World Laughter Day- May 3: pics, stories, videos

And in the midst of Beltane/Samhain, Merry Mary reminds me that it's World Laughter Day on Sunday, May 3rd!



Let' s post pictures of people laughing.Or stories, jokes to help us laugh, or videos of laughter.

Re: World Laughter Day- May 3: pics, stories, videos

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Re: World Laughter Day- May 3: pics, stories, videos

Re: World Laughter Day- May 3: pics, stories, videos

Stories of
Laughter in Switzerland
zurich.jpg
This story
comes from laughter professional Eva in Zurich.
This event
happened just a few months after i started my laughter club. Gradually more
people were coming to our sessions and we all were very happy. People brought
their stories of everyday life which often touched me deeply.
It was these
stories that made me realize how important my work had become.
After
laughter we sat together drinking tea and enjoying cookies. A woman came to me
with teary eyes and said ‘thank you so much - my husband hasn't laughed for two
years and today l heard and saw him laughing. I am so happy and we will come
again.” They did and still do.
Another
person nearby said “I want you to know that after every laughter yoga
session my skin is without reaction for about two days - I usually need
medicine every day to make life bearable.”
That day we
had a long teatime. A young man who came the second time and an elderly lady
got into discussion. During the session, the elderly woman had a hard time
opening up and laughing. She interrupted twice saying: “What is so
funny?”
I repeated
that we do laughter yoga exercises and don't need a reason to laugh. As a
laughter leader it is quite disturbing when the flow of laughter in a group is
interrupted this way. Building up the atmosphere to let free laughter sparkle
among the group is like creating a living artwork - a very fragile and
wonderfull piece of life art.
These two
were in discussion when l came to the table: “I would like to take
drugs” said the woman out of the blue.” “What do you expect to
get from drugs?” I asked.
“I want
to extend my possibilities.” “What kind of possibilities?” I
asked her.
“To be
happy, free, touching once the feeling of happiness, which I've never
experienced in my life.”
“And you
think you need drugs for this?” I asked. “Yes, I decided a long time
ago on this plan and I want to do it.”
“For
things like this you need a very strong mind and even then there is a great
danger of becoming insane” I said.
“Yes, I
know, I have been in the mental hospital once and I take medicine. But still, I
am sure this would finally give me a feeling of how life could be.”
 
The young man
sat at the table looked puzzled. I knew very well the reason for it. After our
last session, he stayed a long time and walked me down the street after we
closed up. During that time, he told me his story of long drug addiction,
excessive lifestile and the misery which came with it.
Thank to his
family and friends, he got back to home and was slowly trying to take his first
step back into normal life. This young man happened to be the person she spoke
to - very strange and very appropriate at the same time.
“Ask
this man, he is an expert in drugs” I said to the woman.
“Oh yes?
Are you really? Great, so tell me which drug I should take.”
The young man
smiled and shook his head. “I can tell you, no trip with drugs has ever
given me more joy and happiness than our laughter session today.”
I was so
happy to hear this and for this woman, who was surprised by his answer. Her
whole plan fell apart right here at the laughter club's tea table.
To help her
move closer to happiness, I asked her “What was good and what was
difficult today while laughing?”
She told us
about her childhood, the strict rules and how laughing was regarded as bad in
her parents house. This held her back from laughing.
I'm so happy
that she has returned regularly to our club and has opened up to laughter and
given up her idea of turning to drugs for happiness.
http://www.laughteryoga.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=217:laughter-yoga-clubs-&id=259:stories-of-laughter-in-switzerland&Itemid=460

Re: World Laughter Day- May 3: pics, stories, videos

I like that story! And it reminds me that laughter really is something that makes us just be in the moment, in the feeling - not even actually feeling anything but laughing.

I didnt know it helped the crown chakra open, Ryon! Grt to know that!

Emerson said - Earth laughs in flowers
And in the Puranas-EArth laughs, as if smiling with autumnal flowers…”
Source

Re: World Laughter Day- May 3: pics, stories, videos

This is one of the most popular videos on youtube. I thought it is appropriate.

Re: World Laughter Day- May 3: pics, stories, videos

We interrupt this program to bring you an important announcement. Four of the ingredients to a healthier life Laurie recommends are: (1) drink plenty of water, (2) inhale your breath all the way down into your tummy, (3) eat broccoli every single day, and (4) laugh. :-D … Number four is the most important. This program will now continue