Remember to Laugh
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I met a man named Mike today that gave me something to always hold true and continuously work towards. He told me, "Remember to laugh." When I heard it I thought that was so weird because I'm also someone who believes in the power and meaning behind phrases. The phrase he told me made me think about how many people are unable to see the humor in their own lives. This form of humility is one of the greatest ways to a positive lifestyle.
This article will focus on the ability to critically look at your own life from the perspective of finding the humor.
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How did you get here? Seriously, did you ever think this would happen? Take a second to record and/or write what you thought about.... If your mind went negative, there's a habit that needs to be broken. Our ability to maintain a positive outlook comes from a routine of positively reinforced habits. How do you break habits? By overwriting the one you don't want. Sounds easier than it is doesn't it?
When I spoke with Mike he discussed how he always felt bad watching the news and began realizing the negative experiences were happening all over the world. He reminded me of many thought-provoking ideas that I would like to put into questions for your own healing:
1) What are your immediate needs? And can they become obtainable through your basic skills?
2) How flexible are you when adversity or hardships come?
3) When you feel your heart breaking, how do you respond to it?
4) What do you do alone that you fear no one ever finds out? What would happen if someone shares that experience with you?
5) If you are married, have you told your spouse something your embarrassed by but would love to share that experience with them?
6) If you are looking for a partner, what would be the funniest situation how you met? Have you ever written the story how you met your perfect stranger?
7) Have you ever danced naked in front of a mirror? (Seriously)
8) Isn't it weird that Sponge Bob washes dishes with a rag?
These questions ranged from odd to flat out ridiculous... But some of them made you smile didn't they? The power of humor finds itself in the smallest crevices of our worst situations. That is why comedians are able to create the best jokes because they typically revolve around hardships.
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To know you are extraordinary like everyone else changes how you are willing to isolate and experience the pain. Comedians have been able to put themselves outside of their personal hardships and cultivate a story worth telling again. Become the comedian of your own story. It provides itself like a muscle, the more you use it, the more you lose the anguish.
Taking the time to remember to laugh throughout your day will bring a bit of joy and ultimately your true self back. In my profession (mental health counseling), I find that many depressed people are in a dismal place; not able to truly move forward, yet staying afloat to "seem normal". The only thing I find that makes them able to snap out of this whirlwind of emotions is humor and the ability to accept their own disposition.
Remember to laugh, it may be the only reminder that you can make mistakes too.