We can because we believe we can

A reminder to laugh …. are we all too serious?

Sunday, July 25th, 2010

This month’s blog is written with a light heart and a warm smile – I am sitting on my bed this Sunday morning with the day ahead full of those admin tasks that are always on the ‘to do’ list that appears to expand each week just like my handbag collection that needs strict restrictions applied and fast!

As much as it is important to take time to deal with the essential bills, filing and general house keeping it is also important to keep the soul alive, enjoy your friends, family and life. For the last five months I have had an incredible contract with one of our major banks that whilst being challenging, motivating and empowering has also left me little time for anything else. It becomes very easy to engross oneself in work, especially when you enjoy what you are doing. I had become unaware of how much I was working until a city break last weekend opened my eyes to the importance of laughter, time out and leaving work behind on a Friday afternoon – yes it will still be there on Monday morning!

They say laughter is the best form of medicine and research has shown that it increases your blood flow, may reduce the risk of heart disease and has also been found to help fight infection, relieve hay fever and help ease pain. Well that’s great to hear and who knows it may be true, all I know is how it makes me feel – ON TOP OF THE WORLD!!!

Last weekend was a harsh reminder that as adults we so often take everything so seriously, forgetting the importance of fun, laughter and happiness that helps keep our spirits high, hearts light and mind sane. When was the last time you really laughed? – and I mean REALLY!, when the sides of your tummy ache and your cheeks feel so sore they could burst – I laughed like that last weekend and had forgotten how great it is. The world passes us by so fast and it appears with technology that it just gets faster – we are no longer content to take things easy, often seeing time as a restriction and hindrance in getting what we want, and when we get there we no longer enjoy celebrating our success, only looking to what next and the desire to ‘keep up with the Jones’s’. This is a sad effect that money, success and status has had on our economy and whilst I myself am always striving to be the best in my field, deliver over and above in the work that I do, I am also reminded than in order to maintain these high standards the mind and body desperately need ‘down time’ and a chance to re-charge.

There is a happy medium to be had by all and the first step to this is reminding yourself to laugh, have fun and sometimes return to those cheeky childhood years that found you sticking chewing gum to your teacher’s seat, raiding the larder for midnight feasts and drenching your siblings during the summer water fights!!! – So often we forget these precious memories that have made us who we are today.

So as we move into August, summer holidays and the familiar sound of ice-cream vans, I would encourage you to take time out, slow down a little and keep the corners of your mouth curling up at least 5 times a day!!! – There is no substitute for that belly laugh; even if it does give you more wrinkles!!!

The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.  ~e.e. cummings

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