If you only knew, how weird I really am...

"life isn't what it seems...it's much better"

While enjoying my morning coffee and reading this mornings paper, I came across an article about a 'Laughing Club'. Of course this caught my attention, but turns out it wasn't quite what I expected...it was much better.

"I'd rather be thought of as a happy Jack Ass, then as a serious professional"

The Laughter Clubs, which are now spread all over the world, was the brain child of a Dr. Madan Kataria. The good doctor was a rather dour and homourless professional (his description). Inspired by reading about the story of Normal Cousins (the guy who cured his cancer with a regimen of intense belly laughter) our Indian doctor started the first 'Laughter Club'.

At first they started by telling jokes but after a short time the jokes digressed into offending each other with off color jokes and sexist humor. Funny for awhile, but soon the laughs stopped. It was then that the doctor had his epiphany. What if we removed the reason for laughing (the jokes) and just laughed for no reason at all?

The next meeting of the group Dr Kataria, told the group, they no longer would need a reason to laugh. This made one guy laugh. Soon they were laughing for no reason at all. The sound of one person laughing would have others laughing and soon it spread like a wild fire. And if you didn't feel like laughing you were told to fake it, which enevitably turned into real laughter.

This reminded me of my own joke telling experiences. My friends like to get me telling jokes, not because they are so funny, but because I frequently start laughing myself before I reach the punch line. The fact that I'm laughing too much to get to the punch line, really cracks them up.

After I left the restaurant and was driving home, an idea popped into my head. Why not try laughing for no reason? I was alone in the car, so why not? At first I had to force a short laugh. I tried again and it got a little better. I kept trying and soon a strange thing happened. I started laughing uncontrollable. Now I'm easily amused but this was becoming hilarious.

I came to a red light, but by now I practically have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard. I car pulls up beside me and the guy is looking at me like I'm some sort of space cadet. This really sets me off in another fit of laughter. Within seconds he's laughing so hard he's pounding the steering wheel.

He pulls away from the red light giving me that universal sign language that I know means that I'm a nut case. So, I'm turning at the light and I see a woman standing on the corner waiting to cross the street. She has been watching this and she is laughing her head off. All these people laughing, and having no idea what we are laughing about. By this point I'm beyond being embarrassed, who cares it's hilarious.

By the time I get home, I've calmed myself down but my stomach hurts. I've laughed so much my stomach muscles sore. I reached the conclusion that those people think I'm weird, so I conclude...welcome to the club.

I've since discovered that what I was doing is called 'Laughter Yoga' Funny, I thought I was just making a fool of myself?

A quick check with my friend Mr. Google and I find all the benefits of laughter. There are tremendous physical and emotional benefits backed up by research. Here are a few; weight loss, mood elevation, freedom from chronic pain and even evidence of strengthened immune system.

So here is my challenge for you? I'm asking you to test this idea right now. Look at this article and start laughing. If it helps you, look at my mug and start laughing (that would work for my amigos). Pretty soon you will find yourself laughing at your own laughter. Go with it, enjoy it and join with the fools like me!

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to mark your calender on the first Sunday in May...that is "World Laughter Day"

Eduardo