Comments on: The Practice of Saying Ha Ha!

By: Lance

Lance — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:26:44 +0000

@Janice – Snortlaugh…I love it!! And having others around who can really get to laughing, sure can make it easier to laugh ourselves! And I’d say a smile is a pretty sweet laugh anyway…and with your eyes… how cool!!

@Laurie – Laughter can be very healing. An author I met, David Naster, write specifically on this topic – and just how healing laughter is. I love your story and how you’ve chosen to focus on the good and fun in your Mom’s life…

By: Laurie

Laurie — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 13:17:33 +0000

My mom died in 98 after a difficult battle with cancer. It was about 4 in the morning when she exhaled for the last time, my family all around to be with her as she went from our arms to His. Later that day, my family all went to a restaurant for dinner. We left a chair open with a plate and a margarita there where Mom would have sat and we laughed and laughed as we remembered all the wonderful times we had and the love and joy she brought us. It was a healing thing. I’ll never forget it.

By: janice

janice — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:01:38 +0000

Hi Katie and Lance,
It’s so easy to take laughter for granted, but it really does repay conscious focus and attention. I’m not one of life’s great laugh-out-loud-ers but I do smile with my eyes a lot. My husband and I also deliberately choose to watch films and TV series with the kids that make us laugh out loud, snortlaugh and giggle. I’m blessed in having a husband and two kids who know how to deliberately make me laugh to encourage me to lighten up.
janice´s Last Fabulous Post ..A Patchwork Post: Writing Tips, Christmas Tips and Susan Boyle…

By: Lance

Lance — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:59:20 +0000

@Tami – Hi Tami. Laughter sure is great medicine! And for you, having faced something terrible and survived, I’m sure that laughter is probably even more meaningful…

@Hermann – Hey Hermann. You are always welcome here! (and you ARE required to laugh!!). I did hear from Jannie, and I think we’re squared away… Oh, and how is Shermann doing these days??

@Jenn Z – Hi Jenn. What we focus on expands…and laughter is always a good one to expand even more! Especially when we feel ourselves getting a bit too tense or stressed – that a good reminder right there that some good old-fashioned laughter is just what is needed! So, Jenn, let’s laugh together!! Doesn’t that feel great!!!

@Stacey Shipman – Yoga? See…I’m starting laugh right now. As you know, I’ve done a pretty good job of avoiding that (as much as I do believe it can be so beneficial). And here we are again, with yoga talk. I really can’t get away from it. A sign?? Ha! Probably… And one that YOU started many, many months ago!!! It’s all good, though…who knows…one of these days…

@Wilma – Hi Wilma. Yes, the perspective laughter can give us! It sure can!! It makes me realize a lot of things just aren’t as “important” as I make them out to be. And that lighter feeling is so good, isn’t it! And this is the Katie I worked with to get involved in the laughter flash we did. It was Kim (the other “K” girl) who I laughed with. Katie got us organized (from afar). Thanks so much Wilma!

@Angelia – Hi Angelia. Yes, we would all be major losers…and that would really make us all major WINNERS!! Woohoo!!

@Oscar – Laughter moments are pretty awesome aren’t they!

By: Oscar

Oscar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:18:40 +0000

I loved this post, and I love these ha-ha moments
Oscar´s Last Fabulous Post ..How to Prioritize Tasks in Your Life

By: Angelia Sims

Angelia Sims — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:58:32 +0000

Okay, how about a three-way game of haha? Lance, Katie , and me. Whoever bursts into uncontrollable laughter frist loses!
I have a feeling we’d be MAJOR losers! How fun! Great post. I feel great balls of joy bouncing up and down inside just from reading it.
Angelia Sims´s Last Fabulous Post ..Confession Wednesday!

By: Wilma Ham

Wilma Ham — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:01:25 +0000

Hi Lance and Katie.
Funny how laughter can put things into perspective and it seems to be really healing too.
I remember when working closely with other people how laughing could release tension and literally made us lighter and made us feel connected and ready to go again. Complaining and grumping together never did that and kept us feeling down.
Is this the Katie you did your laughing video with when you were wearing that hat?
Must be.
Wishing us all lots of light and laughter, love Wilma
Wilma Ham´s Last Fabulous Post ..Intimacy and sponsorship happen through listening; how well do we listen?

By: Stacey Shipman

Stacey Shipman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:41:01 +0000

A yoga practitioner and teacher myself, I have heard about but not yet tried laughter yoga. I’m not sure it’s in my local area. But how exciting that it had such an affect on you and now you have made it your life’s work. Best of luck in Chicago and wish I could participate…I will make sure I laugh out loud that day to celebrate with you from afar! Thank you for sharing your story, too, great inspiration to bring more laughter into our lives. We could all use a little more!

By: Jenn Z

Jenn Z — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:12:23 +0000

Lance and Katie, great post!
this was truly a wonderful topic for me as I’ve been really focusing on upping my laughter scale lately! It’s amazing how the more I’m conscious of making it a point to laugh, I am bubbling over a little bit more,…edging forward into that delightful open space!
Katie, I love that you shared it is a process. I recognized lately how easy it is to tense up, become hidden, when circumstances call, but how loosening up is essential to get back to! It’s organic – our truest nature! I’m working on it and enjoyed the humming laughter you shared in your experience! I think I’m at this stage. Also, I felt that the handshake thing reminds me of how I feel when I’m in the company of lighthearted jolly people. Here, I forget my insecurities, woes and all of a sudden nothing matters anymore! Thanks so much for encouraging laughter to be an essential part of our every-day living! Namaste! ~Jenn
Jenn Z´s Last Fabulous Post ..Love in a Time of Global (Uncertainty)~Awakening:

By: Hermann Shinglemeister

Hermann Shinglemeister — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:23:27 +0000

Can I come to the dinner too with you guys??? And for laughing???

