joyful2beeblogs

Everyone gets sad sometimes. I can pretty much identify with this feeling and more. My problems are minor compared to the losses of so many others around the world. In times like these, it is easy to be overwhelmed with grief, sadness, or hopelessness. All of these, sadly, are parts of life on a much larger scale.

It is best to feel what we feel, instead of denying it or trying to “buck up” and act like we’re fine when we’re not; especially when we have been in a stressful time for a long time already. Sometimes, we need a little break from the stress and just plain emotional exhaustion.

I don’t know what your circumstances are, but there comes a point where you need a pressure release to help clear the cobwebs and remind you of the beauty and good things that still exist in the world.

There are many helpful releases for the emotions of grief, sadness, and loneliness, such as: going for a walk in the woods, exercise, meditation, prayer, cleaning house, getting out of the house and just talking with a friend. Sometimes, dancing to the music that stirs your emotions or your heart can help you release some of what is bothering you.

But I have one favorite release: laughter. Not just laughter but knee slapping, tears flowing, “got to share this with someone else” laughter. With that as a premise, I want to say that a good bout of laughter can be good for you on general principles

I saw in my three grandchildren that freedom and ability when they were quite young. We all met at a park before the weather got cold. The three grandchildren hugged me. Those were the sweetest hugs!!

At Christmas my two sons and their families get together and enjoy Christmas and Thanksgiving.

One day I was feeling pretty blue. I also had not been able to sleep well the night before, which set me up for friable emotions. I talked with one dear friend the next morning. She proved to be supportive and compassionate. But, best of all, after talking with her and listening to her kidding her husband, I laughed and somehow felt better. This all helped me cope with my woes and re-energized me to face the day.

So I thought, why not try to say some funny things on Facebook to make people laugh. Being the open book kind of person that I am, I also am not afraid to share some of the dumb things I do (but not all of them).

So, on Facebook, I revealed a weird experience. I usually don’t wear makeup under my glasses for near-sighteness since I hardly went out anymore. But I decided, “I think I will dress up and put on some makeup.”

That night, when I prepared to take my makeup off, I wet the cotton ball with the makeup remover and moved it toward my closed eye to hold the solution against the mascara to soften and remove it. Suddenly, I realized that I didn’t feel anything on my eye. I had forgotten to take my glasses off and had applied the makeup remover to one lens of my glasses!

Boy, was that weird! Thinking about laughter’s healing ability, I shared my experience on Facebook. I brightened the day of others and some today! But that is not all.

Because I had opened up about my goofy experience, others shared their experiences. Something I am sure we all have done at one time or another.

Some tried to put their contacts, or even eye drops, in their eyes with their glasses on. There are tales of people looking for their glasses, not realizing they were in their hand or on their head.

There is something helpful and clearing about a good cry. What better way to elicit healthy laughter that is so overcoming that you find yourself laughing so hard that you are crying. Lisa Marie Pepe said, ” Don’t be ashamed of honest tears; they are the windshield wipers of the soul.”

There are times when, if you are able, try to balance some of the loneliness, sadness, and overpowering feelings, with laughter, whether from a memory, a friend or something goofy that just happened. It may help.