The Best Medicine?

Not sure if this is a world wide phenomenon, or if it is just in the United States, but there has emerged a frowny sort of subcultural that just seems to love being angry.  Ouch!  It hurts to watch.  I have watched them swear -- cringe worthy. I have watched them sing - painful. Now I am watching them yell -- surprisingly odd. Sad really.  It seems to me that this disjointed, and often unkempt group, hardly notice anything but their own reflection in a mirror and they are getting better at being angry as each day passes.  Along with that is an increase in intolerance and hatefulness on their part toward others. They seem to have become their anger. That's what happens when you practice.  The question I keep asking myself is why? Are some of them paid to act this way and to incite others to behave so badly and sadly? I don't understand. There have been lots of Presidents in the past that I found insufferable, but I didn't let that cast a ugly angry spell over my entire life.  I didn't let that dissatisfaction make me destructive or intolerant of others.  Like I said before -- sad really.  

Here's the thing.  There are single moments in life that one comes to cherish. In contrast to the above, they are moments of pure joy. There is no way to explain these moments.  They just happen.  Some of them -- few and far between -- are moments of sudden and spontaneous bursts of laughter. You never forget them.  They are healthy and restorative. Laughter from deep inside -- maybe from the soul.  You are really fortunate if you share a moment like this with a friend(s).  Then you can both/all recapture that moment in memories shared.  Gifts all.  Rare gifts. Personally -- I love to laugh.  I find it healing...a blessing. I have even been known to laugh uncontrollably at a funeral -- spontaneously. That one is hard to explain -- you sort of had to be there. It was a long time ago.  My friend sang at his own funeral. How often do you hear of that happening?  True story....    

Laughter is contagious too.  Bonus. Then again sometimes you have to let it in. Give it permission. My wish is that some of these frowny faces could have such moments. Is it possible to shift gears in some way to be able to find something positive at least once in a while?  I have thought about asking a couple of these perpetually negative people that very question, but I really don't want to get my face bitten off. Oh how I wish I could make them laugh -- or at least smile. Positive is more constructive...always.  It's healthier as well.

Some really smart person once wrote  -- "We are all responsible for the energy we bring into a room."  I wish I could remember who it was and where I read it.  It sounds like something Joseph Campbell would say.  I do know it was long before Oprah made it a topic on one of her shows.  That I do remember.  Anyway - all this being said....

I wish you laughter... the kind that makes your stomach hurt for a moment as you continue to laugh.  That kind.