“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it’s the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It’s probably the most important thing in a person.” ~ Audrey Hepburn
Laugh and Get Rich!
February 8th: Do you know what is significant about this day?
It is officially also known as “Laugh and Get Rich Day”!
If you are reading this on February 8th…LAUGH!!! Right now…let that laugh in you out!!
And, shoot — even if it’s not February 8th…LAUGH!!!
Ahhhh…doesn’t that feel AMAZING!!
Laugh and get rich! Okay, I’m not going to guarantee that by laughing you’ll become richer monetarily. I DO have a guarantee, though: Laugh and you WILL become richer.
Richer in your health
Richer in your relationships.
Richer in our well-being
…richer in your soul…
So, let’s all…
CELEBRATE!! (…and have a good time!)
Laugh and get rich!!!!
Guaranteed!
Perhaps you need some help to get those laughs coming (although I’m all for laughing for no reason at all, too!). Let me share a story with you.
Adventures in Travel
I recently spent several days in California (attending a conference and visiting some very amazing people). That’s not what I’m talking about today, though. I’m talking about my travels TO California.
I was flying form Milwaukee, WI to San Diego, CA…with a layover in Las Vegas, NV. The plane I was on was also the plane going on to San Diego (so I would not have to get off the plane in Las Vegas). When we landed in Las Vegas, every one of the other passengers exited the plane (seems as though all travelers EXCEPT me were on there way to Vegas, baby!). There was to be about a 45 minute layover before this plane would be leaving for San Diego. I chose to stay on the plane. So, it was just me and the stewardesses (and a guy restocking the kitchen area) on the plane.
NOTE: The next part may contain TOO MUCH INFORMATION (you’ve been warned!)
This stopping point also seemed like a good place to visit the airplane lavatory (because, well…too much coffee and water…). So, I wandered to the back of the plane to use the restroom.
I squeezed into the small room, locked the door, and began to unzip.
At that moment (mid-zip), one of the stewardesses got on the intercom and said, “To the gentleman who just went into the restroom.…HANG ON!!!!!”. (said with conviction!)
…let me just say…
FREAKY!!!!! (and…it’s a good thing I was in the restroom!!!)
She then continued to talk to me, over the intercom, while I used the restroom (the WHOLE time I was in there!).
Why? Just for fun!!! Just because she had never done that before. Just because…
How cool is that!!! (well…after you get over the freaky-ness of it all!) And the thing was, after that restroom “incident”, there was an instant connection between myself and both of the stewardesses. That moment created connection (…as weird as that “moment” sounds…). That moment created a space for friendship, however brief, to begin…
In case you are wondering…and I’m glad to share — the airline was Southwest Airlines…which, from my experience, their employees have a whole lot of fun at their work!!
So there you have it — your LAUGH for today!
Now…go out and laugh even more!!
Richness (beyond measure and in so many ways) awaits!
To those of you with inquiring minds, I know of this very special day (February 8th), from a calendar I received this year…that has something to celebrate every day of the year!
A couple of good ones coming up:
February 19th: Chocolate Mint Day! (yum!!)
March 18th: Awkward Moments Day (wow…who knew I could have just saved these moments all up for just one day each year!)
{ 76 comments… read them below or add one }
This is the first thing I read this morning (and yes, it made me laugh). What a great way to start my day. Now I am off to yoga. Should I keep on laughing during the class? It might be hard to keep some poses?
Thank you.
Ewa´s Last Fabulous Post ..Some Training Notes and My Infidelities
Ewa,
You know what…if you did laugh during yoga class…that would be laughter yoga!!! And I’ve done that before – very fun and therapeutic!! (although all that much yoga-like!!)
Happy yoga-ing!!
I had a layover in Las Vegas once and also opted to stay on the plane – they stewardesses said that most everyone else was getting back on, that they have slot machines right out of the gate.
Still.
Funny story, Lance!
Lynn´s Last Fabulous Post ..Parish- Manhattan and list on a napkin
Lynn,
While probably not everyone would agree, I think this was more fun than the slot machines!!!!
What on earth??? I cannot believe what I have read! I am curious. What did the stewardess talk to you about while you were in the ahem….restroom?
Happy Laughter Day to you!!
Evelyn
Evelyn Lim´s Last Fabulous Post ..Abundance Alchemy- Answers to Your Questions
Evelyn,
I KNOW….it was pretty weird!! (but in a very cool way!)
