Smile and Laugh

 

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Smile and Laugh

Life is not to be taken too seriously, we of course have to be sincere about whatever we are doing in life – but serious, definitely no! Simple things in nature make us smile – cats and dogs having fun, birds and their musical chirping, flowers blooming and their fragrance – all these bring a smile to our face and sometimes, gentle laughter.

It is our inner joy which reflects on our face whenever we are in nature or having fun with domesticated pets. That is because pure love knows no boundaries, it fills our heart with joy and pleasure, it does not matter where it comes from – humans, animals or nature. Our nature is to love selflessly without any underlying motive – when that happens then the smile on our face and the laughter in our hearts become a part of our core being.

It is not for nothing that laughter has been called the best medicine. Laughter is literally like a natural medicine that heals our soul. God designed us to biologically respond to joy. When we smile and laugh the brain releases dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter that produces feelings of happiness. It also has been proven to boost immune systems as well as lower blood pressure and increase oxygen intake. We are hard wired with an internal happiness mechanism that is triggered by a joyful attitude. 

Too often we go without laughter when life is busy and stressful. Before long, we realise we haven’t LOL’d (laughed out loud for non-texters). This not only has physical repercussions but spiritual ones as well. We have to make sure we make opportunity for laughter in our lives. All work plus no play results in spiritual disarray. Take time to get away and laugh. Take time to do things that will refill one’s energy tank. It’s much harder to serve and pour out ourselves if we are crushed by life’s challenges. The longer we go without taking a laugh break the more burned out we get.

We are going to make mistakes in life, we are going to goof up big time, and when we do after getting over the initial trauma, just laugh at yourself. When we laugh at ourselves, we put things in perspective – it was Divine Will – let’s move on and things will change. When we have this attitude, we will never be down and out because even if we fall, we will be laughing at ourselves, and the positive energy from this laughter will make us rise again.

Make fun of friends and relatives, laugh when you are at the receiving end, the whole atmosphere remains light and energised, and you will find more work gets done when people are happy, joyous and loving what they do. Laughter truly is the best medicine, specially when we learn to laugh at ourselves.