The Healing Power of Laughter
My daughter and I took a trip to the library the other day. While we were checking out our books, I overheard an older gentleman raising his voice at the desk employee. He was clearly very upset about something. It was hard not to listen because we were merely a few feet away. I thought that whatever happened to this man must have been serious due to the way he was speaking. Ella said he was a “grouchy granny”—for any of my fellow Bluey fans out there, you’ll catch that reference from the “Grouchy Grannies” episode! It turns out he was yelling at the librarians working the desk because there was a draft while he was reading, and he was cold. He reminded them that this wasn’t the first time he had made this complaint. He demanded that the air vents be moved. As in reconstructing this brand-new library’s air system and vent locations. He wanted to place a formal complaint to the branch managers and to whoever constructed the building. He said he shouldn’t have to bring a sweater to enjoy a book in a brand-new facility. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I had to agree with Ella—he was a grouchy granny. I left the library feeling bad for the desk attendants and sorry for the man who chose to react that way. If only he could focus on the healing power of laughter.
Picture a moment that brought you the giggles. Maybe a moment with your friends or your kids. Perhaps you didn’t even know why you were laughing. But that moment was etched in your brain because it was a moment of joy. I bet the second you thought of it you smiled just from the memory. I think there is a direct correlation between choosing joy, bringing laughter, and the way our daily interactions and experiences play out. Look for the good and you’ll find. Look for all the negatives and that’s exactly what you’ll see. That’s why YouTube videos of babies laughing hysterically always go viral. Can you watch one of those and not crack a smile or laugh along? Who is the person who brings joy and laughs to your family or group of friends? My grandma usually brings about laughter when my family is together. Her random, and usually unintended, comedic presence is something I wish everyone could experience at least once. We all know the man from the library sure could use a laugh or two. In one of my recently recorded podcast episodes, I share a quote that I want to share with you all today. It deals with the pursuit of happiness vs. finding joy. I believe one of the truest forms of joy is laughter.
“Chasing happiness is a terrible idea.
It creates chaos and distorts reality.
Happiness is a byproduct of overcoming extraordinary challenges.
It comes in glimpses. It is not a way of life.
Instead, chase strength. Relationships. Humility. Courage. Vulnerability. Service. Discipline.
These will bring you happiness, as well as heartache, inconvenience, and grief.
But they will also bring you the one thing chasing happiness cannot:
Joy.” -@johndelony
I read this and I thought, YES—the grass always seems greener on the other side. But if you stop admiring the grass on the other side of the fence and decide to just water your own—you can find joy in the simple everyday moments. Waking up every morning being positive and deciding you are going to have a good day is a choice. It takes mental discipline and a mind shift. It takes deliberate effort, but boy is it worth it! Stop chasing the “greener” pastures. Start smiling when you pass a stranger. Smiles are contagious and wouldn’t you rather spread joy through kindness and laughter than the alternative…a grouchy granny. Start waving at your neighbors. Start asking people how they are and then wait to really listen to the answer. Stop to observe a butterfly landing on a flower and whisper to yourself, “I am here, and I am grateful.” Decide to laugh at something funny. Decide to choose joy.
This isn’t all random butterfly and rainbow talk. There have been actual scientific studies on optimism leading to living longer. A 2019 Harvard study found that the optimistic participants in the study were 5.4% more likely to live longer and 10% more likely to live past 90 years old than the more pessimistic participants. There have been similar studies at the Boston University School of Medicine and the University of Alabama. (Harvard study linked at the bottom) Don’t get me wrong, I know there are tough times for everyone, but the only things you can control in life are your attitudes and actions. Like our little guy smiling throughout his ENTIRE first soccer game the other day—let’s copy his attitude. Let’s smile even if we trip over our own feet, remember not to take life so seriously that we forget to laugh when we do, and most importantly make the daily decision not to be a GROUCHY GRANNY.
Have a great weekend and as always, happy reading.