So, after that initial sentence up above, she said something like this: “I thought I’d try to embarrass you while you were in the restroom. If you want to get off the plane, you can certainly do that. I hope you’re having a good flight….” And she just kept on until I came out. And there she was at the other end of the plane, smiling at me!! Then I had a nice conversation with both of the stewardesses, and before I knew it…they were starting to board the other passengers.
Happy laughing!!!
Such a great way to wake up in the morning – laughing! I’m with Evelyn, I want to know what the flight attendant was talking to you about. lol Great blog post, Lance. Thank you!
Michelle,
I’m GLAD to provide a little humor today!!
And – see above – I replied to Evelyn’s comment about the “rest of the conversation”!!!
Great to have you here!!
Great little anecdote, Lance. Those little moments are really what life is all about. We all need to be reminded that life just isn’t that serious! If we are not laughing and flirting with life we are missing the point.
rob white´s Last Fabulous Post ..Reality Check- Where is There a NO Sitting Firmly in Your Mind
Hey Rob,
This was most definitely one of those moments!! And it was GREAT!! After that initial shock…what was so cool – it created an instant connection between me and both of the stewardesses…
Hey Lance,
Love the photo! You’re hilarious and each time I fly Southwest we’re laughing about something and nearly everyone joins in. Not a bad way to live, eh! Happy Tuesday!
Tess The Bold Life´s Last Fabulous Post ..A Burst of Strategies to Increase and Savor Love
Tess,
The picture is at least a couple of years old (and probably more!).
Yes, Southwest is just generally “fun”!!! In fact, the same stewardess also said something fun to everyone as we were landing in Las Vegas…and then reminded us that what’s said in Vegas stays in Vegas. Obviously since I don’t remember what was said…it DID stay in Vegas!!
Happy Happy!!
This is GREAT! Laugh and get rich! And you quoted my all-time favorite actress — the woman I have pictures of as my screen saver (currently) and on my refrigerator. Guess what she’s doing on that fridge shot? LAUGHING! Head tossed back, and fully enjoying a moment.
LOVE Southwest Airlines, too. I look to fly with them whenever I can. Life cannot have too much fun, and I’m learning, day-by-day, how to have more.
Thanks for this great, fun, LAUGH-WORTHY post, Lance!
Big hug & lots of laughs!
Megan
Megan “JoyGirl!” Bord´s Last Fabulous Post ..The Blessings of Each New Moment
Megan,
That’s awesome – Audrey Hepburn doing exactly what she says in this quote!!
While this “moment” was the most memorable Southwest moment from the trip, each leg of it (both there and back) had moments of fun provided by the airline staff!!! And that is just a great way to LIVE!!!
Hugs, tickles, and laughs…
Lance
Thank you for a wonderful laugh, Lance. I figured out that my favorite thing in life is laughing—-and it always has been. I think I got it from my parents who used to like to laugh with each other a lot. One of my favorite memories is of my dad telling my mom jokes after they went to bed (we had a small house) and hearing them laugh and laugh and laugh.
Jean,
I really believe that laughing is so therapeutic (on top of the great way it connects us with others, too). So, very awesome – that your favorite thing is laughing!!! I LOVE that!!
And how awesome – your parents, bringing joy and laughter into your household!!
…it’s great having you (and your laughter!) here today…
Lance,
OMG this is hilarious. Hats off to the stewardess for doing that! I would do something just like that!
You have wrtitten a funny post and have conveyed a marvelous truth at the same time. Lughter FREES the soul and is literally good for you! I cannot thank you enough for bringing this back in focus for me today.
I’m gonna be sure to laugh my self silly today!
March 18th. Awkward Moments Day. I am SO looking forward to THAT day! LOL
Keith´s Last Fabulous Post ..Leave The Harbor!
Keith,
Wasn’t she awesome!!! As strange as it was at first, it was just SO COOL!!!
Laughter is so, so good for our soul. So, whenever we can bring this more fully into who we are, we just connect more – both inwardly and outwardly.
Hope your day was filled with many silly moments and tons of laughter!
My youngest son and I had a paper airplane “war”…which was mostly laughter and a lot of ducking and dodging out of the way!!
The 18th of March…yep, I’m right there with you!!!
Ha ha…Lance I enjoyed your plane incident story. That’s so cool. I think it’s an example of how we can take these really ordinary moments and add some humor to them to make them a little more extraordinary. Thank you for your post today…it’s really a very important reminder for all of us and me especially. I flew with Southwest last year for the first time and was very impressed. It’s amazing how fun is such a part of their corporate culture. And it’s a reason (along with great prices) that I’ll fly them again.
