In all likelihood, the people you enjoy spending the most time with are fun to be around. “Has a good sense of humor” is frequently listed as an important characteristic that people look for when they are dating. The word “Humor” comes from the latin “umor” which means “fluid”. So, it isn’t a stretch to make the statement that people with a good sense of humor are likely more flexible in their approach to life. “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not get bent out of shape” is one of my favourite quotes.
Being flexible in life will help you to cope at a higher level with just about any challenge that you may have to face. We can create our own mini panic about any unplanned situation that happens in our daily lives. On a personal note, I used to excel at making the challenges in my life bigger than they needed to be. Nothing-ever-goes-right-in-my-life became my refrain and unhappiness was invited into my life on a daily basis. Once I became aware of what I was doing, I started to consciously change my responses and chose to see the amusing side of almost everything that happened during the course of each day. The difference in the quality of my daily life was enormous, plus my mental and physical health improved substantially. Now, when things don’t go quite as I had planned, my response is to laugh about it. It doesn’t upset me and I am not sending negative messages to my body by becoming agitated.
I know a man who, as a teenager had an accident at school and was left to spend the rest of his life with the diagnosis of Quadraplegia. His Mother was his rock as he adjusted to living with a body that was different to what he had become used to. She helped him to find the internal chutzpah to move ahead mentally and did not allow him to mire himself in the world of ‘poor little me’. He went on to become a Social Worker and then got married. A couple of years ago he had a kidney transplant and is still smiling despite the challenges he has faced in his life. Now, when you meet him you barely notice the wheelchair he uses for mobility. He is truly amazing and has chosen to deal with his challenges in a positive and flexible manner. No doubt it took a long time to reach this point – but the fact is he succeeded. You seldom see him without a smile on his face.
It’s not always easy to be flexible when changes occur in your life, but if you can find a way to relax and laugh at life, you’ll find there are benefits mentally and physically. So, if you feel things are building up and getting to you – stop and tense up your entire body; squeeze all your muscles tightly – then relax all muscles and jiggle your entire body letting your arms swing about and add a verbal “aahhhhhhhhhh” to it as well. It’s a great release and it’s also kind of fun to do. It’s even better if you can do it in front of a mirror. Do it at work and start a rumour……… “Psssst – hey, I saw Mary standing in front of the mirror in the woman’s washroom and she was – well, jiggling and giggling……………” I’m laughing as I type this. Make it a great week and see how many times a day this week you can laugh at life. Aw c’mon, practice being flexible.
Carole Fawcett is a freelance writer and speaker whose specialty is Stress Management and Laughter Therapy. She is passionate about what she does and her Audiences go away with a whole new outlook on life. She lives what she believes and delights in laughing as much as she possibly can each and every day. She is frequently heard to say "if you are not having fun, you are doing something wrong." Her website is: http://www.afunnybusiness.ca
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