Laughter

Laughter has always been a powerful medicine for me.  In high school it got me out of fights and tough spots, bringing humor and making others laugh.  In my coming of age years it helped me through times in life that were difficult and meaningful, sometimes I would laugh so much I was able to absorb the lesson or truth of the moment.  Most of the time laughter, for me, was my own way of helping ME create space to be comfortable when I was least comfortable.

It has been said that nothing shows a person’s character more than what they laugh at.  I examined all that I have laughed at, about, with and for.  It certainly has changed over the many life experiences that I have had.

Perhaps it is looking eye to eye with someone and seeing and knowing their life journey, their pain, without knowing a thing about them.  Knowing that what they have been through has made them stronger and that whatever faces them in this very moment is the difference between a flea and an elephant. 

When we look at others we do place value judgments on them; if they look differently than we do, if they dress differently than we do, if they talk differently than we do, if they smell differently than we do, if they do something differently than we do, if they believe differently than we do, if their family looks differently than ours, if they…  I wonder if they are thinking the same thing about ME!  So, who, then, is the different one?

Most everyone forgets how much value we place on words, who says them, how they are said and when they are said.  Sometimes they cut like a knife, deep, painful, and scaring and times they can be uplifting, healing, cleansing and helpful; in both their absence and presence.  Laughter is not much different.  In its absence it can be dry, scary, painful and dark.  In its proper presence it can be uniting, harmonious, contagious, and reassuring.  AH! There is the word, proper.  How do we, who are you to define what is “proper” when it comes to words or laughter?   It all is relative isn’t it?  To each person, each moment, each experience.  What is proper to one is not to the other or is not clear to the other. 

Living in a culture that being “politically correct” requires an online (up-to-date) playbook make it a bit difficult to know when to use certain words, or to laugh.  Or does it?  Perhaps it really boils down to allowing people to be people.  Not judging them for who they are, where they are, how they are, what they are, and when they are.  Allowing each other the space to live, LAUGH, love and not reading anything more into it than what it is…. A word.  A sound.  A reaction. 

Allowing each other (and giving ourselves) permission to LIVE like we want, LAUGH as often as we can and LOVE ourselves and each other in the process allows each of us to be the change that we seek in this world, one day, one person, one journey, one moment of laughter and one word at a time.

Chaplain Royal Bush and Chaplain Beth Loofe are Interfaith Chaplains offering nondenominational and nonreligious care and services to all, without exception in Nebraska and Iowa. They conduct Weddings, Premarital Coaching, Couples Coaching,Funerals, End of Life Planning, and Pastoral Care. For more information please email info@inclusivelife.org OR phone 402-575-7006. Omaha Weddings, Omaha Counseling, Omaha Funerals.