As I get older I realise how important it is to laugh.
Every day.
And I love being with people who make me giggle about life’s little absurdities, and if I can’t be with someone in real life then I’ll take my laughing medicine from friends online.
This appeared on my Facebook Friend Lynne’s timeline the other day, and I’m re-posting here with her permission.
It cracked me up.
“I’m in Marks and Spencer’s, and the assistant gives me a voucher for twenty per cent off hosiery.
“What exactly is hosiery?” I ask
She says. “It’s tights and socks and that sort of thing.”
I ask … “Knickers?”
She says. “No, just things you pull up your legs.”
I say. “Well, I pull my knickers up my legs, how do you put yours on … over your head?”
Oh Lynne, please keep them coming!
The lighter side of life
I think being able to see the lighter side of life is truly a gift. You know, we go about our daily tasks with a ‘Must Do’ attitude intent on getting things ticked off the list, don’t we? But rarely do we stop and listen, really listen … or look and I mean really look at just how absurd some of the things that happen in our daily lives really are.
Someone I know has been to see a Doctor recently who she said had, “Clearly never been to charm school,” and it made me chuckle because generally we believe Doctors are going to have a good bedside manner. I like that ability … being able to notice something and then turning what’s expected on it’s head in the story telling.
What a mix up!
Not so long ago I had a conversation with an Australian friend about Denmark. Now just bear in mind there’s Denmark, Europe and there’s Denmark, South Western Australia.
“So where did you go for the five day break?” He asked
“Denmark.” I said
“Wow, that was a long way to go,” he said.
Hmm not really I’m thinking. Only a 4 hour drive. But if he thought it was a long way to go, then OK.
“Did you get jet lag?” He asked.
Blimey, I thought. Does he ever travel anywhere.
“Er, no. It’s not that far!” I laughed.
“But a long way for a few days,” he replied. “How was the weather?”
“Oh pretty good, hot in fact.” I said (it was summer in Australia).
“Unusual for this time of year,” he said. “I’m surprised it didn’t snow.”
What is he smoking, I wondered.
“Did you get any skiing in?” He asked.
“You mean water skiing?” I said.
“Bit chilly for that I would have thought,” he replied looking at me a little weirdly now. “The lakes in Europe must be freezing at this time of year.”
And then I twigged. And gently I told him that we were at cross purposes. After which we both almost fell around on the floor laughing.
Looking and Feeling Good
When it comes to looking your best, it’s not always just about how you look on the outside, is it?
Sometimes I can go out looking let’s say, a little daggy, but because I’m really happy about something, or all my family-based relationships are going really well, I have social engagements with friends planned, and lots of people are reading my blogs then most likely I’ll be feeling great on the inside too.
Feel good look great
I think that being stressed and miserable ages a woman considerably – and then it doesn’t matter if you’ve spent a King’s ransom on your clothes because what’s inside will show up on the outside sooner than later because we need to also feel good to look great.
And smiling lifts your face, and your mood, don’t you think?
Have you ever looked in the mirror and smiled at yourself – and then looked solemn? I have and I know which person I’d rather be friends with. Then I think … who the hell is that solemn cow anyway? Surely she doesn’t exist. But she does, and I realise I need to kill her off with happiness.
Happiness boosts the feel-good hormones too, and to my knowledge there’s no miracle cream that will do the same thing. So it’s important to do things that make you happy which in turn will make you feel good and look great.
Anyway I hope that you can go out today and do something that makes you happy – maybe get together with someone who makes you smile and have a good belly-aching laugh at the same time too!
I’m playing along today with Nikki from Styling You on her Instagram challenge/competition to post pics with #iDiscovered.
Now who’s got a funny story for the telling? I’m dying for a laugh 😉
Until next time,
Get involved with the Sisterhood, Sister!
I really need a good laugh. Sad to say life is so full of challenges at the moment, laughing is far from a part of my day. Perhaps I should join one of those laughing groups. Thanks for the post Jo, and reminding me that I need to smile more, laugh more, and stress less. Stressing never gets you any where anyway.
Keep on laughing Jo.
I’m sad to hear that your life is full of challenges at the moment, Jill. I hope you can find enough heart today to be able to smile a little or see the funny side of some small aspect within your day. Chin up. Here’s a cup of cheer for you today … and thinking of you 🙂
I couldn’t agree more Jo. Smiley happy people are much more attractive than frowning grumpy people and a smile does iron out some of the facial lines. One of my funniest experiences was when I was trying to put on a pair of tummy trimming undies on a very hot and humid day as we were attending a wedding. I had to enlist the help of my hubby as they were stuck half way up my sweaty thighs. Later on he recited the story to our table of friends at the wedding reception and likened my attempts to putting on the slimming garment as ‘squeezing a Chicko Roll’. As you can imagine everyone cracked up laughing!
Oh that’s such a funny story Kathy! I’m sitting here at the computer giggling away all on my own 🙂 Thanks for the laugh! I can just picture something like that happening to me too 😉
That’s such a funny story, Kathy! But I can relate to it entirely 🙂
I’m a great believer in the power of laughter 🙂
Hi Janet, and yes it is a wonderful mood booster among many other things, hey!
My grandparents used to live in (WA) Denmark, so when I was a kid we went there several times a year. I’ve recently reconnected with some people I went to primary school with – one of whom told me he used to be envious of how I got to go on trips to Europe all the time with my family! Like you with your friend it took me ages to work out what on earth he was talking about, but when I did it was pretty funny.
On another note, something I’ve learned from my extremely old-looking Grandma (many of my favourite people in the world have grey hair and wrinkles, btw!) is that seeing the lighter side of life comes naturally when you’re feeling free and unself-conscious, without hangups about how other people perceive your looks or your age or your weird sense of humour. In my opinion seeing the lighter side of life will not make you live longer or look younger than you are – but it will make you happy and content – and give you a radiance and openness that the people around you will appreciate and love, no matter what your age or looks 🙂
Oh that’s a lovely story Bonny – and I can quite see how it happened. Yes, a big thumbs up to seeing the lighter side of life and thank you for your lovely thoughts about the topic too 🙂
This was such a fun post xxx
Glad you enjoyed it, Rae! Thanks!
Not so much a funny story as a way of life.
My Coco dog makes me laugh all the time and her delight in just being alive and able to run and chase a tennis ball keeps me grounded.
Laughter certainly lifts my heart.
Loved your Denmark story.
Have a laughter filled day Jo.
Liz
Thanks Liz! Yes, dogs are a constant source of joy and laughter aren’t they. Enjoy Coco, she sounds such fun!