And please be on the look-out for an e-mail from Jannie from her gmail aaccount, she’s had a hard-drive problem and needs you to re-send you interview question.

Hermann Shinglemeister, your old buddy (and former college roomate of Shermann Hinglemeister)
Hermann Shinglemeister´s Last Fabulous Post ..10 Things I Could Do (But Probably Won’t) Tomorrow

By: Tami Boehmer

Tami Boehmer — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:37:44 +0000

Laughter is the best medicine! I try to watch something funny or laugh with my family every day. I’m a cancer survivor, so I consider it therapy.

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:45:45 +0000

@Jannie – We are going to have fun!! I wonder if they’ll let me drive the bus???? Your spirit, Jannie, most floats around here all the time! How you do that, I’m not sure – it’s a really good thing though! Okay…I’ll shout “Jannie” to the world!!! Or, at least to Chicago!

@Jodi – Hi Jodi. And to that point of “Fxxx ‘em if they can’t take a joke!” – it’s a great one. And it is, because it reminds us that our own humor and joy doesn’t have to be dependent upon what others think – that can be a real hang up sometimes. So, this is way awesome Jodi! Here’s to joy, no matter what everyone else thinks!

@Keith – Hi Keith. Laughter is like taking a layer of security off, and putting one on at the same time. Not sure if that makes sense, but what I’m thinking is that laughter can sometimes “expose” us and our emotions – taking a layer of security off in opening up and doing that. At the same time, it can also provide a level of security in that it gives us a connection more with our true selves, and that can be very calming especially in moments where calm is fleeting.

@Lynn – A laughter club sounds like a pretty awesome club to belong to, doesn’t it!

@Laura Hegfield – Hi Laura. Levitating with laughter…how completely fitting! And yes, check out Katie’s site – it’s filled with so much goodness and joy! Laura, thank YOU!!

@Shermann – Shermann! What a surprise seeing you here – shouldn’t you be working today?? Well, thanks so much for stopping by to let me know about your friend Jannie. Did you know, she’s a friend of mine too! Pretty cool, huh!! Maybe we can all get together sometime, go out for a night on the town – and laugh the whole time! Sounds fun, doesn’t it!! Hey, say “hi” to Jannie from me!

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:28:25 +0000

@Evita – Hi Evita. Yes, laughter is just simply “good” for us…in so many ways. Physically and emotionally – laughter is like s workout for both the body and the mind!

@Karl – Having support when we venture into the unknown is a pretty great thing to have. That’s one of the wonderful benefits of having a spouse who understands you – their support is real and genuine. And I’m looking forward to Saturday – loads of fun!!

@J.D. Meier – Laughter yoga is a pretty new concept to me as well. Thinking about it though, what a great combo – laughter and yoga – two really good things coming together to bring about all sorts of feelings of “good”!

@FatFighterTV – Laughing just feels good, doesn’t it Sahar!! I have not tried laughter yoga either, although am thinking about it…

@TB–Milwaukee – Kids have a way of making laughter seem effortless. As adults, if we can get back to that – to where it feels so natural and carefree – how great would that be!

@Tess – Hi Tess. Yes, laughter can be so healing. And to think, you stirred things up because you laughed too much! And why does laughter seem “taboo” in certain situations – situations that as a kid would be very much laughter filled… Makes you wonder doesn’t it…

@Audra – Hi Audra. So, what are we feeding our brains? Hmm… If we could be more comfortable doing what feels natural – and really lets laughter and goodness permeate our souls – just think of how different our world would be. Katie is taking us there…helping everyone she touches to get more in touch with that inner child…and bring a little more peace and well-being to our world…

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:14:33 +0000

@John – See you Saturday, my friend!!

@Zeenat – Hi Zeenat. The laughter club meetings sound fantastic! What a great way to get yourself into a “good spot”. I wish you the best (and biggest belly laughs) as you go forth and consider starting this up again!

@Positively Present – Laughter rocks!!!

@Trish – Ah, great point Trish. Sometimes laughter can be just the thing to pull us out of some “negative” situation we’ve gotten into (real or imagined). And that is really one of the very therapeutic benefits. Keep on takin’ that drug!!!! I will too…

@Jeanne – Thanks much Jeanne!

@Evelyn – You are too kind Evelyn! And I completely agree, Katie is one super awesome “lady”! She brings out the best in others, and that’s because she gets them to connect with that deeper need we all have to laugh and just “feel good”. It’s great having you back, Evelyn…I’m sure your time away was very reflective and good for you.

@Joanna – Saturday WILL be a blast, I just know it!! Thanks much Joanna!

By: Lance

Lance — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:14:13 +0000

Katie,
Ah, the treat is having YOU here! You shine giggles and laughs in this very real and unique way. The message you share is one that is so, so uplifting and moving. What I really love about this post is how you share a part of your journey, and that it wasn’t always like it is today. I think there’s much hope in that message – hope and belief that no matter where we are today, we CAN choose to live the life we desire. Whatever that is for each of us, and wherever the journey takes us – sometimes we have to put ourselves “out there” in those things that really matter.

And look where it’s taken you…to where you are today! Isn’t that awesome!! Not only that, but look at how this connects so much to your soul, and because of that – your passion for laughter is contagious! It is!! And that’s you, touching others (me) through your heart! Wow!!

Katie, you are on to something pretty amazing here – and are sharing that with the world in some awesomely cool ways! It’s an honor to have you here, and to call you friend…