Tim´s Last Fabulous Post ..RAOKA- The End is the Beginning
Tim,
That’s it!! Ordinary moments can become extraordinary…with just a little tweak (like some bathroom humor!)!
F-U-N is definitely a part of the Southwest culture!! They have just within the last couple of years started flying out of Milwaukee. Before that, we had to fly out of Chicago if we wanted to fly Southwest. So much more convenient now…
Hi Lance
LOL
Funny story and a little freaky indeed
Had no idea today had such a designation – how cool!
Evita´s Last Fabulous Post ..An Encounter with the Spirit of the Earth
Hey Evita,
Freaky…and then fun!!! (seriously, that’s exactly how it went for me…from freaky right on over to fun). And the very cool thing was how I bonded with the stewardesses after returning from said restroom. Really, it was so great to form the connection…
It’s this calendar I received in the mail…and almost just threw it away. And I am loving it!! There’s something every day of the year! And if nothing else, it’s just fun and random stuff I “bug” my family with!!! (they are used to it by now!!)
To the gentleman who just went into the restroom…
Laughing, laughing, laughing.
Yes, yes, yes. It’s really all about enjoying the journey and rejoicing in each moment. So much fun awaits all the time. Muchly connected we are, all of us.
And that picture of your kids?? PRICELESS. Jakob is a Little Lance, I can tell. Cute, cute, cute, cute, cute.
xoxo
Jannie Funster´s Last Fabulous Post ..February 8th Is Very Special Because…
Jannie,
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!!!!!
And WE are connected…you and me!! Yep! I just laughed….(you knew that, though!!)
Can you imagine Jakob in a pink wig????? (that’s one that will take some work!!!)
xxooxxo
Too funny Lance!!! Thanks for the giggle…
And I am looking forward to chocolate mint date!
Peggy Nolan´s Last Fabulous Post ..Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut
Hey Peggy,
GLAD to provide a giggle!!!
Mmmmm….chocolate mint (now that sure sounds like a day worth celebrating!!)
Hi Lance. I am glad that I stopped by your site today. Thank you for the laugh! Too often, we take ourselves to seriously… especially on an airplane. I think that this is why Southwest Airlines has made it a part of their mission to change that paradigm. They truly have see that laughter on the airplane can reduce the overall sense of anxiety. They do this by making fun of anxiety prone situations. With that said, I congratulate you for being able to perform your duties in the bathroom after that comment! LOL
Ajen,
Southwest Airline does a wonderful job of making people feel at ease. And, having fun at it…what a great side benefit for EVERYONE!!
Thanks!! (on the bathroom *ahem* duties!!) Ha!!
Right away I could tell those are your kiddos….they are mini YOU’s! I love SW airlines, they do have more fun than any. But I’m dying to know too, what she was talking to you about!
Audra Krell´s Last Fabulous Post ..Nobody Kicks our Can
Audra,
YIKES!!! (scary…mini-Lance’s!!)
And – I answer your question up above: see my reply to Evelyn (the 3rd comment). It was definitely weird (although the conversation really was pretty normal).
Southwest rocks!!
Laughter is so essential! And I definitely laughed reading this story! Thank you for that. And the photo of your children makes me smile!
meleah rebeccah´s Last Fabulous Post ..A High School Midterm Exam
Hey Meleah,
Yes, laughter is so, so good!!
Glad I could provide a bit for you. And…I’m also very happy that this whole *incident* happened, because it really brought a whole lot of laughter for me!!
I *love* that picture of our kids, too!! (thank YOU!!!)
LOVE!!! Laughter is good for the soul & our health too!!! What a fun experience.. I guess!
I think all of us feel better after a good belly laugh & it makes the “bad stuff” in our mind go away for a bit!
As for that awkward day.. I think I have some part of one every day!
Jody – Fit at 53´s Last Fabulous Post ..Counting Calories or Not Weight Loss Works in Many Ways
Jody,
Ha!!! (yes…on the “I guess” part)!!! At first it was just plain weird…but then it really became funny!!!
Awkward day EVERY day!! (hey, I’m right there with you!!!)
Lance… you would have been laughing at me if you had been in the men’s bathroom of the Qantas lounge in LAX. I was homeward bound to Australia from the States and had just done the red eye from Atlanta when I inadvertently pushed into the men’s room instead of the ladies. Worse still I didn’t wake up until I got to the cubicle and noticed a strange row of people standing along the back wall all hurriedly zipping up. OMG. I can tell you… I ran out of there red faced in double quick time!
Laughter definitely is the best medicine. In fact… it is the ONLY medicine when things go awry in the funniest ways!
