Laughter and the Positive Effects

I would like to start this thread about laughter. Laughter can have many positive effects on one's body. The heart, the brain and many other parts of the anatomy and may help in other ways. Google laughter and pull it up in Wikipedia. Wow.
The thought of laughter had occured to me as I watched my young daughter and was aware of how many times in a day she would laugh. Picking her up at the pre-school and the early kindergarten class I would observe the small children laughing, some all the time. I thought how much laughter is lost as progression into adulthood.
But we can hold on to laughter, like anything else being aware and being in a state to enjoy laughter when the time is right. Jokes may be a bit much here, but there may be other ways we can show our laughter.
 
Marie 

This is supposed to be the transcript of an actual radio conversation between a US naval ship and Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October 1995. The Radio conversation was released by the Chief of Naval Operations on Oct. 10, 1995.

- Please change your direction 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.

- Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to South to avoid a collision.

- This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.

- No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.

- THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ENTERPRISE, WE ARE A LARGE WARSHIP OF THE US NAVY. DIVERT YOUR COURSE NOW!

- This is a lighthouse. Your call.

Thankful one

Gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in one's life. In gratitude we say yes to life... from Thanks - How the new science of gratitude can make you happier by Robert Emmons, Ph.D.

Dear Thankful one, thank you for an early morning chuckle!
 
Love,  Edda

Peace and joy!

A friend was at a contemplative retreat. One of the people there had a t-shirt that said, "Ask me about my vow of silence."

Thankful one

Gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in one's life. In gratitude we say yes to life... from Thanks - How the new science of gratitude can make you happier by Robert Emmons, Ph.D.

Thankful one, thanks for the humorous stories, it made my day after a very busy day of endless moving things to the basement and never ending closet cleaning.
 
Marie

I find it interesting that dogs do laugh, in the way of a normal pant. Having been a dog owner for 13 years, and never really checking into it I suspected my little friend did laugh. Hopefully not at me, but with me. Scottie, my little silky gets this look and appears to have a big smile on his face. And emits a hysterical sound and pants.  For years I would tell people he was smiling, and I got the look and oh really, sure. Well maybe he was laughing as dogs do. I 'll have to watch him more now for laughing, he usually does it when facing him, not behind my back!
 
Marie

Marie, thank you so much for the picture!!!!!!!! It made my day, and certainly made me laugh. Lovely.
It's also extra special to me because I have 2 black cats.
 
Jude

Love is the only way

                WHOOPS!
 
 
 

 
Ahhh...This is the way to relax.

Thankful one

Gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in one's life. In gratitude we say yes to life... from Thanks - How the new science of gratitude can make you happier by Robert Emmons, Ph.D.

Thank you, Marie and Grateful one, for these neat pictures! You are putting a smile on my face early this chilly morning!
 
Love,  Edda

Peace and joy!

I was recently in the office of our Social Security Department (a Disability Pension is my only source of income), telling the young, supercillious, judgemental bureaucrat about the changes to my situation (I've just entered a "Marriage-like Relationship", and changed my address).  I was getting more than a little heated, because I hate having to conform to the nonsensical rules they live by, especailly when the person on the other side of the desk is barely out of school.

Then I heard a child's musical toy, and a baby (about 9 months old) laughing as only a small child can - every joy and happiness in the whole world was in that laugh.  Filling the whole office (50 desks, an open space of "government").  For fifteen minutes.  She didn't care where she was, or who else was there.  And her mother, barely more than a child herself, let her laugh, didn't try to hush her, in fact joined in.

And the whole place changed.  Like the sun suddenly shone in the room.  And the person dealing with me looked me in the eye for the first time and SMILED!

I think I'll hire one of those every time I have to go into a similar situation.  Maybe the government could employ parents with giggly babies in all their offices.

With Love
Joe

Marie, Thankful one and Joe, thank you so much for your heart-warming contributions! It is thanks to you that I can end my day with a smile or two, or - why not? - even laughing out loud... 

