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Laugh It Up!!!
by Linda Larsen, CSP
© Copyright 2000

There will always be times in my life when things seem so challenging and unbearable that I feel like giving up, throwing in the towel and calling it quits.

It's unfair! Unjust! Downright Cruel! I shake my fist and rail against the heavens. Life seems to throw a high speed curve ball at me that comes out of nowhere and hits me squarely between the eyes. Someone must be to blame for this - and someone's going to pay!

OK, so maybe I do need to allow myself some time to feel the misery of the situation, to fully experience the pain - but how many times do I milk that thing to death? How many times do I whine and cry and bemoan my outcast fate until it becomes self indulgent and really BORING?!? The very best I can do may be to muster up the perspective that, "Someday I'll laugh about this." Well, if that's the case, then why don't I just laugh about it when it happens?

Why wait?

My greatest help, in those dismal times, may come from my sense of humor. My ability to use humor in the face of adversity has numerous benefits that go beyond a superficial first glance. Take a good look at what laughing actually does for us:
It shifts our perspective
It lowers blood pressure
It makes us more creative (more creativity = more sales!!)
It pumps relaxing endorphins into our bodies
It burns calories
It makes us healthier
It releases cancer fighting agents into our systems
It's attractive (people want what we've got that makes us so happy!)

So, how do you access and use your sense of humor when all you can see is the problem? Simply ask yourself the following question, "If I were going to laugh at this someday, exactly what would I be laughing about?" I assure you, the first answer you'll probably come up with will be something like, "Nothing! There is nothing to laugh about here!"

Do not, I repeat DO NOT allow that to be your final answer. Ask again in another way, "OK, what possibly COULD be funny about this?" If you still get "nothing" as an answer, try, "Yeah, but, if the funny thing were well concealed, where would I find it?"

I promise you, if you keep asking questions specifically designed to lead you to the humor of the situation, you will prevail! You'll find yourself laughing - in spite of the circumstances. You'll come up with creative ways to turn things around. You'll be infinitely more healthy. You'll have a lot more fun. And, with that "cat that swallowed the canary" look on your face, you'll make people wonder what mischief you’re up to!

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Tag line: Linda Larsen, CSP, helps individuals think strategically, communicate effectively, and celebrate success. She is an international keynote speaker, trial consultant and author of the book, True Power, and the best selling audio program, 12 Secrets to High Self-Esteem. She can be reached at www.lindalarsen.com or 941-927-4700.

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