WILDLY FREE ELDER
The Artistry of Aging
DAY 2: Whimsy & Humor
Laughter is such an important healing force for me, and for most humans I would say. It takes us out of our daily humdrum, and at times challenging lives, and allows us to lighten up and see the extraordinary in the ordinary. It also brings us closer together – to ourselves and to others. And it stimulates the feel good chemicals in our body!
Who hasn’t shared a belly laugh, or uncontrolled laughter with others where tears are rolling down our faces. Just a couple of weeks ago I was taking my regular morning walk to the Nature Park, only two blocks away from home, where I engage with doggies and their humans and others out to simply take some moments in nature.
That day I ran across two women who innocently asked me about where the path goes and in the telling of that we stuck up a most engaging conversation – like minded hearts and souls sharing anecdotes and each others presence. During that delightful conversation I made the comment about the only time I wish I was male is when out hiking along trails or camping in the wilderness.
One woman looked at the other and pointed at her saying – oh she has that covered! I then heard (and had demonstrated for me) about a device that women can take camping that directs urine away from the body making squatting unnecessary. All 3 of us howled with laughter as Thalia demonstrated what it was like, and how powerful it felt, to direct a urine stream away from the body anywhere you darn well please. Well men we now understand about the peeing contests! Out of that spontaneous connection I have gained a friend, Joan. I look forward to more delightful conversations and deepening of the friendship.
Every day I open to laughter, humor and whimsy as a precious gift. Like today when going out my door, I looked up and saw a young man in full Santa costume riding a motorcycle down the hill. He was so quick that it was only a momentary experience, but it left me with a smile on my face and was something I shared with others during the day bringing a smile to theirs.
When we see through the lens of whimsy and humor, and share it with others, everything seems a tad less serious.
Please share YOUR experiences with us!!
About 31 Days of Joy & Laughter Project:
As elders with a long life behind us and not as much embodied life before us, and as humans on the planet Earth at this time, we are being faced with incredible challenges that compete to take our attention.
A couple of days ago I realized I no longer choose to have my attention taken by the fear, doom and gloom broadcast daily, whether on our smart phones news feed or while talking to others. I am weary of it all and need a higher vibration energy bath!.
It is not that I don’t want to know what is happening in the world, but instead the question I am posing to myself, and to you, every day is – where do we want to place our attention? We most always have a choice.
For the month of December I am placing attention on joy, laughter, creativity and acts of kindness as a experiment to see what unfolds. Seeking out and being aware of moments of joy sometimes hidden in the deep pockets and lining of each and every day that seem to get passed over without even looking back. They are always there.
Each day in December you will find a small nugget of joy, humor, creativity or small act of kindness that found me and pulled my attention which will be posted here. I invite you to join me and share your experiences and what you noticed so that we may spread it around! (Please use the “Comment” section below).
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Gaye Abbott, Natural Passages Consulting, 12/2/21. Please feel free to share this post and link to WildlyFreeElder.