Today we’re going to enjoy our time together reflecting upon laughter! Years ago when I was new to texting, I couldn’t understand why people were lol-ing on the end of their sentences! So I queried, the answer – it means laugh/laughter.
So for years I thought it meant lots of laughter until one day my youngest daughter said it means laugh out loud Mum! The confusing abbreviated language of texting! I personally like both meanings. 😉
I’m sitting here at my dining table looking out upon my front garden that is showing the early signs of Spring! Yes, it’s the end of Winter here in Australia & my garden is awakening from its slumber!
The azaleas are already in brilliant color, the daisies are blooming & our strawberry plants are yielding huge delicious strawberries! The Nectarine tree is also just blossoming with the heavy scent of star Jasmine in the air. It has warmed in the past week which we are enjoying & so is my garden!
Earlier this week I was sitting out under our Jacaranda tree enjoying the sun with dear hubby, listening to the amazing bird life around us, sipping my favorite Earl Grey & munching upon a chocolate treat of deliciousness.
When hubby said something that caused us both to roar with laughter. Laughter is great medicine…isn’t it?
It takes us out of our serious selves, out of our worries & concerns, stripping us of our inhibitions taking us back to childhood exuberance in the moment.
Where we can see the funny side of things that tickle the laughter control of our brains releasing an involuntary bubble of joy in the form of a good old fashioned belly laugh or a fit of the giggles, as we call it here in Australia.
Laughter is so amazing as it releases the natural feel good endorphin neurotransmitters in our brains.
A dear friend & I (you met her in Heart matters! ) were given the nicknames of the Giggling Gerties at College, although we actually laughed more then we giggled, mainly at ourselves!
We also had a third member of our laughter chorus, a fellow student who often provided the source of our laughter in his humorous way of seeing the funny side of everyday life.
My hubby is similar, he has always had the ability to make me laugh! Although he does love his ‘Dad’ jokes, which a lot of the time I just don’t get & end up looking at him with a blank look which he just replies to with a “Yep”.
Our respective daughters rarely get his ‘Dad’ jokes too but our son in laws & our grandson’s think they’re hilarious. It’s obviously a boy thing! Lol!
He is also extremely quick witted which leaves this poor old gal with Fibrofog often lost for words!
But there are many times, like the other morning when peals of laughter are heard ringing around our home, in fact we laugh so hard at times that our muscles hurt & tears flow!
It was like that, the time I went out to collect the mail from our mailbox & walked straight into a huge Spider’s web with Mrs Spider landing right on top of my head!
We live on the only road in & out of our village, everyone who drove past that morning saw this lady doing a frantic involuntary ‘spider’ dance with legs jumping & arms frantically brushing at her head, trying to get what seemed to be the largest spider in the world, off her head!
Later when I shared this with my eldest daughter she thought it was absolutely hilarious!
Envisioning her Mama jumping up & down frantically in full view of everyone passing probably convinced it was the weirdest thing they’d seen in a long time because they couldn’t see the spider!
My daughter & I laughed at this scene so hard our muscles hurt!
Yes, laughter is definitely good for the soul…because it releases joy into our hearts & minds;
“A happy heart is good medicine
& a cheerful mind works healing…”
Proverbs 17:22 Refer 2
Did you know that recent researchers concluded that laughter has benefits for chronic pain as the endorphins released are the body’s natural opiates! How interesting!
Can you remember a time when you laughed so hard that it hurt my friend? I would love to hear about it. 😀
Until next time,
Jennifer
You’re most welcome to join me in The Reading Nook
Or in Prayer
© 2019 Jennifer M. Ross, teawithjennifer.blog All Rights Reserved. Photos on Pexels.com
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Jennifer,
I was drawn to your post because it dealt with laughter. In these uncertain and sobering times, we all need a bit of laughter. I, too, believe it’s good for the soul. I am so thankful for a husband that can make me laugh. I think that is one of the biggest blessings we can give each other in marriage. Loved this reflection on the good medicine of laughter!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thank you Bev! I’m always astounded by God’s sense of humor too…aren’t you! 😉
I agree. Laughter is good for the soul
That it is! Lovely having you join me for a cuppa 😀
Hi Jennifer. You are so right. I think laughter is downright therapeutic. If you like to read short stories meant to make one laugh that are clean and true, you might enjoy a visit to my story collection, where I write about the funny things that happened to me while growing up. Each story is 2000 words or less, so about a 10 minute read for most and I really enjoy sharing them because reader feedback frequently makes me laugh at the event all over again. Here’s a sample from one of my earliest memories. I don’t want to spoil the story for you, but no one died (LOL) https://garyawilsonstories.wordpress.com/the-inner-tube-adventure/
I have about 60 such stories that you are welcome to sample. BTW, I enjoyed the image of you dancing frantically for all the drivers on your road with the spider in your hair. To bad someone didn’t record that gem. You too could have gone viral.
Thanks for sharing this piece and I hope to host your visit to one of my stories soon.
Blessings and lots of laughter
Yes the spider dance was hilarious after the fact lol! Glad you dropped by Gary.. You’re blog looks great 😀
And thanks for linking up at the #GatheringofFriendsLinkParty 6. Pinning
Laughter is so good for us. Thank God my hubby is the funniest guy around. Its such a blessing to be married to a man that makes me laugh every single day.
That is an amazing blessing Sylvia! 😀
Oh, I love to laugh – although sometimes in my case, it turns into a wheeze!
I have to smile at the thought of your jumping around on the lawn – because, of course, passers-by could not see the spider on your head! Kind of reminds me, maybe I don’t know the whole story when I see someone doing something out of character!
Yes, they probably thought I had a new dance going or had entirely lost my mind lol!
Beautiful point Jennifer about the need for laughter in our lives and homes! Found you through the grace and truth link up. THanks for sharing.
It’s a pleasure! Lovely having you drop by 😀
Laughter and good friends are the only things that keep me going some days. A day without laughter leads to permanent frown lines and a sleepless night. So, LOL, Jennifer … it’s good for the soul!
I agree Jill, laughter is definitely good for the soul! 😀
Lovely to have you join me a cuppa & a lol time 😀
It was my pleasure!!!
YES! I love a good laugh, especially with family!
Its such a blessing Michele. 😀
I’m so glad God created laughter and gives us opportunities to use it so often! My husband often puts a comic spin on things. Just a few times I was hurt because I thought he wasn’t taking something seriously, but most often I appreciate how laughter breaks tension and lightens our spirits.
I think God has an amazing sense of humor! I came to Him through a clown which I shared in Penang, Pearl of the Orient 😀