“You don’t stop laughing because you grow old…
You grow old because you stop laughing.” Unknown
My friend, Susan Scott, living in Johannesburg, South Africa challenged me to a Three Day Quote Challenge. http://www.gardenofedenblog.com/day-one-of-3-day-quote-challenge/ Susan knows that I’m addicted to quotations as I own several books on quotations that I keep near my desk. Quotations for me add enjoyment, laughter, and some quality thinking time to my life. So Thank You Susan for thinking of me.
Now, generally speaking I try to add humor to my blog often in the way of a quote or a funny picture, thanks to the internet. Since humor and laughter is critical in my life, I thought I would start with some thoughts about laughter. Because as Ella Wheeler Wilcox so wisely stated “Laugh, and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone; For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth, But has trouble enough of its own.”
Susan started her quotes regarding happiness and depression, for me that immediately brought to mind the importance of laughter. It is so easy to fall into that deep, dark, dank hole of depression if you don’t know how to look for the joy and beauty in life. Learning to appreciate what we have in life versus constantly thinking about what we don’t have can be a test. So for me laughter is the BEST medicine. As Peggy Noonan so aptly states, “Humor is the shock absorber of life; it helps us take the blows.”
“Humor is not merely the telling of funny stories. It recognizes the vast difference between life as we imagine it and life as we live it, and between the fanciful and imposing impressions we have of ourselves and what we actually are.” Brooks Atkinson
Per the rules of the Three Day Quote Challenge, I am challenging my friends:
http://www.nadinefeldman.com/2015/07/08/a-quick-hello/
https://silviatomasvillalobos.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/coronado-island/
http://breathofgreenair.com/2015/07/07/blossom-skirts/
Oh, Gwynn, I love it, and am honored to be on your list. I absolutely love quotes, like you say for the humor value and much more. There is so much wisdom packed in a quote, a truth in compact form. So lovely to hear more about Susan as well, another blog I love. All right, I accept the challenge and shall be posting on this matter … at some point (kidding). Also, love the Noonan quote. Thank you for this lovely post on this Friday afternoon.
I’m laughing! Not only did I have to post my Day One of the Challenge Three times for it to stay on my blog, but now this is my second response to you.
Have fun with the quotes and start when it is convenient to you… but then you go for three days. It is much easier than April’s A- Z Challenge. I look forward to your comments and quotes.
Hi Gwynn, I love the quotes and seeing your enthusiasm for this challenge. Your growth as a writer is shining through!
Now the funny part is that I’m desperately trying to figure out what to write about next. I’d better get cracking though, as I have to post SOMETHING today!
Thanks for your compliment Tina. I appreciate you enormously!
Hi,
I really like this one. Question for you, Why is laughter a medicine you can die from? 🙂
I just love that quote! Very well written my dear. We need more laughter in the world. In my opinion, we are taking ourselves much too seriously.
Shalom,
Patricia
Oh Pat, haven’t you heard the expression “I laughed so hard I just about DIED laughing?” The person is usually rolling on the floor with hands clutching their tummy and tears cascading out of their eyes as they laugh at something.
Like that time I flew backwards and fell during my swing dance lesson. I thought my instructor would never stop laughing. I wish I had been watching me from HIS perspective rather than my own, as I crash-landed into the hardwood floor.
Often times when life becomes SO stressful, there is nothing like a good laugh to release the stress. Sadly, some people just don’t get that fact!
Thanks, Pat for stopping by. I’m so glad your brother is doing well now! Hugs, Gwynn
soooo pleased to finally get to my plugged in operational computer now we’re back home Gwynn. It was wild out there in the bush – an elephant broke into camp last night and almost ate my computer and cell phone.
I love these quotes about laughter being the best medicine and the accompanying pictures. That babe has got it right! There are times that I’ve almost died laughing, it’s quite scary! Have almost broken a rib from rolling around on the floor and holding my guts in!
OH MY!!! Susan, you had an elephant visit you!! I can’t believe he was interested in chewing on your computer and cell phone… but at least he could then communicate wirelessly with the other elephants! 😉
I have to thank you for inviting me to your Three Day Challenge. You gave me an idea… I may continue the challenge on my own. Although, after my RANT about politicians, I hope that I can find more enlightening subjects.
I’m glad you had fun out in the wild hiking around. I’m even happier that you returned in one piece! Happy Sunday!
and dear Gwynn, I live in Johannesburg, it’s only about 1200 kms from Plettenberg Bay! And, I’m not a psychologist! I have post graduate degrees in psychology but that’s it!
Ok Susan, I have corrected my mistakes. Thanks for letting me know. I am surprised as I truly thought you were a psychologist. Then I get mixed up with you traveling back and forth. Don’t you have homes in both places?
I agree it can be confusing. Plettenberg Bay is our holiday home to which Neil plans to retire when he makes the decision. Mike lives there. But Johannesburg has been home for a long time now. We get down to Plett whenever we can; we’ll be there at the end of this month for a week …
This was a hoot! Love that little kid’s facial expression.
Thanks Nadine, Since my Day three was more of a Rant, I think I’ll see if I can continue with something more light-hearted. I must have fallen into the dark hole I mentioned earlier. Good Luck with your manuscript! I’m sending Good Vibrations your way!
Hi Nadine, For some reason I didn’t receive notification that you had commented… sorry for being late. I LOVE kids’ expressions, plus you may have noticed that I’m a quote-aholic too. 😉
Somehow I find humor in the awfulest of situations, Gwynn. It’s just in my nature and it is what gets me through. Thankfully.
I, at times, have an absurd sense of humor too. I think it is a way of releasing stress. Otherwise, I can find the strangest things to laugh at. I’m glad to hear that I’m not alone in this category. Laughing is GREAT medicine though!