One of my favorite experiences in life is seeing Eric laugh. A few years ago, Eric and I attended a Tim Hawkins concert and I watched Eric laugh harder and longer than I’d ever seen him laugh. He was doubled over, falling out of his chair laughing. It blessed my heart so much because he works so hard and does not get to let loose and have fun as often as I wish he could.
Laughter Heals
In my thirty plus years on this planet, I’ve found few methods of therapy as mood boosting and healing as deep, belly laughter. As a teen, my friends and I would get tickled over some silly comment or situation and laugh heartily for minutes at a time.
When I was about fourteen, my parents and I all bowed our heads to pray over dinner. When no one spoke, we all opened our eyes a little to see why no one was praying. After sitting in silence for what seemed like forever, we burst out laughing – at least Mom and I did. For whatever reason, that experience made us cackle for probably an hour or more. My poor dad didn’t get it, but he ate his dinner and put up with us anyway. ~smile~
After a few good belly laughs, I’m ready to take on the world. It’s like the laughter breaks up the emotional gunk inside and moves it out of the body. Laughter heals.
Laughter Opens Clenched Arms
It’s important to be able to laugh with your life partner because laughter calms the heart and loosens us up. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”– Proverbs 17:22, ESV
I once remember Mark Lowry saying that people cannot laugh and keep their arms crossed. They have to bring their arms down. When we’re angry, bitter, frustrated, and sometimes just disconnected from our sweeties, we can theoretically cross our arms to keep our hearts safe. But, when our arms are crossed, they are not open for an embrace.
Laughing together regularly keeps those arms down and the heart light. If you and your sweetie go too long without laughing, you can expect a lot of emotional junk to build up inside. Release it! Go see your favorite comedian. Have fun friends over to play games. Do something silly. Do what it takes to be carefree and laugh with your partner.
Laughter Makes Us Friends
If I meet someone with whom I cannot laugh, we probably won’t ever be real friends. All of my friends are great laughers and they all have a distinct laugh that I love. One laughs quietly but with tears in her eyes. One can’t seem to breathe well when she laughs, but she lets out a few tsk tsk tsks. ~smile~ One friend lets out a long HAAAAAAA before she commences laughing. I tend to throw my head back and belt out a big laugh. Laughing is fun, plain and simple.
C.S. Lewis said, “Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .’”I completely agree and I think laugher takes friendship a step further.
We begin by realizing what we have in common, and we connect and reconnect as we laugh and experience life together. Why do I love being around my friends? Because it’s like free therapy! We share stories, validate each other, and then release our tension with some great laughs. And more important than physical attraction… is friendship.
Marry Your Best Friend!
Believe it or not, the day may come when you and your spouse cannot express yourselves physically as often as you once did; but, if you are good friends, you can still enjoy each other’s company and companionship for as long as you both shall live. Make time for the lighter side. Laugh together often. Strengthen that bond.
If you are dating someone with whom you cannot laugh and let your hair down, he or she may not be your best fit. Laughter is not everything, but in a harsh world filled with trouble we need it to keep our spirits up. At the risk of sounding mushy and cliché, I must advise you to “Live well, laugh often, and love much.” ~smile~
Do you and your sweetie laugh together often?