Laughter is the Best Medicine

It was a beautiful, chilly, Albuquerque morning. I had just gotten up for the day and was sitting on my balcony, enjoying that first glorious sip of morning coffee, slowly becoming aware of the litany of errands my mind had made into a “to do today” itinerary that was starting to stretch into next week. Not a good place for me to be. When I get overwhelmed with ideas and things to do, the typical result is that I freeze up and do nothing.

Knowing this about myself, I started taking a few deep breaths to clear my mind.

Out of the blue, I heard, “Ding dong bell. Pussy’s in the well,” in a kind of non-descript in tone and delivery.

“WTF was that?” I asked myself, a little alarmed at the randomness, but it gave me the giggles.

Then I heard it again, a couple of seconds later, this time with a little lilt to it: “Ding dong bell. Pussy’s in the well,”

Yes, I know… old nursery rhymes are unhinged, and apparently, they still know how to stir up a whole post-analytical study of gender roles in my head. My brain immediately went to, “Wait… what are we even teaching our kids?” and then I went into a full-out, open-mouthed, tears-rolling-down-my-face fit of laughter at the absurdity of it all. 

I said directly to the Universe, “Seriously, WTF is that?”

“It’s funny,” the words coming from everywhere and nowhere at once.

“It is funny because it came out of nowhere and relates to nothing?” I said.

“But it didn’t come out of nowhere, and it does relate, because it made you laugh.”

“How does the random inappropriateness of an old nursery rhyme and laughter relate to the litany of things I want to get done today?”

“Laughter is a little taste of what it feels like to be back home. It’s a gift you carry with you on Earth so things don’t feel so discouraging. It soothes you. It heals you. And once you’re calm inside, you can actually move through that “litany” of things you think you need to do without turning everything into a crisis.”

“A gift, huh? I never thought of it like that before ... so … since I’m always seeking self-improvement and a closer relationship with my Higher Power (and all that entails), that which I seek, I already have.”

“Exactly.”

“So, what if someone’s not seeking enlightenment or peace?”

“You naturally seek peace and enlightenment; you just don’t realize it, or it shows up in strange ways that are protective rather than giving. That’s why so many of you feel like there is always something missing in your lives. Laughter, real belly laughter like you had when we dropped the nursery rhyme, feels amazing to you because you feel your own amazing-ness in the laughter.”

“That makes sense. Nice choice.”

“Yeah. We have a special sort of way with that.”

“You’re very good at it. Thank you. Thank you for the laughter and all the gifts it carries with it. I will be sure to share it. Sharing laughter is easy.”

“That’s the idea.”

I ended up having the most amazing day in “Paula’s Purple World.” I got everything done that I wanted to do (and then some). Not in a frenzied way, but in a more magical, having-fun kind of way. Nothing felt like a chore. I pretty much “tra-la-la’d” my way through the whole day.

When you can settle yourself down first, your mindset will soften enough that you actually enjoy what you’re doing. Then, by the end of the day, you realize it all “magically” got done.

Have fun and create a life story that feels good to live, is exciting, peaceful, and comforting.  One that somehow keeps giving you more than you ever thought you could ask for.  Whatever that looks like for you.

The Universe is always communicating with us, and always offering gifts; we just have to learn how to listen and receive.

"May you Find Your ShiNe and spread your light wherever you go!"