Things That Make Me Smile and Laugh
The stress level in our country seems to be at an all time high as of late. With the economy on a roller coaster ride that isn’t fun for anyone, we are all faced with the possibility that our way of life as we know it is about to change, whether we;re ready for it or not.
Many of us read the news reports on the economy every day, praying that a glimmer of hope is on the horizon. There of those of us, myself included, who are not taking the situation with the economy lightly. We are trying to prepare as much as possible for the worst-case scenario.
We are stockpiling food. We’re stockpiling the essentials, like toilet paper, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc. We are trying to set money aside to cover house payments and other bills. We’re making plans to plant a garden. We’re raising chickens for meat and eggs. We’re gathering recipes that can be made with food on hand. We’re making lists of canning supplies needed to can the food we grow. Our every waking moment seems to be filled with preparations for what tomorrow may bring.
By focusing so much attention on preparations, some of us start to lose sight of the things in life that make us happy, that make us smile and laugh. If we stop paying attention to those things, then we start to lose our hope. We start to see only the negatives.
Yes, no matter what the economy dishes out to us, our lives are forever changed, but it doesn’t mean we have to stop enjoying the simplest things around us that bring us joy. In fact, it’s more important now than ever before to focus on those positive things. By doing so, you can give yourself the extra push to make it through the hard times.
For me, there’s several things that put a smile on my face and make me ‘bust a gut’ laughing. Here they are:
1- Without a doubt, my kids are at the top of the list for the things that can make me smile or laugh. It doesn’t matter what kind of day I’m having, they can put a smile on this face of mine. They can make my heart swell with love. They can make me laugh like no one else can.
2- My friends and family are also on this list. I know there’s always something that we can talk about that will make me chuckle and think about fun times that we’ve shared.
3- There are two radio stations that I listen to that ALWAYS make me laugh. The Q Morning Show, on Q 97.9, and Matty in the Morning, on KISS 108 FM, are always saying something that sends me into a fit of laughs. Each station has a playful banter that is funny and heartwarming, because you get the feeling, when listening to them, that they honestly like each other. I also feel these two stations have a strong appreciation for their listeners, unlike some other stations I know of.
4- Bob Marley is one of the funniest men in the comedy industry next to Jeff Dunham. Both of these men can make me laugh to the point I almost cry. Bob Marley is a native Mainer, so there’s a devotion I have for him that I have for no other comedian. I can listen to his CDs and relate to most of what he says. When I hear him talk, I think of my dad. Neither my dad or I have escaped the Maine accent. To hear Bob speak with it makes us smile and realize we’re aren’t alone in our quirkiness.
5- Monty Python and the Holy Grail is one of the best comedy movies of all time. It’s one of my go-to movies when I need a laugh. In fact, as a child, my brother and I use to run around the house, clicking my mom’s craft boxes together like King Arthur and his crew did with the coconuts.
6- If I need a quick pick me up, music always helps. When I need that reprieve, I play songs that inspire me and give me hope that a brighter tomorrow is still possible.
7- Spring is another smile-maker. When I see a blue sky, hear birds chirping outside and smell the newly grown flowers, I feel a sense of peace and a oneness with nature. It helps to clear my head of any negativity that might be holding my hostage. I take a deep breath and it all seems to just fade away.
These are just a few of the things that help me get through the tough times. What are yours?
For those that have never seen the scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail that I spoke of, here you go.
