"Laughter is the spark of the soul.” —Unknown

Do you laugh enough? In recent days, there have been instances that have reaffirmed the importance of laughter in my life. My daughter has given me many reasons to laugh. I love to laugh with her as she discovers more about what humor is and as she starts to make jokes herself. Children’s laughter is so wonderful and pure to listen to. I generally break into laughter myself just listening to children laugh.

“Beware of him who hates the laugh of a child.”
—Henry Ward Beecher

Laughter is also a good way for me to diffuse a pending argument with my daughter. I find that if I can take a step back and laugh at her throwing a fit over not having just the right outfit, or her saying she is going to move out (She is 5) because we are the meanest parents ever, it saves me a lot of frustration.

“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.” —Woody Allen

Laughter is important in all areas and in most instances in life. Recently, I was at an event with a friend. After a while, we both decided that we didn’t really want to be there anymore, but due to the circumstances of the event we didn’t feel we could just leave either. Shortly after deciding we wanted to leave, a gust of wind came up and blew over a glass of red wine on my friend, giving us the perfect excuse to leave. While it wasn’t ideal, we both had to laugh out loud at the fact that our problem had been solved for us.

“Even if there is nothing to laugh about, laugh on credit.” 
—Unknown

If we could all laugh at the toughest situations, I think this whole world would be a lot happier. Although it can be challenging to laugh when it seems like one thing after another is not going our way, I know that this is the time when we need to laugh the most. I try to remember that things usually happen for a reason, and even if it seems we have a big mountain to climb, there is always a way to get over it.

As I write this, several issues have come up at work. My first instinct was to get irritated and frustrated. In fact, I even said out loud how frustrated I was. Then I had to laugh about the irony of the topic I was in the middle of writing about. I chuckled a bit, focused on something else, and my frustration and irritation subsided.

“So many tangles in life are ultimately hopeless that
we have no appropriate sword other than laughter. ”
—Gordon W. Allport

I think it is important to surround ourselves with people who make us laugh. It is my goal to laugh every day. Even if I start the day in a funk or by feeling a little blue, it is amazing how quickly my attitude can change with a good laugh. When you can find those people who make you laugh, it is important to surround yourself with them and keep them in your life. Someone who can make you laugh is a real treasure. I am lucky enough to have family and friends who make me laugh often.

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s t
he thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills.
It’s probably the most important thing in a person.”
—Audrey Hepburn

I hope you all find multiple reasons to laugh today and every day. It’s good for your soul.