Hey there Buddha, are you laughing at me or laughing with me?
No matter which, you seem to be saying, “Lighten up, Kat. Life’s not so serious. Laugh a little.”
Laughter is a good thing. Laughing at myself is one of the best things I’ve learned to do. When I get all serious and wrapped up in something, if I can take a step back and really look at it, I often see how absurd it all is. I laugh.
I didn’t learn this from myself, or some great spiritual teacher like Buddha. I learned it from a coworker who laughs at everything. He laughs at himself, he laughs at others, he laughs at nothing. A big, booming laugh. There is nothing malicious to it, just contagious. You can’t help but join in. And when the laughter starts from some little quirkiness of mine, well, all the better to show me how silly I sound.
Maybe laughter is the best medicine. I know that I have learned more perspective from learning to laugh at myself than almost anything else.
Lighten up, Kat. Life’s not so serious.
Apparently I was in need of some laughter and happiness today! These laughing Buddhas make me smile, but the idea that they have a message for me is even better. I feel lighter for writing this today. No deep or serious message for me today – just laughter. Thanks, Buddha.
What have you found in your Photo-Heart Connection for April? Deep messages, calming thoughts, or maybe some light hearted fun? Your heart knows what you need, and your photos help you make that connection. It’s always fun to see what emerges. I look forward to seeing yours!
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May 1, 2012 8:21 am
Such a fun and colorful image and the lightheartedness of it feels good. I’m glad you can step away from the serious and laugh. I need to be better at that. About 4+ years ago I stopped watching the news/taking the paper. It was in a step-back kind of way. Too much stress about things I can not control or help. This post sort of reminds of that and how refreshing it is to let go. Glad you have the PHC linky. It is helpful to look back over a month’s images and reflect. Thanks Kat.
May 1, 2012 5:31 pm
I’m with you on the news Susan! I stopped my daily dose of bad news in Italy and it has improved my mood considerably. It’s amazing how much less you have to worry about, when you aren’t always filling your mind with worries! Glad you’re enjoying the PHC, too.
May 1, 2012 8:32 am
What a great image and the perfect reminder to laugh more often.
May 1, 2012 10:44 am
Hi Kat,
I’m a good one, or should that read bad one, for taking things too seriously. I’m afraid that Buddha could be talking to me…..guess that’s why I have a husband and daughter that remind me to lighten up! Luckily, it’s time to get our fun daughter back from college. Let the laughter and messy house begin
Thanks for the PHC. It’s a useful experience to look backwards at a month’s work and consider where you’ve been.
May 1, 2012 5:30 pm
Yay for your daughter returning home! A summer of fun, that’s what all of us serious folk need.
And Yay for your experience with the Photo-Heart Connection!
May 1, 2012 10:58 am
I was told long ago to make yourself laugh a big hearty laugh 3 times when you are down, and pretty soon you will be laughing more and feeling better. It always works for me.
May 1, 2012 5:29 pm
Such good advice! It probably feels weird to force it, but the benefit is worth it!
May 1, 2012 2:44 pm
made me smile just looking at all those little buddahs, be happy Kat! Lifes good,
May 1, 2012 6:23 pm
i love love love this! the image…your words. i know for me, in the midst of it all, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that life truly is not so serious…it’s my reaction to certain things that make it so…and a good laugh definitely helps. thanks for the reminder.
May 1, 2012 7:09 pm
Your laughing buddhas are delightful! It is easy to get bogged down with the weight of the world, and we need to find time to laugh and be silly sometimes. I try to find a balance, but it’s not easy. My laughing yoga class helps!
May 1, 2012 7:32 pm
Oh Kat, thank you for this. That’s all, a BIG THANK YOU for the reminder to lighten up a bit.
And as always, even thought life is full of things to do and can get busy, I look forward to making my photo heart connection.
May 1, 2012 8:04 pm
What a wonderful post. You are lucky to have a co-worker who is a good example on how to laugh. I had a wonderful day on Sunday with my daughter and part of the joy and beauty was in how much we laughed together. Two laughs are better than one!
May 2, 2012 7:00 am
So true – “Two laughs are better than one!”
May 2, 2012 9:55 am
I hope you rubbed all of those bellies for good luck as well as a laugh !
May 2, 2012 10:07 pm
How lovely that the laughing Buddha has brought you into a lighter, more joyful energy field! What a great reminder that little statue is!
Some people are just naturally joyful, aren’t they? I love the sound of your co-worker who booms with laughter at everything and makes everyone laugh with him! What a wonderful gift to give that to others!
It’s so nice to join up with the photo-heart connection, especially at this time of the year when beautiful nature brings us into the energy of renewal and joy!
May 2, 2012 10:22 pm
Kat, What an amazing pic. Did you take this during your sojourn to SF? Thanks for the reminder to laugh, be present and not take life too seriously. Your site and PHC is an amazing gift to humanity. You are so wise and I am blessed that I’ve met you along this inspiring journey!
Onward,
Toan
May 3, 2012 5:50 am
nice photo Kat, these make me smile too.
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May 3, 2012 10:58 am
Kat, I hope you don’t mind sharing ‘my’ laughing Budha… He makes me smile every time I see him. That’s quite often as I have a picture of him next to the entrance to our house
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http://www.creatissimolab.com/blog/2010/3/3/laugh.html
May 3, 2012 5:09 pm
Thank you bringing a smile to my face. And the recognition that I tend to take myself a little too seriously as well – a little laughter would be a good thing to bring into my world.
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May 4, 2012 6:16 am
i’m hearing you on this one..i’m serious more often than not..& need to lighten up too..thanks for the reminder..its time for a laugh
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May 6, 2012 6:11 pm
Oh, love the laughing Buddhas. And the three color choices.. What a fun photo with an important message!
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May 7, 2012 4:41 am
Hi Kat
Thank you for your kind welcome last month. Apologies for not replying sooner and apologies also to all you kind people who left a comment on my posting last month too. Thank you for taking to time to visit my blog.
I love this month’s laughing Buddhas. They are infectious and make me laugh. This is the sharing part of this project, something I forgot or didn’t think about. And this is something I will take on board. As I naively embraced this project as a means of reconnecting with myself and was focused that way. But what I failed to realise is this is also a project that re-connects me with other people.
Thank you
Best
Sheree