Tag: laughter

the gift of laughter

I am especially glad of the divine gift of laughter; it has made the world human and lovable, despite all its pain and wrong.

 

Laughter can renew like a short nap in the afternoon or a refreshing journey outside after a long day.

My mother and I have always had a way of sharing a burst of laughter that might touch us so deeply it can bring soul-washing tears. Under stress, feeling pain or the burden of grief, we can find ourselves noticing something silly one of us may have said. In a snap, we are moved into Grace-filled and stress-releasing laughter. And in those moments, we know laughter’s divine gift.

No one can plan this type of laughter. It is spontaneous and comes from a deep place in each of us. It is healing and brings people together.

At this time in our world, I pray we share much of this type of laughter- amongst ourselves and beyond our neighborhoods.

We are in need of its healing and its ability to unite.

Quote: W.E.B. Du Bois
PHOTO: Eye for Ebony

 

found in Gratefulness.org

In honor of memory…

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MEMORIES AND STORIES

Sitting in the back of the Unit’s Dining Room,
laughing & laughing.
It all goes away, you understand, all the memories…
of family Sunday dinners & Midwest childhoods
& a young girl’s dance.
And more.

It ALL goes away, memories & stories
taking flight like birds that have stayed
too long in the Fall, and felt a North Wind.

Awayyyyyyyyyyyy it all goes,
even Dignity, of course —
until all that is left is
laughter & companionship.
What else really matters?

A Flock of Memories will wait for us
on the far side of The Green Hill,
like children excited at our Return. Words by Scott Fisher

For more reflections and inspiration visit:
Episcopal Cafe

A Larger Landscape

While we cry ourselves to sleep, gratitude waits patiently to console and reassure us; there is a landscape larger than the one we can see.
Sarah Ban Breathnach

How is it tears and laughter always seem to intermingle? I believe there is a grace-filled dance between these two emotions. A dance where we can move finding solace and strength. While we take these steps, there is comfort in knowing the bigger picture may not yet be seen but with all certainty – is out there.
Practice the dance of tears and laughter – if just may offer the balance you seek and plant the assurance that the larger landscape will unfold.

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