I was thinking of a gift that my grandson got this Christmas. He loves to read and loves to laugh and of course I am a big believer in giving books as gifts. So I got him this book “Would You Rather”. Never heard of it before but he played this game with me a few months ago and presented me with two scenarios, neither one would I choose mind you; something off-putting like would I rather eat a worm or smell like poop. What in the world? They do not even make sense or go together or in my stratosphere of thinking. But a 10-year old, funny funny funny. He says to me, “Rara, you got to pick”. Well let me to you, it hits his funny bone. The belly laughter that comes out of him when he laughs, really laughs, is infectious. Hits you right at the very heart of your being, making you feel so delightfully full of life.
So lately, I have been preoccupied with what makes the happy in my day. Just being joyful, spent in the happy. Well, for me it has been the moments when I laugh, smile, chortle, giggle, can hardly breathe stomach hurting kind of guffaw. I love to laugh and am finding that more and more about myself. Not that you want to get sick from howling like a banshee, but holy lightning when someone makes you laugh, tears stream down your eyes, it fills your whole body from head to toe. And funnily enough, it might not be funny to the person beside you. Which makes you laugh harder.
I find that’s hilarious when someone does not get the joke and you laugh at the seriousness of the situation. Some people are natural at being funny. Telling good jokes or even better, stories that you are not prepared for when they get to the punch line so to speak. Their sharp dry wit just comes out of their mouth and your eyes go BIG and think “what the…”. No I am not going to say a bad word, not my thing. Which reminds me, swearing for the sake of swearing, every second word is ….. (fill in the blank) you have to laugh….droll kind of hahaha…of the language. Hello. There are how many words in the English dictionary, pick one, anyone….yep thought so. No I am not prudish (yes I am kind of sort of, well hey I do not care for swearing for me) but some people can get away with putting the wit into swearing usage or however they get their point across. And I laugh. Okay, enough of confession!! Gee whiz.
My brother has a man-giggle that when you get him going it is irresistible. It is kind of like a tittering, teehee, tickling-the-tongue kind of giggle. He gets his tongue just between his teeth, his eyes start to light up, and off he goes. He gave it to me. How? Well, brotherly love, osmosis, conversion, squeezing me to death (he is a strong tall fella) who knows?? A mystery for the universe to solve but when he starts, I start too. Love it and love him for that. Moments of light-heartedness with my brother. So the apple does not fall far from the tree. For don’t get me started on my dad, sometimes what comes out of his mouth, well…good old Maritime humour for my whole life. Only dad. His sayings kind of get you and I have no idea what they mean. That is the funny part. But when dad laughs, when he hits the funny bone, oh my Lord!!! Now that is a sight to see.
Laughter is the best medicine. But maybe be careful of the uncontrollable laughter…you know because you could lose control of bodily functions. Be careful i all I am saying. Although I have to share here, I have seen people laugh, controlled and uncontrolled, when it might not be a good time in that moment. You know that I know that you know you have laughed at people getting hurt (tripping over feet, hit by a ball in you know where, falling down stairs, running into a glass door or wall, hammer missed the nail) or at a funeral. What?? Yeah. Not good. However, the worst is me and my girls. I do not laugh but get mad at the girls which is absolutely hysterical to them….my daughter falls down the stairs carrying pillows. She was hurt. Instead seeing if she is alright (of course I am doing that) I get angry at her for being reckless…really Karen. Where is your compassion? Are you a mother? They can tell you a ton of stories like that. I do not always react the way I should.
So chuckle…what hits the funny bone. I know that I do not. I am not a good joke teller, funny story teller, witty. Nope. But I certainly can appreciate humour.
Tweets….my grandpa had a Clapper on his bedroom light and he farted the lights off.
…friend’s prof was writing on the board. he farts. half turns towards the class and asks “what would you do if you were me?”
…my dog would not stop trying to eat this one cookie that was on the floor and i yelled -he rolled on his back, peed in the air
Concerned that he might have put on a few pounds, my husband exited the bathroom and asked, “Do you think my chin is getting fat?” I smiled lovingly and replied, “Which one?” —Julie Echelmeier
Cheesy pick up line….“Do you believe in love at first sight—or should I walk by again?”
I want someone who will look at me the same way I look at chocolate cake.
After a long time, I told my hot coworker how I felt. Turns out she felt the same way. So I turned on the air conditioning.
People say nothing is impossible. But I do nothing everyday.
Q: What do you call friends who love math? A: algebros
My mother was hard of hearing and wore a hearing aid that she removed at bedtime. My dad would wait till she had put it on her nightstand and say, “Do you want to go to sleep or what?” Not being able to hear, she would inevitably respond with “What?” And that, my dad joked to me on numerous occasions, is the explanation for why I come from a very large family. —Mimi Wright
So today is the day that laughter becomes a great friend to invite over. Make a space at the table. Be open to the flutter of wit, the gaggle of giggles, the roar of guffaws, the loudness of belly laughter. Oh to allow the day to be filled with laughter and joy amidst the hustle and bustle of the day ahead. No the problems and situations of our life do not go away but they sure do look different with love and tears of joy in one’s heart. Give into the funny bone…not literally. For it HURTS when you hit it.
Happiness is not by chance but by choice. Choose funny. Did you know that “to succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone” ~Rebecca McEntire. So would you rather laugh like a hyena or cry like a banshee. Bless this day.
Let us pray for those who need a life of hope and joy today.
Karenpondering 