It’s great to laugh at the jokes we create and the humour others present to us and to see ourselves in a jovial light feels the best of all. We are each prone to err, and the more that we are able to step back from our feelings and gain a different perspective, the more we are able to embrace the solution. It is important that we each come to our own understanding of being able to laugh at ourselves and getting to that point can be difficult when serious emotions and consequences are at play. Respecting the process and the time it takes to be able to forgive, whether it be ourselves or another person, is a step that cannot be overlooked.
When we are able to face life and smile, feeling our drawbacks and challenges, all the while delighting in the small gifts that each day brings then we are able to offer the humour that may, in turn, brighten another’s day. We are able to acknowledge our imperfections without feeling less than because we can acknowledge our strengths.
And the health benefits of laughing? There are many benefits from laughter for our health stemming from the brain, specifically the amygdala and hippocampus of the limbic system; our breath quickens and the diaphragm moves in successions that massage the transverse side of the large intestine. We find relief from stress and as we smile our eyes widen, capturing more light and we can feel physically, mentally, and emotionally better.
Whether it be fart jokes that cause an outburst of giggles, a new silly filter for your selfies, a clever comedy show, and journaling the course of your day with a newly gained perspective that allows for the levity to sleep peacefully and with a sense of inspiration. While life continually presents circumstances that highlight personal and societal powerlessness, seeking to appreciate the here and now relates a sense of sanity and wholeness. In turn, clarity, open-mindedness, and hope bring acceptance and that which comes shortly thereafter: levity.
