Laughing & Learning ~ another perspective

They say that laughter is the best medicine. I don't think it only needs to be used to cure ailments! Whether consciously or unconsciously I take every opportunity I can to laugh; be it at my friends, the situation or myself!  You'd think with all the laughing I do I'd have completely flat abs...but not so much!

In preparation for writing this I was in need of inspiration, Mandy sent me some articles from  her other blog. I read them; then responded "this is why you got learn then laugh & I get laugh then learn."  She then sent me an article that I had written for her blog over a year ago. I read the first sentence and was laughing hysterically. Laughing at what I wrote, laughing at the experience it took me back to and what I'd learned and have carried forward in my life from then onward.  My life seems to be filled with shenanigans that are not always my fault but often orchestrated by me accidentally of course!  And by accident, I've learned something in the midst of my laughter.

With everything that's going on in my life I try my best to see the upside of the situation. I'm the glass is half-full person, always the eternal optimist!

I'm currently taking a pottery class something I haven't done since college. I don't remember throwing clay being this tough previously. I was trying to center clay on the wheel the other day and by the time I finally accomplish this over half of what I started with was in the discard pile. I was covered in slip, it was even in my hair!  What was going to be something large and amazing turned out to be small and so different from my initial vision. I find that working with clay is rather similar to dealing with people. It has to be handled gently, it has a memory and very often you have to go much slower than anticipated (I tend to want to be speed racer; I prefer instant gratification as opposed to waiting patiently). 

I laugh at the process, this has made it easier for me to learn.  Recently, I was thanked by one of my classmates that my laughter has become contagious. I've developed new friendships (I'm now the pseudo daughter for the women in the class) and have learned much more than I would have anticipated. I value the lessons learned.

As long as you're enjoying the process and being in the moment that's the important part! Do you laugh and learn or learn and laugh? We'd love to hear about your process!

Connect

What is it to connect?  It’s so easy today to avoid connecting with the people and the world around us.  We get caught up in our own minutia not realizing there is whole world interacting around us.  Connections are different for everyone.  What feels like an easy way to connect for me might seem incredibly terrifying for someone else.  I’m more of an extravert so striking up a conversation with a random person on the street, which I did last night, is just one of the numerous ways I connect with the world around me.  I make a point to go outside, take my shoes off and feel the ground underneath (I prefer sand and water but often settle for the grass in front of my apartment).  Each of these connections allows me embrace my surroundings and inspire me in different way.  I find regardless of the type of connection I’m making the most important thing is to be present in the moment.  Not thinking about what I have to do or imposing a particular outcome on the experience…just being there with all of my intention.

My car is in the shop, knowing I was going to be car-less for a day or two, I loaded my beach cruiser into my car prior to going to the repair shop.  Once done there I embraced my two mile journey home.  I confirmed that while biking I still do not like busy intersections (mental note: be more cognizant of the three foot bike law) and avoided those as much as possible, making me take a different path home.  Not going so fast I had the time to discover new treasures in my “neighborhood”.  There is a paper store with my friends name and a very unique iron works shop.  I believe there’s a hidden food establishment nearby (an adventure for another day) for the air changed from crisp, brisk, fall air to pizza filled.  I had to ride under the freeway, which sounded strangely like a train.  One intersection away from my destination, the sounds of the environment changed from industrial to laugher from the corner restaurant.  It wasn’t until that moment I realized my route had been people free.  Running errands later in the day on my bike was another adventure I again had time to take embrace my surroundings.  I complimented an elderly lady on her purple hat, I noticed Halloween decorated yards (these tend be huge sights around here since my area is filled with special effects people), I complimented two men on their progress on putting up a haunted house, it looked more like a scary clown house, to which I was invited to come back and check out the final product.  I don’t like to be scared so I told them I’d probably pass but then they invited me to be one of the ones scaring people, I said I’d think about their offer.  I was also complimented on how cute my bike was.

The compliment I received was delightful!  I re-learned that even the simplest connections have a huge impact on ones attitude and behavior and no matter how minute, have a ripple effect.  I’m making time and effort to have more connections.  I have started taking a class, have joined a support group for kids who have become caregivers (something I was completely against before), send random texts to my friends spreading my form of joy and of course I walk barefoot outside! 

There are so many ways to connect: compliment a stranger, call a friend, volunteer, write a letter (and mail it), send an unexpected text or email, smell the flowers while exploring your neighborhood and of course walk barefoot even if it is just in your house (although outside is a completely different experience)!

We love to be inspired & embrace your ideas!  Please share ways that you find connections with the people and world around you!