Laughter as Kindness

"I'm happy that I have brought laughter because I have been shown by many the value of it in so many lives, in so many ways.
―  Lucille Ball

 

One of my closest friends has a very distinctive laugh.  It is nothing short of hilarious, and, of course, infectious.  Her laugh alone makes you laugh.  Having known each other for several decades, we have laughed our way through life's lighter moments as well as through heartache.  We have laughed over silly things and over serious issues that at another moment have made us cry.  But while and when we can laugh, we do.

Another dear friend of mine, one of the Kindness Muses, went to the funeral of a friend's husband.  As my friend was leaving, she said to the widow and two daughters, "Well, I'm leaving, but I had a great time!"  As soon as my friend realized what had come out of her mouth, she said to the family, "I didn't just say what I think I said ... "  The family members laughed and one of them said that that was why the person who died had liked my friend so much.  My friend is always smiling and speaks her mind, which more often than not brings laughter to whatever situation in which she finds herself.  It is a quality that her friends greatly treasure.

Being able to lighten someone's day or troubles by finding something comical in even a difficult situation is surely one of the kindest things we can do.  Laughter connects us and transports us, even if for a moment, to a carefree place.  And, perhaps more important, it reminds us that we can and will laugh again. 

Studies have shown than laughter is good for our health, too.  This finding has given rise to things like laughter yoga, which I have practiced.  Initially I thought it sounded kind of nutty and I was self conscious about feigning laughter, which is how one begins in laughter yoga (after faking it, real laughter is inevitable).  But I quickly found it a sheer delight and even magical to stand in a park just after nightfall with my arms raised toward the heavens and LAUGH.