Laughter is the best medicine

I love clichés because they are so true and we need to take them to heart.

We all know that illness, anxiety and depression are partly caused by not being true to ourselves, spending too much time doing things we don’t like, and putting up with other peoples’ behaviour, even though it drives us nuts, just because we want to be liked. Yet we go on and on doing things that are wrong for us and wondering why we don’t feel like getting out of bed most days.

Life can be likened to the scales of justice, yes difficult things happen and the unhappiness side of your scales can become full up and therefore your life is completely out of balance. The only thing you can do when harsh reality hits is to make sure that your pour as much happiness and joy into the other side of your scales as you possibly can, and as quickly as you can.

The trouble is that life becomes about work, being a taxi service for the kids, cleaning the house, visiting the supermarket, running around the shops, and paying bills and reading e-mails.

We all need to take a deep breath, stand back and ask ourselves what makes us happy. Then we need to ask ourselves whether we are spending time on those happy things, and if not why not.

We also need to think about the effect that other people have on us, and choose whether or not to be around those people. Sometimes that means a permanent split and other times it means choosing when you answer the phone or visit.

You don’t need me to tell you that if you don’t make time for yourself then who will, but you probably need me to ask you whether you are making time for yourself and if not why not.

When we’re young we have such dreams for our lives, we’re going to be ballerinas or astronauts, racing drivers or nurses, doctors or divas, and yet we gradually allow those childhood dreams to disappear into a reality of boring jobs, mortgages, money worries, and shopping.

Although you can’t have your childhood dreams back you can create new, perhaps more realistic dreams as an adult and then you can do everything in your power to achieve those dreams.

You can remember that although your children have a strong call on your time they don’t own you, and that in teaching them to live their dreams you are ensuring that they will have a better, happier future.

We can be good children and take care of our parents, we can be good friends and take care of each other, but if we wear ourselves out then we won’t be taking care of anyone.

We can work in jobs that we hate and come home at night like a bear with a sore head, yelling at everyone within yelling distance and gradually driving our loved ones and friends away on a wave or our wrath. Or we can do a job we love and sail into the house at night singing. In other words we can be a joy to be with or our family’s worst nightmare. Our choice.

So take some time to dream, dream about what makes you happy, then turn those dreams into action. It will be a blessing for everyone around you, especially you.

Most importantly, never forgot cake, chocolate, roller coasters, and anything that makes you laugh. Pour as much laughter and joy onto the happiness side of your scales as often as you can, and you will give your mind and body the best chance of sailing through life on a wave of hilarity.

Love and Giggles, Deb

© Deb Hawken - First published in Silent Voices 2010