the miracle of laughter

Although I'm not 'hip' to the world of blogging, myspaces, etc., i'm attempting to post this blog in hopes that it makes it!


There is a picture of "The Laughing Jesus" in my office and i love looking at this picture. In fact, i love looking at anyone who I see laughing and smiling. Sometimes i see people who i know are going through a hard time laughing and smiling. I wonder, how do they do that? I also wonder, how did Jesus do that? I think i wonder because i often feel as though i am in the midst of hard times (be it personal or what i witness in the lives of others) and want to be able to continue to laugh. I don't really have the answers, but as i see it, there must be something miraculous about laughter.

Given more thought, I think that to be able to laugh, as Jesus did, means that one has allowed the miracle of hope within them to outweigh the current circumstances of life. I think that being able to laugh means that one is 'one up on' their feelings and instead of allowing their feelings to rule them, they are in charge of how they feel. I think that being able to laugh, means that one has experienced the true meaning of forgiviness, and is able to give and recieve it in the throws of life. I think that being able to laugh means that one has allowed contentment in all things and thankfulness for all things to superceed their own agenda. I think that being able to laugh shows selflessness and strength; influencing others with a smile instead of a scowl. And finally, i think that being able to laugh shows an ability to trust God; for if one is in the throws of worry one cannot laugh, but for laughter to come forth one must let go of worry (if only for a moment) and trust.

I've found that often, in the midst of something to difficult for me, i am not strong enough to practice these things. In that case, i follow the wisdom of some very wise men who said "Fake it till you make it". So put on a smile today and see what happens.