Laughter IS Medicine

“Laughter is healing when it is a spontaneous expression of bliss!” Maharishi Ayurveda

Today is World Laughter Day.

Laughter is a common language. It is healing. It creates bliss.

“Bliss supports the immune system and the endocrine system and balances the heart and mind. If you sustain a permanent state of bliss, then you will always enjoy the healing benefits of laughter.” Maharishi Ayurveda

When was the last time you experienced whole-hearted, full body laughter?

We can be so serious in our pursuits, so broken-hearted by the world, disappointed in the past, and so worried about the future. And... we cannot let those things rule our lives ALL the time. 

I am on a mission to explore, cultivate, and inspire more empathetic joy in our world. Much like the news that only reports the unfortunate/challenging things in our world, we are generally much better at sharing what is hard in our lives. We are not as skilled at sharing what is going well. Empathetic joy allows us to uplift ourselves and each other, by sharing what is light instead of heavy. It is a new avenue of expression for many of us... allowing ourselves to voice what is going well, what makes us happy, and where our hearts find delight. 

Laughter often erupts as a connection through empathetic joy. It's one of the few things that makes us truly live in the present. 

So, let's try sharing together today: What is something you are joyful about? What are you celebrating? What makes you feel silly, light, and engaged more fully with life? What made you laugh today? Please write me back and share your story!

Laughter truly is good medicine. Let's try to create more of it in the world!

Here is a great poem by Mary Oliver to inspire us:

Don’t Hesitate By Mary Oliver

If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case.
Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.

I hope you find yourself having at least one joyful, blissful laugh today! 

Much love and light,

Hannah