Like many, it seems I’ve had many deep challenges in life, but there was one period that was particularly challenging–my dear sister and best friend passed away unexpectedly, I had lost my house, lost my passion for the work I once loved, discovered some people I trusted had been doing unconscionable things behind my back, my family of origin almost completely dissolved, I became very ill and was partially paralyzed for a period of time…the list goes on…and on. During this time I found almost everything difficult to do, if not impossible, and yet there was nobody to help. (Having nobody to help and yet not being able to care for oneself is beyond scary and enters the terrifying column of life.)
I had also been healed in very profound ways in my life, and had experienced many wonderful things, but I had not one single clue how to begin to heal or to pick up the pieces at this point. Hurricane force winds had swept away my old life and almost everything that was familiar and safe, and left what looked like mere shards of an impossible puzzle. There would be no going back…I had to begin again.
During this time I began to see that one thing seemed to help–if something made me laugh even a little, I felt just a tiny bit healed each time. I could feel it in my solar plexus. It was as though just a sliver of light would enter the very dark, cavernous place within me…just for a moment. Thus began my search for things, ANYTHING, that made me laugh; and with each little bit of laughter I became lighter. (It is during this time that I created the Princess Sassy Pants character and began sharing her.)
For some “Laughter makes the soul sparkle,” might seem a cute or trite little idea, but for me, it was my way out of a dark period I would have never thought one could walk through and live to tell about.
Is there something that helped you through a dark time in your life? Is laughter one them? Share it in the comments…your story might help someone else going through the same thing. (You don’t have to sign up to leave a comment.)
And don’t forget to go here to find out more about the Princess’s new inspirational gift book–Princess Sassy Pants & Co.’s Tangled Twinkle.
[…] Source: Laughter Makes the Soul Sparkle […]
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Just when you thing things can’t get worst…..someone make you laugh, maybe over nothing….this is when things turn around, and gives you that much needed lift….new we stoop laughing….truly the best medicine ever!!!
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The Marx Brothers movies, Doris Day movies, Mr. Mom, Tootsie, golden oldies yet they really do help! God Bless Us Everyone : ) xoxoxo
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Thank you for sharing your story. Indeed, many such stories hide behind smiling faces. I watched rerun after rerun of Seinfeld each day, hopping from channel to channel, sometimes viewing the same episode twice in a day. Humor and laughter are gifts that help us survive. Thanks for sharing your gifts with the world! You make a difference!
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When I’ve been at my lowest, it’s always been a cat that has stuck by me and purred me through it. Animals always have unconditional love and ask for little in return.
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They are so wonderful, aren’t they? I couldn’t love the Pup more! Thank you!
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I agree about laughter being heart balm and tonic for the soul and spirit. If we can just find one little thing to laugh inside us…it helps to right the wrong.. to lighten the heavy.. to happy the sad and to even tht toppled over! Thanks for the reminders! For indeed “we are all just walking each other home.” ♡
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You are so right on! Thank you! xo
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Thank you for sharing your story and for sharing Princess Sassy Pants with the world, You and she are definitely a bright light of the soul!
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Thank you Siobhan! And the Pup thanks you too! Well, he would but he’s snoozin’ right now (he has to get in his 16 hour nap after all). 😉
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I was in a dark period of my life after breast cancer surgery. I needed something to occupy my mind so I started a chapter of the Red Hat Society by putting a notice in the local paper. Meeting all the lovely ladies, planning our luncheon outings, learning about them so I could pick a regal name for them kept my mind busy. The joy & laughter that we shared was just what my soul & mind needed.
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How wonderful Linda! What a testament you are to fact that we can take something that can seem pretty crappy and still not only find good in it but help others in the process! And I love the idea of assigning regal names to the members of the RHS! xo
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Wow. Do you know how incredibly healing you are for so many of us…..by sharing your story? Thank you. For ALL of us who have, or who are currently, navigating life’s journey feeling like we are on a tight rope and could fall at any second—-I thank you, Lil Miss Sassy Pants. We all thank you. Stay real, promise??!!!!!
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Thank you. Sometimes I wish I couldn’t say that there’s little I haven’t experienced and thus can relate to (wink) but so it is. No matter the challenges, it’s possible to come to a place of genuine gratitude. Sometimes that takes some time and sometimes the feeling is almost immediate but I know it’s possible no matter how difficult things seem to get sometimes. And I know that amazing things can sprout from what looks like complete wreckage. I post about this very thing so often because I know I can’t hear it said in enough ways and if I can’t, then there must be others as well.
If you’re passing through a period that’s particularly challenging it’s important to be gentle with yourself–sometimes we just need to curl up for a while and heal. Also try to see things in tiny steps as you would if you were healing from a traumatic physical injury. And finally, look at the tiniest progress you see and magnify that! Even if it’s just that you made it out of bed to get another cookie! (I can’t help but throw a little humor in there.)
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