mar's Desk

marcoujor: The Best Medicine

6/28/2017

Happy Wednesday and Happy Summer too!For years I’ve wrestled with my ambivalence towards May and June. These are two months filled with memories of loved ones gone and life-changing trauma.

Yet these months also celebrate special days in the lives of family and friends--times of joy, hope and smiles.

One man in particular is both family and friend, my cousin who lives in North Augusta, SC who has a birthday on June 15th. Thomas is from Miss Sammie’s side of the family, the only child of Mom’s oldest sister, Maryruth and my Uncle Pete.

While slightly older than me, Thomas and I share a passionate love of music, especially southern rock. He is a trusted confidant, despite the miles that separate us and I cannot think of him without an ENORMOUS smile attacking my face.

The last few years Thomas has lost two beloved ladies in his life--his wife, Mary, and a longtime friend, Lois Lee.

Despite profound sadness, his life outlook remains optimistic and positive. I recently received this email from Thomas. I hope you all take the time to watch this brief advertisement.

This is a reminder that we all have troubles (and if you don’t, I am seriously happy for you). Even more, this is a reminder that of all the treatments and remedies in the world, laughter is truly the best medicine.

Here you go...

When you think of riding the subway, laughter and joy aren’t the first words that spring to mind.

It’s a cramped place full of grumpy people either coming home from a bad day at work or are just generally upset. Yet if you’re lucky enough, sometimes you can find happiness in a subway train.

One such magical moment was captured when a Belgian advertising agency working for Coca-Cola hired an actor to randomly start laughing on the train.

With the tagline, “Happiness starts with a smile.” Their new ad aims to bring a bit of joy to everyone’s day.

Just watch and we dare you not to let out a small giggle, too.

Thanks, Thomas. That video was ‘just what the doctor ordered’. I wanted to share this, along the same lines, I start laughing from the inside out when I listen to this song...

ShoutOuts

☙ Studying is not every child's cup of tea via Martie’s Foyer

☙ Thinning the Fruit ~ When Less is Better! Via WarnerWords

☙ Counting Your Change via Fireside with Rolly

☙ Guardian Blue via On Story Street

☙ Misnomers about our wild horses, burros and other news

May our collective laughter truly be infectious through this world. Hey ... I can hear you Canada, Sweden, South Africa, London and all four corners of our United States.

Hugs and see you next week,

mar

18 Comments

Mike

6/28/2017 10:34:25 am

Hello mar - that was great. a nice way to begin a morning. thanks for the laugh. there must be a lesson in here!

Maria link

6/30/2017 09:07:16 am

May each of our days start with laughter, dear Mike.

Lesson? Message in a fortune cookie? Whatever ... ;)

Rolly A. Chabot link

6/28/2017 10:50:38 am

Hi Maria
You got me with this one, I mean really who could not laugh. Interesting I was in a waiting room last Friday, most people were sitting looking at their phones etc. Barely a word was spoken. All of a sudden a lady was looking at her phone and much the same thing happened. Most people started laughing and it was infectious. After it passed I was blessed with watching people actually talking... it was great. Thank you for sharing this Maria... it was awesome.

Hugs and Blessings

Maria link

6/30/2017 09:09:43 am

I LOVE your story, dear Rolly.

I frequently strike up conversations with total strangers in waiting rooms of all kinds ... and shared laughter, even better!

Have a lovely day and Happy Canada Day too (tomorrow).
Hugs, Maria

Sannel Larson link

6/28/2017 01:03:49 pm

Dear Maria,

I bet you heard me laughing all the way from Sweden when I was watching this video, didn't you? :) Thank you for sharing this wonderful video that brought me a great giggle today. A hearty and infectious laugh is truly the best medicine there is. I would have loved to watch the second video but it will not play here in this part of the world. I shall try to find it elsewhere.
Take care of yourself and keep laughing!
My love and hugs to you,
Sannel

Maria link

6/30/2017 09:12:03 am

Hi Sannel,
I 'thought' that was the sound of your sweet laughter I heard all the way from Sweden.
Not surprised you enjoyed this - because YOU are a smile maker.
Love you and Freddie too, Maria

