Have you ever witnessed a moment when a group of people are laughing uncontrollably, completely caught up in their own world of joy and amusement? I often find myself imagining what it would be like to be fully immersed in that scene, to become an active part of the narrative unfolding right before my eyes. In a way, I feel a bit jealous for not experiencing that brief but intense rush of energy, that unique shared connection where everyone involved is in on the hidden joke or the crazy, spontaneous moment that brings them all together in laughter.
In the rush of life, we often lose the chance to be truly present. It’s a rare gift to enjoy life as it was always meant to be. Anyone who knows Dave and the brothers will immediately recognize their shared sense of the ridiculous. Their ability to laugh at the absurd and bizarre—things only they understand—is truly energizing to witness. When family gathers, it’s the best kind of fun, with no judgment, and even the kids eagerly join in. Their mom shares the same humour, and whether they inherited it from her or not is beside the point—she’s always happy to be part of the joke, the silliness, and the laughter
Laughter is contagious when you allow yourself to relax and fully immerse in the moment—it instantly changes the mood. It often comes from anticipating the end of a joke or a funny situation. Take, for example, the seemingly impossible task of gracefully getting in or out of a kayak. I recently witnessed someone laughing uncontrollably at the mere thought of it—wondering which leg to put in first and how to avoid falling. The outcome was predictable, which only made it funnier. We laughed in anticipation of an even bigger laugh, knowing how joyful we’d feel when they inevitably tumbled into the water. Being able to laugh at ourselves, recognizing when we look like complete clowns, is a very human reaction and, in my opinion, incredibly therapeutic.
As I find myself growing older, I increasingly appreciate the lighthearted moments and make a conscious effort to find the good in every situation, no matter how small. Life throws so many unexpected challenges and obstacles our way, and it cannot be just about merely surviving those hardships. It may sound like a cliché, but truly, life is meant for living fully and embracing every experience. Laughter is such a powerful tonic for the soul, and even if you are alone and unable to share a funny moment with anyone else, laugh anyway. Someone nearby might witness your laughter and, perhaps without even realizing it, find themselves laughing at your joyful expression. That person will almost certainly go on to tell their own story about how amusing they found that spontaneous moment of laughter. I’m sure we have all seen someone stuck in a traffic jam, talking on the phone and laughing heartily. At times like these, I find myself smiling and even quietly giggling when that person catches my eye and realizes that I saw and shared in their moment of happiness.
I’m not suggesting for a moment that this episode is something to be amused by, but at times we found ourselves laughing heartily at the content. One might say it was a subconscious coping mechanism, and in truth, laughter does help. Dave and I often laugh at the most silly and ridiculous things, and I’ve come to accept it because I know it keeps me grounded. Isn’t that what makes life meaningful—sharing moments without fear of judgment? My advice: laugh and smile whenever you can even in public. It’s positive energy, and that’s a wonderful thing.
Susan