Lynn's Laughter Blip for January

By Lynn Shaw, Laugh Therapist

Humor cannot always be shared. Humor is learned and isn't always appreciated by more than the interpreter. There has to be an intellectual connection as well. Laughter, on the other hand, is innate and can be shared. 

Did you laugh at the last joke you heard? Do you enjoy certain television shows that other family members despise? Do you laugh uproariously at a commercial only to find your friend looking over at you in dismay? 

For the purpose of applying laughter to your daily life and the healing of your mind, body and spirit, think of humor as the brain waves jumpstarting your laughter. 

Become aware of what you interpret as funny. For example next time you purchase a card, discover which ones elicited laughter. Read cartoons, bumper stickers, billboard signs to enhance your awareness of what generates laughter. When people tell stories, pay attention to how you felt afterwards. Did you laugh? Reflect on which radio, TV shows or movies make you laugh. Armed with this new awareness, use the tool of humor to induce laughter for your health, healing and general sense of well-being. 

Finally, spend time daily practicing laughing out loud. Maybe smiling first, then leaning into a giggle, then outright belly laughs. Now move beyond thinking about laughter and humor. Go ahead . . . it's safe . . . you can do it…ready, get set, laugh!

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Copyright (c) 2002 Lynn Shaw. All rights reserved. For permission to publish this article, email contact@selfhealingexpressions.com