I Love to Laugh
April 4th, 2007
Sasha, Emma, and Sadie photoshopped by the fiansor to make me laugh.
I think everyone reading along with Finding Water is hoping Julia Cameron will come out her depression soon! I've been able to take what's helpful and leave the rest, but it is a bit of a bummer to follow her dark struggles at times. I tend to be susceptible to the energy of people around me, but I've been working on maintaining better boundaries, so mostly it has been fine. I've noted that she does a lot of the same things I do when I feel low, like searching for the child-like joy (her exercise with children's books) and laughter (the divining rod about watching funny movies) and I've enjoyed those things. I do hope Cameron comes out of this funk before the book ends, but if not, well, then I'm just very glad I'm not in that place and I'll continue to take what's helpful in the book and leave the rest behind. Actually, that's been a helpful attitude for me to take towards most things. Some of the things that have been helpful thus far have been the mp's , noticing the things about where I live that I love just when I was starting to get sick of it, reminding me of what I have accomplished, more ways to be grateful, and reminders of ways to perk myself up with laughter and child's play.
It's super gray and chilly here in New England. Kind of depressing weather. I found myself in a fog yesterday for most of the day, but I felt much brighter today despite the grayness outside. The apartment is clean, I've got clean laundry, we have a gorgeous new saltwater tank in the house (a little 14 gallon biodome with a a little world inside it...so relaxing to watch!), and I've been loving life. The weekend with the fiansor was just awesome. Sunday we had a day with no plans and we turned it into a rediculously fun day with loads of adventures, including open houses, lots of laughter, and the purchase of previously mentioned aquarium.
I love to laugh. Love it. And I laugh loudly. For such a little person (I'm about 5 feet and a half inch), I've been known to surprise people with the power of my laugh. Laughter is good for your body. I feel it and know it in my bones. I think that's why the fiansor is such a great partner for me. He has an amazingly quick wit, a goofy sense of humor and the great ability to make people laugh. After meeting me for the first time, one of the fiansor's good friends said, "Dude, she's perfect for you. She thinks everything you say is funny!" And I guess that's true. He cracks me up all the time and in turn the fiansor loves to make me laugh. It brightens his day. My family has noticed this too. He makes them all laugh of course, but they've noticed how good he is for me, how I can tend towards melancholy and he helps me to find the funny no matter where we are. I have that goofy sense of humor in me, sometimes it just needs some encouraging to come out of its shell.
I want to encourage you to laugh too. I think it's perfectly fine to laugh when no one else is there to hear. The cats make me laugh quite a bit and the funny, teeny, green crab with his hairy arms that lives in our tank has made me laugh and laugh every time I see him. I love good stand up comedy. With Comcast's On Demand, I sometimes find comics I've never heard of and then there are the ones I know already that I love to hear, such as Sarah Silverman, C.K. Lewis, Chris Rock, Margaret Cho, Dane Cook, Paula Poundstone, George Carlin, Lewis Black, Dave Chapelle, Carlos Mencia, Ellen DeGeneres, Jon Stewart, Steven Colbert, Robin Williams, and many others...For links to lots of comedians go here. You can probably find links to lots of YouTube clips of them there if you want. If you have a dvr, it's great to record some shows you like. It cuts down on pointless t.v. watching and allows you to fast forward through commercials (just awesome!) I don't tape all of these, but they're all great shows that make me laugh: Ugly Betty, 30 Rock, The Office, Reno 911, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, Mind of Mencia. I'm especially adoring 30 Rock and Ugly Betty at the moment. Heh, I just remembered that song from Mary Poppins, "I love to laugh." Teehee!
There's also a chapter in The Red Book about how vital laughter is to the soul and how important it is to see that the Universe has a sense of humor. Yes, there can even be humor in the Divine.
I was feeling a bit bummed about the artist's studio space yesterday. This new space could potentially be wonderful. Great space, lovely light, great location. However, it's not finished and there are a lot of ifs hanging in the air. I don't know if it will come together and it's out of my hands. So, again, I need to let go of expectations and know that whatever happens, it will be fine and I'll end up in the right place for me.
In the meantime, I need to re-focus on my web-site design and that commission that I'm working on. Back to work! I'm feeling inspired by lots of things, including encaustic painting, which I'm itching to try. My creativity has been tuned to website design and designing our save the dates (which I finished last night and need to be sent to the printer to make magnets. they're so cute!), but I'm itching to get my hands dirty with paint and glue. So much I want to do! It's a great feeling though.
14 Responses
You make me smile too Leah! And laugh too. I agree its very good to laugh.
I feel that the 4 weeks or so of Finding Water + the Soul Collage weekend I’ve just done had one big message for me – I need to be able to sense the energy of others without being unknowingly influenced by it – I can put up a boundary but as a distance healer I actually need to let energies through too… I’m glad you have ways of shedding the negativity that comes your way and just taking the good.
Posted by: Caroline | Apr 4, 2007 at 3:58 am |
Leah,
I do laugh, but I am more of a smile girl. I smile alot. Sometimes it is a deep soul smile. Watching…really observing my children make me smile all the time.
Sometimes I like comedy, but many times I find it in poor taste, I find alot of anger behind comedy. Sean often says I take things too seriously, but I am just very sensitive, not only to my own feelings, but those of others. I am going to pay attention though to see what gives me the belly laughs (besides tickling!)
and I will have some postcards to you soon!
I will be in Watertown Easter morning for a Big egg hunt on my sister in laws lawn.
What will you be doing?
and sometime please post pictures of your aquarium. I would love to see it (so would Maggie!)
