Finding Laughter: Introduction & My Plan (Day 1)

I am not easily amused. I fall between Eeyore and Tigger – in truth closer to Eeyore. So it is no surprise that I am not funny either. And when I do say something funny (quite accidentally) I have no understanding of HOW I did that.

But I am drawn to folks who are funny. Like my friend Lorna makes me laugh – a lot! I wish I had a tape recorder so that I could relisten to her words because unfortunately I always forget what it is that we laughed about.

I know there are tons of benefits from laughter. Okay, maybe only 10 or so reasons. But that is still enough reasons for me to want to learn more and actually laugh more. These next 31 days I will . . .

investigate
read
watch
interview, and
hopefully end up laughing a whole lot more this month.

If you are laughter challenged too, follow along and maybe you too will add more laughter and its benefits to your life this October.

MY PLAN

Listen to TED Talks. I will listen to at least one talk each day and report on anything I find useful. I have 50 talks on my list.
Read books and articles. I have about 15 books to look through. But that is not even 1/4th of what’s out there. Again I will report on anything I find useful.
Laugh 10 minutes a day. If Norman Cousins was able to cure his cancer and reduce pain by laughing 10 minutes a day, then 10 minutes a day might help me – maybe even with my diabetes and hip pain. I will read jokes, funny stories and/or watch something humorous. every day.
Assess bodily responses. I want to come up with an assessment plan to see how/if laughter is impacting my body, mind and emotions.
Crank up my funny bone. Will I end up laughing more by the end of the month than I do now? My hope and goal is “YES.”
I reserve the right to tweek this plan to fit in with my research, time, and evolving interests.

During this month of October I am joining LOTS of bloggers who will be writing every day about a topic. My topic is about finding laughter. I will spend time each day studying laughter to see if I can improve my laughter quotient.

Go here for the landing page which has all the posts in one spot.

Read, learn, and discover with me what this world of laughter is all about and is it all that it’s cracked up to be.

And be sure to leave a comment. Talking together will make for a richer, interactive experience for all of us.

Your Turn . . .

Are you an Eeeyore or a Tigger?
Do you think it is important to laugh every day? Why or why not?
Do you laugh easily and often? If yes, what is your secret?
If no, do you wish that you did?

Related Posts . . . I have written on laughter before. here are those posts.

Laughter Has My Gratitude
Laughter Quiz
According to this research I am more like Christopher Robin, personality-wise. Take this quiz and find out Which ‘Winnie the Pooh’ Character you most resemble.

Entry filed under: Main. Tags: 31 days of writing, laughter.

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15 Comments Add your own

1. MaryHill | . at .

It depends on my life. Some days I am an Eeeyore; others a Tigger. I want to strive to be more like Tigger. I love how Paul “thinks himself happy.” I need to think myself full of laughter. Congratulations on a great topic. I can’t wait to read more.

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- 2. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Hi Mary, thanks for the comment about Paul. I had forgotten about that aspect. Hmmmmm, this is something for me to think more about. Thanks for visiting from write31days.I will be joining you (journaling but probably not posting) with you for your series, 31 Days of 5 Minute Spiritual Journeys.
  
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3. Shelby | . at .

This is a GREAT topic and very timely. My husband just told me the other day that I don’t laugh enough these days. By nature, I think I’m a Tigger but it doesn’t take much to make me an Eeyore. I’m not familiar with TEDtalks but now I’ve gotta go check it out. Thanks!

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- 4. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Hello Shelby. I will share my list of “laughter” TED talks on Oct 5th. I hope that you find some laughter today!
  
  Thanks for visiting from write31days. Your topic, 31 Days of Embracing Blindness, is something I can learn from so I can be a better support to others.
  
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5. hopeful50 | . at .

Oh my, I am not laughter deficient – I love to laugh, and at times I even make others laugh! I told my second husband 33 years ago, *if he could keep me laughing, he could keep me* he’s done a fabulous job! xo

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- 6. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Hello Susan! What a cool gift to give others – helping them laugh. That is something I want to see if I can cultivate. Thanks for visiting from write31days. I have earmarked your series (31 Days of Proverbs) so that I keep up with it.
  
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7. Plaidfuzz | . at .

What a great topic! There is no shortage of laughter at my house. 🙂

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- 8. susan2009 | . at .
  
  How fun! Wish I lived next door to you! Any tips to share? Thanks for visiting.
  
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9. Anita Ojeda | . at .

What a creative challenge! I love it :). When my husband had cancer, there were at least two times that we laughed hysterically whilst watching a movie (My Cousin Vinny and Rat Race). The nurses got a little annoyed with us, but boy, did it feel good to laugh!

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- 10. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Hello Anita, Thanks for stopping by from write31days. You are a compelling storyteller and your topic, 31 Glimpses into the Unquiet Mind has already gripped my interest.
  
  Thanks for the 2 movie recommendations. I will check them out. And it sure does feel good to laugh when life is tragic.
  
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11. jennifer@kitchenserf | . at .

I’m pretty good at making people laugh and laughter is really important to me. In fact, next to God and my family, I’d say laughter is next on my list in terms of priorities. So, I really love your challenge. I think it’s so cool.

Side note–have you ever tried laughter yoga? I do regular yoga but I’ve heard that laughter yoga is really great for people who find laughter a challenge.

Good luck with it.

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- 12. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Hi Jennifer, thanks for visiting from write31days. Your topic, crush your food costs, is on my to-read list.
  
  I looked up laughter yoga, but there isn’t an ongoing class in my area. It is a TBA deal. But in the interest of journalism (lol) I will call the number and see if I can go to one class.
  
  I wish I lived next door to you, too. I need more laughter people in my life!
  
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13. Barbara H. | . at .

While not a “class clown,” I do love humor and laugh pretty easily most days. I subscribe to a Good Clean Funnies list and get a joke a day (http://www.gcfl.net/). Here is a quote for you:

“Mirth is God’s medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it. Grim care, moroseness, anxiety — all this rust of life ought to be scoured off by the oil of mirth. It is better than emery. Every man ought to rub himself with it. A man without mirth is like a wagon without springs, in which everyone is caused disagreeably to jolt by every pebble over which is runs.”
— Henry Ward Beecher

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- 14. susan2009 | . at .
  
  Hello Barbara,
  Thanks so much for the link; I signed up, too.
  Also thanks for the whole Beecher quote. I had only heard the first sentence. great visual about how the lack of laughter feels.
  
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15. jerralea | . at .

I’m a Tigger and love a joke. I can giggle about a funny story … for days!

I’m sure your experiment will turn out successfully and you will find more laughter in your days.

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