Juliana
_____________________________
Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Joe Harmony, what a touching encounter. Thank you for sharing this with us. The situation was turned around from a gigly child, from the lips of a precious child. It makes one wonder, we were children once and maybe we have done the same for someone(s) and we still can using the Graces we have been Blessed with.
 
God Bless you
Marie
 

Thankful One, What a cute, funny picture. It has reminded me to wear good traction boots and walk slowly on ice or this could be me! LOL Thanks.
 
Marie  

Jude, I could identify with the picture of the black cat too. I had a wonderful black cat who was very people orientated and so gentle. This picture had refreshed warm memories of her and a good laugh.
 
Blessings to you
Marie
 

Juliana, The sharing of warmth, comfort, compassion and smiles that has been my experience receiving from everyone here in the forum has become a very gracious imprint in the future.
 
Amen.
 
Smiling,
Marie

All eyes were on the radiant bride as her father escorted her down the aisle. They reached the altar and the waiting groom; the bride kissed her father and placed something in his hand.
 
The guests in the front pews, and the minister, responded with ripples of laughter. As her father gave her away in marriage, the bride had given him back his credit card.

Thankful one

Gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in one's life. In gratitude we say yes to life... from Thanks - How the new science of gratitude can make you happier by Robert Emmons, Ph.D.

 
You are riding a horse. In front of you there is a fire engine. You are being followed by a helicopter. To your left a sports car is driving. And to your right there is a depth.
 
The Question: How can you arrange that you will all stop simultaneously without colliding and without mutual communication? 
 
 
The Solution: You ask the man of the merry-go-round to stop it.
 
 
Marie
 
 
 

The phone rang. It was a salesman from a mortgage refinance company. "Do you have a second mortgage on your home?"

"No," I replied.

"Would you like to consolidate all your debts?"

"I really don't have any," I said.

"How about freeing up cash for home improvements?" he tried.

"I don't need any. I just recently had some done and paid cash," I parried.

There was a brief silence, and then he asked, "Are you looking for a husband?"

Thankful one

Gratitude is the acknowledgement of goodness in one's life. In gratitude we say yes to life... from Thanks - How the new science of gratitude can make you happier by Robert Emmons, Ph.D.

The local news station was interviewing an 80-year-old lady because she had just gotten married -- for the fourth time.

The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband's occupation.

"He's a funeral director," she answered.

"Interesting," the newsman thought. He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.

She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she'd first married a banker when she was in her early 20s, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40s, later on a preacher when in her 60s, and now in her 80s, a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

She smiled and explained, "I married one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go."

Received from Marjorie Brundage by the Good Clean Funnies List - gcfl.net
 
Thankful one

Thankful one, too funny. A good way to close the day. Thanks.
 
Marie

Thankful one and Marie, ending the day laughing, starting the next one laughing - what better way could there be?   I will pass the stories on to teachers of English, so they can make their students have a good laugh. Thank you!!! The second polar bear picture finally explains the meaning of "laid back" to me, which had me puzzled ever since my son brought it back from his stay in the USA.

A little adventure of mine is in a calmer vein, but it still makes me smile. When in the USA for the first time, I was nervous at the airport, having heard about strict checks. When a threatening-looking tall guy with some sort of weapon fixed to his belt approached me, I was actually frightened. He came quite close... saying, "You look beautiful today, madam!" (I am still puzzled as to why he would say "today", having never seen me before ).

Juliana
_____________________________
Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Yes, isn't it nice to have a smile on your face!
 
Today was a rather boring one for me and tiring too really. A 2 hour journey to hospital by bus and foot, an hour and a half waiting to be seen at hospital, 5 minutes consultation another 2 hours journey home. the weather was wet and windy. My unbrella was blown inside out, I got wet and slipped on some mud. Lovely!!
However, I was kept amused by remembering a conversation overheard while waiting in the queue for the free hospital bus.
 
Wife: walks over to look at bus timetable. She squints at it and says, "What do the times say? I haven't got my glasses on."
Husband: "Mmm." walks over and looks at timetable.
Wife: "Of course the buses are being held up by the traffic."
Husband:"Mmm."
Wife:They are being held up arnen't they luv?"
Husband: "Mmm."
Wife:"You haven't got your hearing aid on have you Luv?............Have you?"
Husband:Grunts.
 
