Life Upgrade: a three minute motivational newsletter

Life Upgrade
a five minute motivational newsletter

Issue 25
By Master Coach Ginger Cockerham

Quote
Did You Stop Laughing?
Life Upgrade Coaching Tip
~o^o~ Resources

"Interviewer: Your Holiness, how many people work at the Vatican?"
Pope John XXIII: "About half."

Did You Stop Laughing?

With the shock and sadness of the past two weeks, I stopped laughing.

I didn’t even realize it. Maybe I had forgotten all about laughter.

I flew off to the Pacific Northwest Thursday on a long planned trip and family event. I felt brave and purposeful as I continued on with my life just as New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani said we all should do.

But it wasn’t until I was walking in the sand of the Oregon coast that I realized I had stopped laughing.

Suddenly over the horizon and headed for the sea were 20 little black Scotties running gleefully.

Their big heads were bobbing and their leashes intertwined. It was a sight unimaginable in any place in time.

My brother, Clay, started running across the jetty yelling, “I want to take one home.” As he ran and the Scotties bounced, I started laughing and laughing. I couldn’t stop laughing. I was doubled over with laughter.

Suddenly, I felt lighter and like myself again. It was a reawakening of my spirit.

I saw a research study that said children laugh 80 times a day and adults about 8 times. Have you been laughing?

Our body chemistry changes when we laugh. Our creative energy increases when we laugh. Maybe our collective healing starts with our laughter. There are serious issues and sacrifices ahead of us, but our spirits are unbroken, our faith is strong, and our collective strength is unlimited.

Homework: Meet with friends and family to share your experiences, your fears and your hopes. In that safe and loving environment, you can share your smiles and laughter. No one has permission to take away our joy for life.