Jean Burman´s Last Fabulous Post ..Rainy Day Lovers
Jean,
Hahahahahahahaha!!!! Oh….I *love* that you shared this story!!
Jean, you are awesome!!! Today…you are making me laugh!! Thank you (many times over!)!!!
Let’s keep laughing…free medicine for ALL of us!!!
Laughter is the best thing that you can do for yourself. When my youngest daughter was the only one left in the nest, in the evening would just laugh. Sometimes there was nothing to laugh about and other times we would find something to laugh about. I say laugh until your sides hurt, it is so much fun. Lance thanks for the reminder and now I shall go laugh out loud.
Debbie
Debbie,
How very cool…you and your youngest daughter!! What a beautiful way to live!!
And that’s exactly it – sometimes there isn’t anything to laugh about…laugh anyway…
Happy day filled with much laughter!
By the way thanks for sharing the great story. Good for Southwest Airlines. See aren’t people just great when you know how to just have fun.
Debbie again
Hey Debbie!!
YES!! Having fun with life…so, so good!!
Oh darn it… I should have left this one for Awkward Moment’s Day. Just realised. Oh well. I’m sure there’s plenty more I can think of! (((chuckles)))
Jean Burman´s Last Fabulous Post ..Rainy Day Lovers
Hey Jean,
You CONTINUE to make me laugh!!!
Yes, that would definitely qualify for Awkward Moment’s Day!! Ha!!!!
My oh my…that is hilarious!!! Hahahahahahaha!!!
Kimberley´s Last Fabulous Post ..Super Bowl Sunday!!!
Kimberly,
Hahahaha!!
Yes…this was very hilarious!!
Hi Lance,
So funny! I have a smile stretched across my face right now. Laughter is so good for us, emotionally and psyically! I hope I have a hundred laughs lines when I’m older:) Thanks Lance!
Dandy´s Last Fabulous Post ..Self-gratitude
Dandy,
Glad to provide a smile to YOU!!!!
Laughter reaches to our souls. And wow…how good that is!
Here’s to laughter lines that tell the story of a life filled with much joy and love!!!
Like Ewa, I must start reading you in the morning and not at night — oh how I wish I had read this this morning. That said, I can reflect on day which was not so stellar, and life some, even if on the inside, at some of the lighter moments of a heavy day. Thank you.
Emergefit´s Last Fabulous Post ..Conversations Over Crunches…
Roy,
Starting our day with laughter….what a great way to begin any day!! And it really just sets the stage for what that day will be like….
Days that are challenging….not easy by any means. And maybe that’s the perfect place for laughter. My past several days have been challenging. And there was a moment in all of that which was very much laughter filled. How therapeutic that was…
Sending laughter YOUR way, my friend….
Lance, This is hilarious. I love Southwest Airlines for this reason. One of my friends taught me just to practice laughing each day for no reason at all. Well, I don’t do it everyday, but it sure is fun when I do. Thanks for instigating this laugh fest!
Sandra – Always Well Within´s Last Fabulous Post ..What Is True Happiness
Sandra,
Southwest just makes flying so much F-U-N!!!
And this is just one example of that…one which I’m so glad happened!! (strange though it was)
Laughing for no reason at all – that sounds very much like laughter yoga!! Something I’ve only done a couple of times…something that was so, so good, though. I’m recalling now how we had a room of people laughing out of control…and nothing was inherently funny! Life is beautiful!!!
Happy laughing!!!
Hi Lance — that’s definitely a fun story — I imagine she could tell just from being with you that you were someone willing to have fun, even if it’s a little bit at his own expense! But I am against those airplane restroom cameras being used to crack jokes — Homeland Security regulations clearly require them to be used only for security purposes. Just kidding about the cameras — I don’t think they exist, although you never can be too sure these days!
Chris,
What!!! They videotaped the WHOLE thing!!! Yikes!!! (ha!!!)
Love the humor you’ve brought here today!
sending LIGHT to your richness
Thank you so much, Rachel!!
Much love to you…
Lance, you just made me laugh!
– although I’m a little late to the official “Laugh and Get Rich Day” I loved reading this. – glad you shared the story from the airplane – truly unique and hilarious 
Hope laughter continues to play throughout the day and ever after
– and I’m excited for “chocolate mint day”. Thanks for telling me about it. I know exactly how to celebrate that one
Aileen´s Last Fabulous Post ..7 Fabulous Kaizen Technologies To Help Streamline Your Life
Aileen,
You know what…I like to think that any day can be “Laugh and Get Rich Day”!!! So, unofficially, I’m choosing to laugh today, too!!