Cynthia Sageleaf link

6/28/2017 06:01:55 pm

Maria, not only did I laugh - belly laugh - at that first video, but then I ended up crying happy tears. It just goes to show you that one person can change the energy of an entire TRAIN! What magic and incredibleness! That second video made me chuckle, too. I've been wanting to investigate something called laughter yoga. I'm going to find out more about it and then write a post on it, because I hear it's phenomenal and FUNNY! haha. Thank you for sharing such an awesome set of videos here.
Something else I thought of for you. May and June are sort of crummy months for you, right? Hmm...this made me think about what if you tackled something on your bucket list in each of these months? Create a new memory to lesson the more painful ones: one in which you'll remember something incredible. Something that makes you smile every time you think about it. Ah well...it's just a thought. I'm carrying you in my heart during these "heavier months"- and sending you BIG HUGS! xoxo

Maria link

6/30/2017 09:31:20 am

Dear Cynthia,

A dear friend (you'd love her too) introduced me to laughter yoga at a workshop she co-led. Fun and peace wrapped up into one - how cool, right?!

I love your idea for next year as I embrace the beginning of July tomorrow. I intend to give this some serious thought - thinking two items...one for May and one for June.

Speaking of July, wishing you peaceful and sacred travels. No worries on a virtual level - you come back on your time.

Love and safe travels, Maria

paula link

6/28/2017 08:50:32 pm

Great! Simply great. I wonder if I should admit that I laugh~~belly laugh, out loud, in public all the time, because of something I saw, I heard or maybe even thought of. I will laugh and cry, while reading Greeting cards at the pharmacy while waiting for my scripts!
It has never occurred to me to hold back or try to squelch an innocent and pure expression of emotion.....I've even shared a funny card with a complete stranger, standing nearby, so they can laugh too~~ and they DO! This video is a great idea.....more people should do it! Just watch out for the "men in the white coats!!"" LOL.
Funny thing, Maria, my boys would be embarrassed when I laughed really hard and out loud at a funny movie.....soon they began sitting on the other side of the theatre from me!! But NOW, they do it too!! LOL What the HELL are you suppose to do at a funny movie??!!
I'm a laugher, and I can't hide it. The best thing to do is make everyone else laugh too! Then, what can they say??
If laughter ever becomes illegal, I'm screwed! LOL.....Love this and love you too girlfriend! Effer.

Maria link

6/30/2017 10:38:42 am

Oh Paula,
Thank you for laughing at the greeting card rack...I do too...all the time - which is the reason I shop alone. FUNNY, strangers appreciate my sense of humor - which makes me free to laugh even more.
And movies...?? I am all over the map...from screaming out words of protection - to sobbing in a heap - to LMAO. Needless to say, "On Demand" is how I usually 'go to the movies' these days!
Love you - all of you, Maria

Vicki link

7/1/2017 12:21:58 am

Dear Mareer,

I'm like Paula - love to laugh. That ad is wonderful, and wouldn't the world be a much better place if we could all laugh? Somehow it seems to iron out the stresses of life.
Thinking of you, girl. You know that.
Love and hugs,
Vickster

Maria link

7/6/2017 06:44:37 am

Dear Vickster,

Indeed this world would be ever so much better with more laughter.

And I feel your caring thoughts each day - you are loved and appreciated.

Hugs, mareer

Peggy Woods link

7/3/2017 06:07:15 pm

So sorry your cousin has had to bear such losses. Am sure you are there to prop him up as much as possible.

That Cola ad was so much fun to watch. It cannot help to cheer people up no matter how their day is going. Thanks!

Maria link

7/6/2017 06:50:27 am

So lovely to see you, dear Peggy.

Thanks for your kind words to Thomas - he is an easy man to be there for - and he is reciprocal in his love for family too.

I'm thrilled you had fun with this advertisement too - that makes me smile!

Take good care. Hugs, Maria

Angelia Phillips link

7/12/2017 10:59:38 am

Prof. Mahreer,

A wonderful tribute to Thomas, here.

I love your inclusion of although he's had some incredible troubles to challenge him, he's maintained a positive outlook.

Bravo, Thomas! You inspire me!

Maria link

7/13/2017 06:49:58 am

Dear Ange,

It was a joy to dedicate this post to Thomas. I agree that his outlook is inspiring on many levels.

Have a peaceful day and keep cool. Love, mar

Shauna

9/1/2017 04:07:08 pm

Mar, I've seen that laughter video before and it never fails to make me bust out in gales of laughter. How can you not? Laughter really is the best medicine. And this video proves it's contagious. A contagion that needs no panacea!

Maria link

9/2/2017 08:36:18 pm

Dear Sha,

Glad this brought you some laughs. Like you, I never get tired of watching this infectious video.

Hope you are having a relaxing weekend. Love ya, mar

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