A Space to Laugh

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that I haven’t exactly been smiley and happy lately. The pandemic is definitely taking a very real mental and physical toll.

So, I’m taking the advice of experts. I’m exercising, meditating, eating well, and trying to get enough sleep. I’ve been doing that pretty much every day, and it has helped.

A lot.

But what I realized I haven’t been doing very much of lately is smiling or laughing.

Yesterday, I heard my kid laughing. He laughed and laughed. It was one of those big belly laughs that fills up a room. It’s the kind of laugh that starts low and rumbles through the body, bursting out of the mouth and into the space all around.

It’s one of those laughs that pulls anyone within ear-shot right into the joy.

Tangible, tactile joy.

And I was right there, to hear and feel it all! And so, for the first time in a long time, I laughed, and laughed, and laughed…right along with my precious and joy-filled three year old.

What a lesson!

It was like every fiber of my being had been yearning for laughter. And even though I’d been following the advice of the “experts” (which I will continue to do)…I missed an important lesson.

Real living isn’t only about doing. It’s also about feeling and taking up our glorious and unique space. And that space must be filled with gratitude and joy. And lots of big-belly laughter!

It must!

Thoreau says “the earth laughs in flowers”.

I agree!

So today, I’m channeling my inner sunflower and laughing with my kid and Mama Earth.

I encourage you to do the same!

Be safe. Be kind. I’m thinking of you all!

Peace and Love, Shelly