We are all on our way to the Eye,Ear, Nose and Throat department.
 
Jude
 
 

Love is the only way

Juliana what a welcome you had at the airport and learned of how some greetings differ in what is said. Myself, I have often said and still do say how are you today, even if I do not know the person. Maybe because I have had it said to me so many times. I never thought about it until now.
 
Marie

Jude, I am sorry you had such a hectic day with the weather in reaching your destination. But it sounds as if it was good to have the company and a couple of laughs to go with it.
 
Thank you
Marie  

I have holes in my top and bottom, my left and right, and in the middle. But I still hold water.
What am I?
 
Solution: A Sponge
 
What goes up and down the stairs without moving?
 
Solution: A Rug
 
You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?
 
Solution: An Ear of Corn or a Chicken
 
I can run but not walk. Wherever I go, thoughts follow close behind me. What am I?
 
Solution: A Nose
 
What goes around the world but stays in a corner?
 
Solution: A Stamp
 
 
Marie
 

Marie, Thankful one, Juliana, Joe, Jude, thank you for all your posts. Laughter truly is the best medicine. A dear friend whose husband died recently sent out an email to all of us several weeks ago asking that we send her as many silly stupid jokes as we could find. She said she and her husband used to laugh a lot together and she really missed it. Now we all make sure she gets at least one good laugh a day. Thank you for beginning several of my days with a laugh.Jude, I am sorry your trip was so difficult but your story is priceless. Your line at the end provides the perfect punchline

We are all on our way to the Eye,Ear, Nose and Throat department.

Yesterday is gone forever.Tomorrow may not come. Live Fully each moment today. Look for Good Things that Happen to you Every Day.

Marie, I did not dare to mention what else had me puzzled when in the States, for fear someone might take it amiss. (And that is certainly what I want least of all!)  As you have come up with it, though, let me confirm what you have said. Going to a hardware store with my friend the first morning, it took me by surprise that all the staff there asked her how she was, but she never stopped to answer. When I asked her, "Do all these people know you?" she replied, "No. Why?" This is how I found out that "How are you" isn´t a question to which you expect an answer. In my country, we still do, although hardly anybody stops to listen to a more detailed description of one´s state, and people often answer by saying o.k., even if they aren´t. My friend Karin has been trying to change this, by advising people in her workshops a) to only ask if you really have the time to listen, and b) to invite them to a cup of coffee (Austria being a coffee country with lovely cafés) if they are in some sort of trouble. [sm=kiss.gif]

Juliana
_____________________________
Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Juliana I see what you are talking about. Yes, when asking someone, a stranger in passing or at the stores some do give an answer to the question of, "How are you?", and some do not. Some brush over the question and on to the sale to get you in and out quickly. They are not being rude or unfriendly they are just trying to be efficient. Even if you are not given an answer to how are you, you may get a smile at the end, and "Have a good day", even though they may not have answered "How are you", (today).  I try to give both a hello, and if they seem not busy or preoccupied, and make eye contact I then will say "How are you"?, and then listen for an answer. Most of the times it is a brief answer and sometimes a few will give you a detailed answer to the question addressed. Such as neighbors or regular people you may see at regular travelled places. It is a matter of call to each person and how approachable and not hurried someone may be. Or, if they look as if they need to be asked " How are you", to give them a moment to take them away from their rush.
 
I hope I may have clarified this. My sentences seem to be run ons and I always go back to erase too many words I may have said. I have worked on this for many years now. Always room for improvement on my part. LOL (Laugh out loud) I am not sure if you use this term.
 
Juliana I am sorry to hear of your fall. Take care.
 
Have a good day.
Marie
 
 
 

I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
 
Police were called to a daycare where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
 
Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
 
The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
 
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
 
When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
 
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
 
A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
 
A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
 
Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
 
We'll never run out of math teachers because they always multiply.
 
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, UCLA.
 
The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did a number on it.
 
