
Laughter is the best medicine. Charlie Chapman once said, “To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain and play with it.” And wow, what an idea. Making peace with grief and grievances has been my focus over the past three years. I may have needed to come to Alaska to heal myself but, then she gave me her own dose of sadness. Perhaps my life here has been a test to see after these 49 years if I have really learned anything about living. Every day we are dying and then we are dead. Death is sad, but it is not to be feared. I’ve learned to let go of things, places and people–in an attempt to find myself and find joy. I never quite figure it all out, but I do hold that joy–almost daily.
Life is like two steps forward and a step back at all times… and sometimes it’s three steps back. But, I keep pushing forward!
When I think I am coming close to achieving a personal goal–I self sabotage or get caught in some kind of unavoidable trap. And there is always the hindrance of not having enough money to make ends meet. I often wonder what kind of art I could have created if I had the means to THINK & ACT BIG. And if you know me–you know I think as big as I can.
Life makes me laugh. I smile just because the sky is blue–and wicked beautiful. I work as a recess monitor at my son’s school. Despite working outside, in below freezing temperatures, all winter–my heart chuckles daily at the sweetness of the children I work with. And Alaska’s winters last darn near… forever. It’s April and there is still a solid foot or two of snow/ice blanketing the landscape. When green starts to peak out of the landscape–holy wild flower-grass-miracle of miracles choruses singing in my heart-amaze balls, batman! ! And I know it’s coming soon.
What makes me laugh? The joy of living. Really human experience. Turning off of the world, turning on of nature. I am becoming a very fun old lady who may be learning some patience, but probably has even less time for bullshit.
Jean Houston said, “At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities.”