There are so many sad things going on in the world that sometimes a good belly laugh is just what we need to release some of life stresses. Have you ever laughed until you cry? The experience is a catharsis that leaves us feeling good.

I graduated high school at 17 and worked as a tech at a psychiatric facility in Vermont. We had to rotate shifts monthly. I did not adjust well to working nights. Part of my night duty chores was to clean the bathroom. My friend Sharon and I were cleaning this large multi-stall bathroom in the middle of the night. Suddenly, we were struck by a fit of laughter. Before long one of us splashed the other and then the other splashed back and it escalated to throwing and dodging buckets-full of water. We were hilarious or rather delirious with laughter. All the while we knew our mischief could get us into big trouble should our supervisor happen upon the scene. When we wore ourselves out we cleaned up all the water and the room sparkled. This memory lingers fondly.

When I was a full-time nursing student I needed a job. A friend suggested I apply where she worked as they had an opening. I was hired. I worked in the credit department of a nearby furniture store. My job was to call people who were delinquent on their payment plan and ask them to mail a payment. One evening I went to work feeling overtired and I caught a case of the giddies, which as you know is contagious. Mindful that I was on the clock I called my next customer. "Hello, Mrs. S this is Elizabeth from the credit department…(laugh out loud.) Excuse me, I am sorry, (outburst of laughter and co-workers hysterical)…but I am calling because….(laughing fit)…your payment is past due…..hahahaha…oh, my gosh, I’m so sorry, I think I am overtired." Fortunately, Mrs. S did not seem to take offense.

It seems that at the most inopportune times, when you know you are not supposed to laugh, is when laughter erupts. Some of the funniest moments, you may not even know why you are laughing, other than it is in response to another person’s uncontrolled laughter. Laughter creates connection (as long as it is not at the expense of someone else by making fun of them.) The universe has a great sense of humor.

I share the video below to stimulate a good laugh in you. 

Liz Sorensen Wessel

Internet photo