XO,
Melba
Posted by: Melba | Apr 4, 2007 at 9:23 am |
Leah, the pics of your cats are HILARIOUS!!!!
I also have a very big laugh for such a small person… i wonder if there is a connection? lol
Posted by: Jana | Apr 4, 2007 at 9:43 am |
I LOVE your fiansor’s photo-shop of your kitties – what a crack-up. Thanks for the smile today, Leah – wishing you many more smiles and belly-laughs this spring!
Keeping my fingers crossed for you to find the studio space that’s just right for you. xo
Posted by: tinker | Apr 4, 2007 at 3:06 pm |
My son makes me laugh. And, when he sees that I’m laughing he starts laughing too and the contangion goes back and forth until both our cheeks hurt.
I completely understand what you mean about letting in the energies of other people. I’m sensitive in that way too. One thing that’s really helped me is to learn how to stay centered and breathe in a way that keeps me mindful and present in the moment. I also look forward to jumping on line to read your blog and the blogs of other artists who inspire me. I am greatful that we have the opportunity to share ourselves with one another in an honest and raw way.
In my Art. Culture and Politics lecture yesterday the professor said that “art makes us recognize our own humanity.” I think he’s correct. One of the things I love about artists is that they can feel deeply human emotions and have the ability to make those emotions and ideas into concrete manifestations that can be shared and appreciated. I appreciate your artistic journey and I appreciate that you share it with all of us. Life is blessed and beautiful!
Posted by: Literary bohemian | Apr 4, 2007 at 3:54 pm |
you’re 5′.5″? OMG I think of you as tall and dark haired – do you have blond hair? Isn’t that funny? All of us talk to each other a lot and don’t really know these things.
And OH I love love love “The Office.” It is my don’t miss favorite (until Heroes comes back on and then it will be a toss up).
I laugh loud and big all the time – even when I’m alone – but that fits cause I’m big. 5′9″ (well, probably 5′8″ now that I’m shrinking…I’m shrinking)
Posted by: tammy vitale | Apr 4, 2007 at 4:33 pm |
Hi, Leah,
Oddly, I’ve had the opposite reaction lately to JC’s negativity. It makes me feel better, because I think “I’m not alone” that I struggle so much. I am the one that has to bring up the people around me, including Hubbie, and it’s really hard sometimes. So knowing that JC struggles, too—well, it just makes it easier, somehow.
You are so right about laughter. Sometimes when I’m blogging or doing housework, I keep “Ellen” on in the background. I laugh at her monologue and dance with her and the audience. It is a light part of the day! It keeps me from taking myself too seriously.
I like that Mary Poppins song, too
Can’t wait to see where you end up, but I know it will be good!
Blessings on your day,
Olivia
Posted by: Olivia | Apr 4, 2007 at 4:46 pm |
Great lists of people/shows that make you laugh…a lot of those have given me great pleasure.
Your fiansor sounds a lot like my husband. He is so goofy, so fun, so laid back, and in these respects so good for me.
I love how you turned this dreary New England weather into such a positive post.
Thank you!
Posted by: Tori | Apr 4, 2007 at 6:32 pm |
I love to laugh as well and these kitties made me laugh out loud. My husband teases me because anything with animals (especially when they talk) cracks me right up. There’s nothing I like better than watching comedy and walking out (or sitting in my family room) with a face that hurts from laughing so much.
YES! Cameron is a bit of a downer but I choose to not look at her whinging and take the good from her book – like you, I think it’s been good to read her words because I know that I’m not that down. I feel bad for the comparision but it’s really just more of a perspective.
Posted by: kristen | Apr 4, 2007 at 6:39 pm |
Love those cute little kitties! I love laughing. Laughter really is the best medicine!
And just like you, I wish JC would come out of her funk! What a downer.
I’ve been looking through your old posts – you art is amazing. I loved Up Spring, and the girl sitting by the hollow tree.
Posted by: bella | Apr 5, 2007 at 12:19 am |
Your joy is contagious. Keep laughing!
E
Posted by: Elizabeth | Apr 5, 2007 at 5:33 pm |
i’m like that with g, too! he just cracks me up, constantly. it’s great. you’re so right–a good laugh is a fabulous health tonic. oh, and i have a page from an old victoria’s secret catalogue taped to my fridge: three models in camisoles that say, “spoiled,” “cranky,” and “naughty.” in a lo-tech photoshop exercise, we cut out photos of our three kitties’ heads and pasted them onto their corresponding personality traits. heh.
here is my favorite youtube giggle–enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjXi6X-moxE
Posted by: eliza | Apr 5, 2007 at 7:49 pm |
Leah. I must thank Melba for introducing your blog to me. Pleased to meet you.
On laughing: Yah!! Nothing I love more than laughing right from my toes and right out loud. I can here the 19 year old now saying “God Mom, tone it down.” And then on the other hand I hear my 17 year with her roaring split-your-ear-drums MAN LAUGH! OMG hearing her laugh cracks me up every time and how perfect that what she finds funny no one else does. Praise diversity!!
And oh no, I’m a laugh until I end up crying girl, too. Literally I laugh so hard that I can’t stop and then I’m panting, having what I fear is heart failure and eventually – crying. What the heck?!
I’ll be checking in with your blog again soon.
Posted by: tammigirl | Apr 6, 2007 at 10:38 am |
I LOVE to LAUGH!!!
Drag about the studio thing. Patience, my friend.
My studio happens to be my kitchen counter. I’m cool with it. It always freaks people out when they come to my home for the first time and want to see my studio. I physically position them perfectly in the spot and say, “You’re in it.”
Posted by: eileen (the dream) | Apr 6, 2007 at 8:32 pm |