We’re five days into June and I’m still trying to catch up after last week’s laptop melt down. Should we talk about what happens to us when our electronics die on us?
Before that event, I was writing a post about grief and joy. When I’m helping people work through the death of a loved one, they are often surprised when I warn them that there will be times when we will laugh together. In the depths of their pain, they don’t believe it to be possible. But it is, and it does happen.
Just as we have to allow ourselves to feel the pain of loss, so we also have to be willing to feel the lightness of laughter when it comes. Staying sad won’t bring anyone back into your life. But as we take those steps to recovery, smiling, laughing, enjoying life once again are natural outcomes. And let’s be honest, isn’t that why we’re all here? To go beyond the loss?
I thought about this topic the other night when some laughter rang out during our support group. No one gasped, or looked guilty, or stopped the laughter. We had been tackling some heavy subjects, and it felt good to step back, take a deep breath and crack a joke.
Even if you can’t reach high enough to embrace joy and laughter, you can try for happiness, or calm, or just a quiet moment. Little changes can add up to big relief.
The other reason why I thought about the topic is the arrival of June’s newsletter from the Action For Happiness group in England. They included a graphic (click here to download) with some wonderful ideas for bringing joy into your life and the lives of others during June. I thought I would share it with you. If you are up to it, find something that you can share with everyone in your world.
Smile. Hug someone you love. Lift your face up to the sun. Find happiness again.
Many blessings and lots of cyber hugs!
Chris