And – I love that this mad you laugh, as well!
Now…about that “chocolate mint” day…that’s a hard one to pass up, isn’t it!
That’s too funny Lance,
I would have loved to have seen the look on your face when her voice first came on over the intercom.
It also goes to show how laughter can bring people together and form a bond with lasting results.
P.S. I wish you all of life’s best on your new endeavor. I know you’ll ROCK!
Barbara Swafford´s Last Fabulous Post ..With The Click Of A Button
Barbara,
It was so weird…hearing someone talk to me in the restroom! And the start of it…well…it just really was so unexpected!!
And thank you so, so much for your beautiful support…you really gave me a running start at all of this, and I’m deeply grateful for that, and for your continuing friendship…
You have a very good sense of humor. I know I’m 3 days late but who cares. I can laugh any day of the year, can’t I?
Anne Sales | Coupon Codes´s Last Fabulous Post ..GotoMeeting Promo Code
Anne,
YES!! Yes, you CAN laugh any day of the year!!! And…I’m right there with you!!
Hahahaha Hohohoho!!! (ahhh…that felt GREAT!!)
Though I did not get to see this on the 8th, I can only but imagine, a day set aside for laughing, even writing this reply is making me to laugh…I am hoping if I develop a career out of laughing I would really be rich!
Iroko@Bloggers Blog´s Last Fabulous Post ..I am In Need
Iroko,
And now…I’m laughing too!! Isn’t that just so cool…how infectious laughter is!!
And – very cool – may you continue down a path that just leads to even more laughter and joy in your life…
Even reading your reply is erupting another round of laughter and now I still, I am done laughing…hohoho…hahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!
Awesome story, Lance…gotta have a laugh!!
Since 8 Feb was Dave’s birthday, we enjoyed and had some laughs too
Naomi Estment´s Last Fabulous Post ..A Novel Valentine
Naomi,
Well…a couple of days late…Happy Birthday to Dave!! Woohoo!!
Here’s to laughing EVERY day!!
Hi Lance! I never knew there was a Laugh and Get Rich Day. Is it for real? It sounds like an awesome idea. Any incentive for laughing I’m in. Every time I fly Southwestern I also notice their humor. They have a special way of saying goodbye over the intercom with a lot of humor. It’s a more relaxed airline.
Thanks for sharing this story. You made me laugh even though it’s no lover Laugh and Get Rich Day.
Loving blessings!
Andrea DeBell – britetalk´s Last Fabulous Post ..Tips for an Amazing Valentine’s Day… or How to Love Everyday
Andrea,
Hi!!!
It IS for real!! Well…at least according to the calendar that I have. And…there’s something for every day of the year!
And I’m in too – for any reason to laugh!! See, just think if we got together – what FUN that would be!!!
Happy Monday to you, sweet friend!
Love always,
Lance
Southwest rocks! They’re always a lot of fun to fly with, and they’re great with babies and talkative kids, too. Never had as much fun as it sounds like you did, but still.
And Awkward Moments Day! I’m putting that one on the calendar.
Delena
Delena Silverfox@Coupon Codes´s Last Fabulous Post ..GotoMeeting Promo Code
Delena,
You said it!! –> Southwest ROCKS!!
And – I’m really glad that stewardess decided to have some fun with me while I was in the restroom!! (wait…does that just sound wrong?!?!?)
I’m there with you on Awkward Moments Day!!
When we laugh we are rich beyond measure Lance, I agree 100%- with a positive attitude to life and a love of every day. Laughter is a medicine best prescribed to keep ill-ness away before it ever arrives.
John Sherry´s Last Fabulous Post ..Find Your Voice
John,
Laughter most certainly brings richness that is beyond what we can measure. And it is something that touches my soul deeply…
So good having you here today.
I like the richer in your soul twist, and that’s a timeless truth.
J.D. Meier´s Last Fabulous Post ..What 25 Movies Teach Us About Love
JD,
…richer in your soul…there’s not a better place for riches…
Ha ha ha! Thanks for the laugh today, Lance. I’m smiling! And I had just finished telling my coach that sometimes I get too serious during the day. Love it! And those three angels up top are making me smile even bigger.
Michelle @ Following Your Joy´s Last Fabulous Post ..Taking Time to Smell the Roses
Michelle,
…you add richness to my life…
And I’m smiling right now…
Here’s to laughing lots, loving life, and shining!!
For me? Laugh and be happy!
Andrew Walker´s Last Fabulous Post ..My Wedding Favors Coupon Code