Hey There,

Whether you are in recovery mode or celebratory mode, it’s important to allow yourself to process whatever your feelings are freely. Society often tells us to be mindful of our behaviors and to “grin and bear it.”  Acknowledge your true feelings. When we suppress and try to cover up our emotions, it can quickly become overwhelming, leading to outbursts, harm, addiction, depression and serious physical illness.

Whatever our grievances, it’s healthier to share, speak out, discuss, listen and let go. But how do so when one is feeling so anguished or disappointed? How to do so without causing distress to self or others?

To open up these channels of emotion, laughter really can help. Recently, I went through a tough situation. I woke up to very bad news.

I shared with my friends:

“I feel like I was just hit by a huge truck and the breath got knocked out of me and I was smashed down flat. I saw darkness. But then a wind came and started puffing me up again with light and hope and I let out a huge sigh. I followed it with a big long moan and then I took another big breath, and I laughed it out. A painful and sorrowful laugh. And as I repeated this over and over again, I started to feel a little bit better and could get out of bed. I stretched, found my footing and thought mankind is strong.  We have gotten through so much in the past and we will continue to do so.
Focus on the good, be the good. Keep moving forward and sending out love.”
I was moved by the outpouring of support I received and how people felt similarly to me. Many shared that they were also laughing and others were prompted to try some laughter- anything to lift their spirits and to move forward from this spot of “feeling stuck and out of sorts” ,”angry” or “frightened”.

When we have high hopes of something materializing and we put so much energy into willing it to happen and then things go the other way, it’s easy to be shocked, dismayed, incredulous and even feel a physical gut-wrenching pain. It can even feel paralyzing.  Feelings of loss, mourning, numbness- the whole gamut.  Then anxiety for what is to come.  Our imagination goes wild.

This is what I do.

  1. Be present. Take it one day at a time. Let the past go, don’t worry about the future. We don’t have a crystal ball. Be more in the moment.
  2. Focus on the good. There is plenty to appreciate.
  3. Understand what is going on. Listen. Know the issues.
  4. Witness.  Keep watch of what is happening  and don’t be afraid to speak out against injustice. The fight continues.
  5. Help others in need.
  6. Give back to society in a positive way.
  7. Take the high road. When feeling upset, remember to pause before reacting. Be proactive rather than reactive.
  8. Believe in a positive future and the inherent good in others but be critical.
  9. Question. Don’t believe just anything. Do your research. Look at all sides.
  10. Laugh it out- several times a day, extend the laughter and encourage others to laugh with you. This will seriously allow you to “let go” of the stress you may be feeling and allow yourself to feel a bit lighter and more freely as you go about your day. This will help open the channels of communication, allowing us to learn, grow, connect and find solutions, creating a more peaceful and joyful society and world.

I am so grateful for my laughter practice. It continues to help me in countless ways.

May you feel safe, at peace and comforted.

May we all move forward together and do the best we can.

May you feel soothed by your laughing heart.

Alexa