Ahhh, our first fruit based post together.There are many subjects we could begin with here, but we'll begin with just one, the number one issue in many people's lives, or so it seems; health.
Yawnnn, health, why health? I've chosen health for one good reason. Without sound health you're either dead or dieing, and neither, in my experience of life and living, are particularly enticing. OK, I know, none of us can escape death, and let's face it, those who do manage to defy the agent of death will face Grim Reaper-cussions (please don't groan so loudly, if you do, well, I promise the puns will get worse, much worse ;-)
Hey, look, I don't mean to take the mickey about death, after all, it's no laughing matter, and on a more serious note, I'm no stranger to death myself.....
....well, not myself exactly, I'm still here writing this, but my mother and father are no longer with us (no, they've not gone away on holiday!), and many other wonderful people whom I love and cherish have also met with the reaper of souls....
....but life, yes life in its totality, still goes on.
So, tell me, are you going to die? By the way, the answer is 'Yes', it's simply a matter of when. Well then, you might as well die healthy!
Well there's no escape is there, physical death is on its way, but in the mean time why not enjoy life to the max? And don't answer that by saying its all pointless, that life is meaningless.....
....life is good, if you don't believe me just ask someone to put a pillow over your face for a couple of minutes and see how you react to that! You get my point? I take it that you do. So, breathe easy now, and let's you and I talk about enjoying the life we have here and now.
There is no healthier way to die than through natural causes, having lived a good old life. We only get 70-80 years on average, if we're lucky, and so we could do worse than making sure we eat good wholesome food and drink good wholesome drinks . . . even if we do enjoy a glass or two of wine once in a while.
NUTS!
Don't you just love them? I apologize if you're one of those folk who are allergic to them but many people do love nuts, I'm one of them, and in another post I'll be writing about nuts aplenty, but today we'll chat about the amazing health benefits of . . . humour and laughter!
Just how funny is humour? Well on a good day it can be very funny, on a bad day it can be very unfunny, and on an average day it can end up being pretty average. But never forget, it's you who is having the good, bad or just plain average day, not the joke. By the way, did you know that some people are as allergic to jokes as others are to nuts? I know, how nuts is that?
Look, if you're not getting the joke, well it isn't the jokes fault, no, it's yours! And always remember, one man's joke is often at another's expense, which is probably why you don't get it! So, if you aren't finding humour to be very funny, the best thing you can do is take a diversion off of the sense of humour by-pass! There are other routes you can take, and the good news is that you get to choose them! That reminds me, I have a question for you . . .
When was the wheel invented?
When someone eventually got a round to it.
You see, that was designed to make you laugh, snicker or groan, yes . . . groan. Adults will often groan at what is perceived as obvious forms of humour. Why? Because they have switched off. Children love this type of obvious humour and can laugh at it innocently. Adults, on the other hand, are more likely to have a twinge of envy, and "why didn't I think of that?". It is this envy in adults that subconsciously causes them to groan. As time goes on, it can only be hoped that we adults will eventually learn to react more like a child and less like a groan-up!
Through observation it's easy to see that children love all forms of obvious humour, puns are a good example. They laugh because they are still innocent beings. They have not had their wonderful sense of humour obliterated through the conditioning process.
Also, children laugh much more often than adults do. On average the adult will only laugh ten times a day, but a child laughs about three hundred times a day. Yes, 300 laughs a day, that's how serious they are about not taking life too seriously; perhaps we adults could learn something from them, what do you think?
Let's give it a try, look, here are the main health benefits of re-discovering your sense of humour and learning to laugh at life once more:
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Right, so we've looked at humour and laughter, what about smiling? Well smiling is almost as good, it's a very powerful way to live your life. You'll have noticed that serious people very rarely smile, why? Well they haven't got the time, they have so many things to worry about; until the doctor tells them they have six months to live, and then all their other worries miraculously ebb away . . .
Through observation it's easy to see that children love all forms of obvious humour, puns are a good example. They laugh because they are still innocent beings. They have not had their wonderful sense of humour obliterated through the conditioning process.
Also, children laugh much more often than adults do. On average the adult will only laugh ten times a day, but a child laughs about three hundred times a day. Yes, 300 laughs a day, that's how serious they are about not taking life too seriously; perhaps we adults could learn something from them, what do you think?
Let's give it a try, look, here are the main health benefits of re-discovering your sense of humour and learning to laugh at life once more:
Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
Right, so we've looked at humour and laughter, what about smiling? Well smiling is almost as good, it's a very powerful way to live your life. You'll have noticed that serious people very rarely smile, why? Well they haven't got the time, they have so many things to worry about; until the doctor tells them they have six months to live, and then all their other worries miraculously ebb away . . .
. . . funny that, isn't it?
The answer was pretty obvious wasn't it, seriously now ;-)
OK, I'm going to suggest that you look for humour in your life. Instead of complaining about life's frustrations, try to laugh about them. If something is so frustrating or depressing it's ridiculous, realize that you could 'look back on it and laugh.' Think of how it will sound as a story you could tell to your friends, and then see if you can laugh about it now. With this approach, you may also find yourself being more lighthearted and silly, giving yourself and those around you more to smile or laugh about. Approach life in a more mirthful way and you'll find you're less stressed about negative events, and you'll achieve the health benefits of laughter.
