When was the last time you just had a good laugh. I’m talking about the kind that you can’t stop and you start making weird sounds and high pitched squeaks. Then your eyes get in on the fun and start to drip tears of giggles and streams of silly.
The worst is when you get a laughing spell at a place where your best manners are expected to be quiet and listen. A classroom, church, graduation ceremony, funeral or a work meeting might be one of those places uncontrolled laughing might be frowned upon.
But it has probably happened to most of us at some time or another. Possibly when we were younger or for some it was yesterday.
Medical research shows that laughter is indeed good medicine. The Bible stated it first in Proverbs 17:22.
“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Amazing to me how science is always catching up with God’s unchangeable basic truths.
God is reminding me this season of my “middle aged womanly self” to
Laugh On
and
Laugh Off
Remember the clap on, clap off lamps? Those were always fun to clap on the light and clap off the light from across the room.
Now keep in mind, I’m not talking about ignoring and not addressing deep seated issues that need attention. We all know the tragedy of one of the funniest comedians Robin Williams. God rest his soul. This is not about putting on a happy face and hiding our sadness on the inside.
Laugh On Laugh Off
You have a family member or friend who just tries your patience on a regular basis. Maybe they are annoying and are constantly negative. Instead of jumping up and down with them in their bouncy ball house of put downs……….
smile and say something super sweet about that person they are roasting over an open fire.
Go a crazy step further and suggest a prayer together for that person.
Watch what happens!!
It will make you chuckle.
Most likely they will stop trash talking or think you’re a Jesus freak cake and walk away.
Problem solved!!
You didn’t get drawn into negative talk or stinking thinking about anyone.
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Laugh On Laugh Off
Let’s clap onto one more example.
This one requires your imagination and complete concentration. You may need to clear away some “I’m too old and mature” cobwebs to clearly see this on your visual screen of thought.
This is a mind over matter deal. It goes along the line of the advice of your parents. Remember when you had to give your first speech. You were completely scared and nerved out!! Did anyone ever say to you? Just imagine the audience all sitting and listening to you in their underwear. (modest underwear of course) It really helped if your professor was like mine and looked like he stepped out of the 18th century with rim glasses and wiry hair sticking up and out everywhere. I think that may have even included his nostrils.
I only endorse this recommendation if your professor and audience resemble Albert Einstein.
Okay, so here we go!!
Use your imagination, Barney!!
You are in a social setting and that person who just rubs you the wrong way walks up to you to say hello. They start into their conversation that always and completely centers around themselves and their other selves.
Instead of falling into your usual false judgements about them. Which by the way they could be very valid and proven true!!
Just give them the benefit of the doubt.
I used to watch Sesame Street as a young child and found Big Bird quite mesmerizing. Especially his big nest he occasionally climbed in and out of singing songs.
Mind over Matter
Back to our “me first” friend who pops into our social setting.
Go there with your vivid wild imagination and visualize them as Big Bird from Sesame Street. They become quite tall and yellow with a bright orange beak. One that flaps quite rapidly without much hesitation. You watch as they take big steps of waddle and swag back to their nest. This being the biggest nest of human proportions which houses their soiled eggs of disappointment and rejection.
Smile back at them and shoot that bird some blessings.
Now it’s possible your silly Sesame Street thoughts of that person might actually turn into compassion and empathy for them.
With God all things are possible!!
You can take the opportunity to privately pray for them as they widdle waddle away.
With all things it takes practice to build back your imagination skills.
Practice makes perfect!!
Congratulations you have made the choice to…….
Laugh Off
any opportunity for gossip, offense or judgements to stick to you.
Laugh On
some new empathy, compassion and understanding for that person.
I Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Everyone’s a winner!!
Big bird would be so proud!
Watch below
Big Bird shares something little to help someone in a big way.
Laugh On,
Kelley Allison
Proverbs 17:22
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