It’s really great (and beneficial) to laugh often, especially at ourselves. It keeps things fresh and fun and helps us to “lighten up”. There are always challenges, obstacles and set-backs in life, but doing our best to find some humour in our day is most certainly a cost-effective coping technique! In fact, laughter has been proven to reduce stress, depression, anger, anxiety, improve circulatory & cardiovascular health, boost the immune system, improve digestion, alleviate pain, relax muscles and one good belly laugh burns off 3.5 calories!!!
Children laugh approximately 400 times a day; adults laugh 15; somewhere along the journey we have lost 385 laughs a day.
Last week I launched my first t-shirt design in the “Share good – Feel good” campaign. I was so excited that I told a few people I was going to do cartwheels. I put on my magical shirt which makes a person want to do all sorts of “good and fun” things and headed outside.
Our youngest daughter was visiting us so she put a shirt on as well and we got geared up for our performance. It was surprisingly mild outside despite the snow, about -5 degrees celcius (and yes, we typically do wear coats in this weather)!
Now here’s the thing…….It’s been a while since I have done a cartwheel. My daughter of course, completed hers with the ease of a pro and made it appear to be something I could pull off. However, I was a bit nervous of toppling over on our driveway so I opted to “give it a go” in the deeper snow for “cushioning”. Let me explain the picture where it appears as though I am diving face first into the snow……I AM! UGH. I took a run and once my hands met the ground, I realized that the snow was deeper than I anticipated. Oh oh…..this is not going to work at all. I was temporarily suspended in the most awkward position much to the laughter (and confusion) of my daughter. I can honestly tell you that these goofy pictures brought on hysterical outbursts of laughter afterwards. I think they’re funny too and I hope they bring you some joy (or maybe you’ll just question my choice of “fun”).
I did finally give my skills a chance on firmer ground and as you see the first attempt there is not “pretty” either. Aaaaand of course, my daughter performs another “10”. However, after much flailing around, I did finally make it up and over. WOOOHOOO. Now, that called for a celebratory “joy jump”!!
So here’s to fun and good and silly and laughing (even if it’s at ourselves). Let’s get back some of those 385 laughs a day we have lost my friends.
Together in the journey,