The professor discovered that her theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.
 
The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
 
If you take a laptop computer for a run, you could jog your memory.
 
A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
 
What's the definition of a will? (It's a dead giveaway.)
 
A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two-tired.
 
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
 
A backward poet writes inverse.
 
In a democracy, it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that
votes.
 
A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
 
If you don't pay your exorcist, you can get repossessed.
 
With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
 
Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.
 
When a clock is hungry, it goes back four seconds.
 
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
 
A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulting in Linoleum Blownapart.
 
You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
 
He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
 
A calendar's days are numbered.
 
A lot of money is tainted: 'taint yours and 'taint mine. (My favorite)
 
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
 
He had a photographic memory that was never developed.
 
A plateau is a high form of flattery.
 
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
 
When you've seen one shopping center, you've seen a mall.
 
When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.
 
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead-to-know basis.
 
Santa's helpers are subordinate clauses.
 
Acupuncture: a jab well done.

Found on the Internet on www.gcfl.net
 
Thankful one

A transcript of the new PABX answering service recently installed at the Institute of Mental Health :
Hello and welcome to the mental health hot-line
If you are Obsessive Compulsive , press 1 repeatedly.
If you are Co-dependent, please ask someone to press 2 for you.
If you have Multiple Personalities, press 3, 4, 5 & 6.
If you are Paranoid, we know who you are and what you want.  Stay on the line so we can trace your call.
If you are Delusional, press 7, and you call will be transferred to the Mother Ship.
If you are Schizophrenic, listen carefully and a small voice will tell you which number to press.
If you are Dyslexic, press 96969696969696.
If you have a Nervous Disorder, please fidget with the hash key until a representative comes on the line.
If you have Amnesia, press 8 and state your name, address, phone number, date of birth, social security number and your mother's and grandmothers' maiden names.
If you have Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, slowly and carefully press 000.
If you have Bi-polar Disorder, please leave a message after the beep. Or before the beep.  Or after the beep.  Please wait for the beep.
If you have Short Term Memory Loss, please try your call again later.
If you have Low Self Esteem, please hang up.  All our operators are far too busy to talk to you.

Weekly Workout

Monday
Beat about the bush
Jump to conclusions
Climb the walls
Wade through the morning paper

Tuesday
Drag my heels
Push my luck
Make mountains out of molehills
Hit the nail on the head

Wednesday
Bend over backwards
Jump on the bandwagon
Run around in circles
Bury my head in the sand

Thursday
Put our best foot forward
Blow my own horn
Pull out all the stops
Add fuel to the fire

Friday
Open a can of worms
Put my foot in my mouth
Start the ball rolling
Go over the edge

Saturday
Pick up where I left off

Sunday
Rest on my laurels
Gather at the river
Walk off into the sunset

Marie: Thank you for responding! LOL is well-known here, as is all computer language, it is exclusively in English! We even create new German verbs out of English ones, speaking of googeln, surfen, posten etc.

Thankful one:  Reading everything out loud, I managed to see the point of each one of the sentences, except the one about the math professor who went crazy with the blackboard. I can´t see why. The one about Santa´s helpers is my favorite!

Joeharmony: The Weekly Workout is neat, and some of the idioms exist in German as well. Not all of them, though: I still have to find out about "Gather at the river".

Juliana
_____________________________
Speak Peace in a World of Conflict

Thankful one, I thought for a minute you'd been at the Christmas crackers again!!!!!!
 
Jude

Love is the only way

Juliana, "Gather at the river" is, I believe, a quote from a hymn, "Shall we gather at the river", by Robert Lowry 1864.
You can google the title or go to http://www.preciouslordtakemyhand.com/christianhymns/shallwegather.html
You can listen to it on that site.
 
Edda

Peace and joy!

Jude, love it " the Christmas crackers". I had at least 5 laughs remembering these words today. I never heard it put this way before.
 
Thanks
Marie 

Marie, thank you. That's absolutley wonderful  Jude

Love is the only way

Here's one that I found very inspiring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNqJxuq3oJk

With Love
Joe