Welcome to this conversation
7 Wonders - Episode 2: The Wonder of LAUGHTER. If laughter isn’t so wonderful, how come you like it so much? And how is it that laughter is something the tiniest of children can do and cause, yet we treasure and enjoy it as if it were rare? And laughter not only delights, it changes things: moods, relationships, even our ability to do something we thought we couldn’t or wouldn’t do. See you at the falls of “Laughing Waters” (Minnehaha), as Melissa Lock won’t just be talking about laughter, along with some friends she’ll be getting you laughing.
Episode 2: The Wonder of LAUGHTER
We are exploring 7 wonders this June and July. The Greeks named 7 human-made wonders of the ancient world. We’re exploring 7 baked-in wonders we don’t invent but we plain GET TO be part of by being alive together on this planet...ancient, modern, future - wonders of this whole thing. Laughter is one of those wonders!
(Did you know that animals laugh?) Before talking, humans communicate through crying and laughing.
Laughter is woven into the Fabric so much we hardly notice how much we value the things and especially the people who make us laugh.
There are so many benefits of laughter. It makes us healthier, less defensive and judgmental of ourselves and others. Laughter strengthens relationships...even bridging otherwise difficult divides. It gives us perspective, release & relief! It gives courage so you can do the scary thing.
Something to consider: What could change if there was more laughter in your life? In the lives of others? What’s stopping us from laughing more?
What do you think it means that three of the great wisdom traditions of the world - Judaism, Christianity and Islam - all trace their roots back to a story soaked in laughter (Genesis 17, 18)? Doesn’t it seem like this important story should have been told more seriously? But it wasn’t.
Anne Lamott said that Laughter is carbonated holiness. (*Many of us need more than bubbles added to this word holiness. It becomes very serious and full of shoulds - even with the bubbles. Oh - I should really laugh more…)
“God has brought me laughter and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Everyone who hears this will laugh with me. Sarah, when Isaac is born (note the pun - her son’s name was Isaac means “one who laughs”)
Not AT me. But WITH me. Brene Brown calls it knowing laughter. This is the kind of deep knowing laughter where all of us - all things - are in on the joke. There is nothing, nothing that isn’t sacredly connected, messy as it might be.
Laughter is a portal into the holiness/holy-mess of being fully alive, connected. A part OF life. Not apart from it or above it somehow.
Fabric friend, Andrew Sletten on laughter- “it brings me closer to everything else I want.”
It’s high time we let go and laugh more!
Laughter is a gift AND you can practice it. It takes you out of yourself AND brings you into yourself.
It takes some letting go. Of looking good, feeling in control. And simply receiving! It takes you out of yourself in this wonderful way. An out-of-control moment of release. Losing yourself - often looking so uncool and awkward yet feeling connected to something beyond yourself.
It takes you our of yourself, but laughter also brings you into yourself and into your power. You feel out of control AND you realize the amazing power you have - to heal and be healed, know and be known, connect, delight, bring together, create courage. And you and I have access to this power of laughter as long as we have breath in our lungs!
Sometimes it feels impossible to laugh. Or do just about anything.
This is why we are community. If that’s you - YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Reach out. Message Melissa or Fabric for help widening your circle. If you know someone...let them know. They aren’t alone. How can you be with them?
This is also why we practice when it’s easy. So we can laugh even when things are hard. Find joy in the labor of loving and living.
Ways to start practicing (more):
Smile. Smiling is the beginning of laughter, and like laughter, it’s contagious.
Gratitude. When you’re sad, this can help bridge the distance to humor and laughter.
When you hear laughter move toward it
Spend time with fun & playful people
Fake it. Simulated laughter can be just as beneficial as the real thing!
We all get by with help from our friends. But there is more to giving and receiving help than meets the eye. Let's help each other out with our help stories!