There you go, lots of health benefits for you and ways for you to eventually die with a smile on your face having lived a good old life, yes? Humour, laughter and smiling are three of the fruits of life. You should make sure that you consume 300 calories of laughter a day, like our children do, the exercise you'll get from it will shed pounds of stress from your life and remove a great weight off of your shoulders in the process.
WARNING: In the video below there are people who are laughing and smiling, please don't watch it if you are of a serious disposition or if you are happy to remain unhappy till death do us part!
It's been great having you visit this blog, please make a comment, and if you'll follow mine, I promise to follow yours. All the best for now,
Doug.
PS. You see, funny fruit is the best fruit of all, why? Because the fruit of laughter really is the best medicine, and it's almost herbal, isn't it?
:-)
Doug.
PS. You see, funny fruit is the best fruit of all, why? Because the fruit of laughter really is the best medicine, and it's almost herbal, isn't it?
:-)
You said, "I am a smiler, I love the company of those who smile and reflect the simple joy of being, how about you? Who's company do you most enjoy keeping, those people who are deadly serious with no sense of humour, or someone who is relaxed, smiles and makes light of problems by looking for win-win solutions?"
ReplyDeleteI hold to this: "A time to be born, a time to die, A time to plant, a time to reap, A time to kill, a time to heal, A time to laugh, a time to weep."
But, yes, I love comedy and love a good laugh and love to be with others who like a good laugh now and again.
Great new post Doug...you must have been reading my mind. I was thinking of writing a post on living life to its fullest and why people aren't so afraid to die as they are to live. Now I don't have to write that one as you have done such an eloquent job.
ReplyDeleteHello Arabella,
ReplyDeleteThank you for joining in and for sharing your wonderful approach to life...I do hope you'll be back to participate here often.
My blog is not about proving that I am right and therefore thinking that others are, by default, wrong in their perceptions, no; but it is about sharing. And that is what I would like you to continue to do with us here. Thank you :-)
Hi Shinzen, fancy seeing you here ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliment, but you really should go right ahead and write that blog post of yours, why? Because you have your own particular style, and I, and others, love it! I'll be looking out for it as always :-)
Of course I would be here Doug. Where else could I be? :)
ReplyDeleteOkay...I might just write that post. I'll see how the spirit moves me.
Ha....you got me with that one Shinzen, indeed where else could you be but where you are!?
ReplyDeleteBut this particular blog is likely to NOT push the boat out on such a magnificent truth as that, I'll leave that to the '1yogi2many' blog....for now, ahem. By the way, just how empty is your cup of enlightenment these days?
And yes, one can only write what one is moved to write when one is moved to write it ;-)
It is humor, not humour. Very similar to color. You Brits invented the language and are really messing it up! :D In all seriousness, this was a really great read. Looking forward more writings here, as well as the 1yogi2many blog.
ReplyDeleteOh so very true.
ReplyDeleteEvery summer my family gets together for a week. Some of us come for a few days other the entire seven days. There is food, old contentions, and all the family madness but more than that is the hugs. Oh and the laughter. For a full month after I'm lighter in carriage and mood.
Take care Doug it was good to see you and I'll be sure to call again.
Warm regards,
Simone
Hm, yes Mr. Methodic, indeed it is, so sorry, I forgot that humour was a 'u''s less word to some folk! On facebook I have a few Internet buddies from the USA, ahem, and I often spell the word 'humoUr' with a capital 'U' simply to make a point ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for commenting, very kind of you, by the way, I've noticed a real 'shift' in your own writing style, which reflects a shift in consciousness...very interesting :-)
Yes Simone,
ReplyDeleteLife is so simple really, it's people who complicate it, don't you think?
'Old contentions'...people holding to a past that is no more....
Anyway, the fact of the matter is this:
"Laughter dissolves distressing emotions. You can’t feel anxious, angry, or sad when you’re laughing."
That's a '1yogi2many' quote, and you can quote me on that ;-)
I do prefer to keep company with those who laugh easily. Maybe that is why I have enjoyed spending time with my niece and nephew over the years. You are so right: one cannot feel anxious, etc. when you are laughing. I have enjoyed your humo(U)r. :)
ReplyDeleteWow, a humoroUs American...do tell, are you coloUrful as well?
ReplyDeleteHi Christie,
It is really great to have you post a comment on here. Well, it so happens that I know that you have a wicked sense of humor yourself (notice I dropped the 'U' just for yoU?). This one is just for you ;-)
A man walks into a doctor's office and asks the doctor to inspect his leg. The man says, "Here, put your ear to my knee."
The doctor puts his ear to the man's knee and hears very faintly, "Come on, can I have five bucks, just five bucks?"
The doctor steps back in horror, and the man says, "I know, but it gets worse. Put your ear to my shin." The doctor puts his ear to the man's shin and hears very faintly, "Come on, can I have ten bucks, just ten bucks?"
Once again, the doctor stands up, very perplexed. The man then says, "If that surprises you, put your ear to my ankle." The doctor puts his ear to the man's ankle and hears oh so faintly, "Come on, can I have twenty bucks, just twenty bucks?"
The doctor then stands up and says, "Well, I can I make just one conclusion. Your leg is broke in three places."
Yeah, I know its bad, real bad as jokes go, but that's what makes it so good....