Anyone who knows me knows how much I love to laugh. My friends also know I rather like my laugh. It is contagious when it is at its best. I love hearing other people laugh with me.
Unfortunately I have not laughed nearly as much in the past eight or so months as I would have liked. I have shared somewhat vaguely that things have been difficult for me. I remain purposely vague in hopes that others who might be struggling will still find hope and encouragement in my writing even though their circumstances may be quite different.
I have a counter on my blog but really do not know how many people read it, how many enjoy it, how many find it helpful, or how many find it at all useful. Yet I keep writing because it might matter to someone.
I always knew my situation would change. I knew it would improve. I knew I would make it through. I have great friends, I have great hope, I have great faith.
As I sit here this evening typing, I am reflecting back on the past few weeks and how much my life has changed. Hope is no longer something I cling to as I wait for change. Change has arrived. Things are improving. Life is a bit easier each day. Laughter has returned. Lots of laughter has returned.
Yet I remember moments of laughter in the harder moments. Often, it alleviated the greatest stresses. Joy is a beautiful thing. It can shine a great light in dark moments. Sometimes joy is sparked by laughter. Sometimes laughter is sparked by the simplest thing. If we allow ourselves to seek it, to wait for it, and then to nurture it, joy will appear.
One of the amazing lessons I have been learning to look beyond my perspective. Expect joy to appear but do not expect it to appear the same way every time. Expect joy to comfort but do not tell it how it should meet you in need. Expect joy to be. Just be. It will not always erase the pain, sadness, loss, grief, or hurt. That does not mean it cannot have a place in your life. Just because it is not occupying the main part of your heart or mind does not mean it is gone for good.
There is so much to delight in around us. Ask a child to tell you a joke. Watch the Three Stooges. Walk through a well tended garden. Take a few moments to stop, sit quietly, and enjoy peacefulness. Spend time with loved ones. Bake. Create. Write. Run. Walk. Swim. Listen to music.
And always remember to laugh.
Unfortunately I have not laughed nearly as much in the past eight or so months as I would have liked. I have shared somewhat vaguely that things have been difficult for me. I remain purposely vague in hopes that others who might be struggling will still find hope and encouragement in my writing even though their circumstances may be quite different.
I have a counter on my blog but really do not know how many people read it, how many enjoy it, how many find it helpful, or how many find it at all useful. Yet I keep writing because it might matter to someone.
I always knew my situation would change. I knew it would improve. I knew I would make it through. I have great friends, I have great hope, I have great faith.
As I sit here this evening typing, I am reflecting back on the past few weeks and how much my life has changed. Hope is no longer something I cling to as I wait for change. Change has arrived. Things are improving. Life is a bit easier each day. Laughter has returned. Lots of laughter has returned.
Yet I remember moments of laughter in the harder moments. Often, it alleviated the greatest stresses. Joy is a beautiful thing. It can shine a great light in dark moments. Sometimes joy is sparked by laughter. Sometimes laughter is sparked by the simplest thing. If we allow ourselves to seek it, to wait for it, and then to nurture it, joy will appear.
One of the amazing lessons I have been learning to look beyond my perspective. Expect joy to appear but do not expect it to appear the same way every time. Expect joy to comfort but do not tell it how it should meet you in need. Expect joy to be. Just be. It will not always erase the pain, sadness, loss, grief, or hurt. That does not mean it cannot have a place in your life. Just because it is not occupying the main part of your heart or mind does not mean it is gone for good.
There is so much to delight in around us. Ask a child to tell you a joke. Watch the Three Stooges. Walk through a well tended garden. Take a few moments to stop, sit quietly, and enjoy peacefulness. Spend time with loved ones. Bake. Create. Write. Run. Walk. Swim. Listen to music.
And always remember to laugh.
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