• Discover the Hidden Power of Laughter

    by  • May 16, 2012 • Warrior's Path • 2 Comments

    How would you react to this situation: You spill potato chips all over the floor. Do you laugh at the mistake or do you get frustrated? 

    Photo Credit: McBeth (Creative Commons)

    This exact scenario occurred the other day and I couldn’t help but laugh. My 7 year old son accidentally knocked a full can of Pringles onto the floor that had been vacuumed 4 hours earlier.

    Instead of getting mad that I was going to have to clean the floor again I chose to see the humor in the situation. My son felt bad and kept apologizing. I thanked him for apologizing and told him that they were “just chips” and it was not a big deal.

    The ability to laugh at yourself and the things that happen to you is an important trait to possess. It prevents us from taking life too seriously and laughing is good for our health. It helps to re-frame what happens to us and not make them into more significant events than they need to be.

    I’d like to suggest a couple ideas for you to try out to incorporate more laughing into your life:

    1. Set an hourly reminder on your phone or computer or place a Post-It note on your fridge that simply states “:)” as a way for you to remember to smile more and laugh at yourself and not to take life so seriously.
    2. The next time something happens to you that would normally cause you frustration (e.g. spilling your coffee, forgetting your lunch) laugh at the mistake. It’s not the end of the world and you will be ok. This takes practice, but as long as you have the intent you’re on the right track.

    Laughing at yourself is a tough habit to establish yet by starting small, you can change your thought patterns.

    Choose to be the exception to the rule.

    Choose to laugh more.

    Life is not that big of a deal and we make situations worse in our minds than they really are.

    Laughing releases stress and connects us to joy. Living from a state of joy will attract more joy to you and you’ll be surprised in the forms it comes in.

    So start right now! I dare you to laugh at yourself.

     

     

    Are you able to laugh at yourself? When was the last time you did and what happened?

    Please share your story in the comments.

     

    Photo Credit: McBeth (Creative Commons)

    About

    I'm Dave and I help empower you to become the person you were meant to be, rather than the person every one else wants you to be. We are called to be something more and I want to help you understand what that is. With the intent on growing as a person. If you'd like some more information about me, you can read more here.

    • http://twitter.com/tdiddy1234 Todd Foley

      LOVE this, Dave! Just reading the advice about the post-it note made me smile. So much truth there. I always try to laugh at myself – it can be difficult, but wow, what a difference it makes.

      Although I may have responded differently to the initial situation: “Screw the carpet, THOSE WERE MY CHIPS!!!” #ConfessionsOfAChipAddict

      • http://warriordave.com/ Dave Lukas

        Thanks Todd! Totally agree that it makes a HUGE difference when we can inject the power of laughter into our lives.