my bad mood and cracks me up. The more I tell her to go away...the more she makes me laugh with her goofiness.Whatever I was upset or worried about.....ends up disappearing.. Laughing feels good.

I used to be really afraid of my emotions. I never laughed. I never cried. I was frozen inside. All I felt was fear. And I couldn't let my guard down....I couldn't relax....even a little....to let myself  laugh meant trusting life not to hurt me. I didn't believe that.

But I think now....laughing and even crying are gifts He gave us.....when things get too stressful....too overwhelming...laughing is such a great stress reliever.