Lynn's Laughter Blip for September

By Lynn Shaw, Laugh Therapist

Frances, Charles and Ivan are not names that are in the top 20 children's names today. Yet, these names have been heard daily in the media and in many households. For those who know these three up close and personal, survival and living are now equated with the ravages of the mighty forces of nature. Maintaining one's sense of composure and sense of humor is not as easy when adversity strikes like a hurricane. These experiences focus on us the human factor in crisis and we hear stories about miracles and gratitude. We also hear stories of sadness and grief. 

I was glad to hear from three women in the Florida area who are regrouping from their ordeal. I am amazed and amused at how they are managing their homes and jobs. One woman decided to share laughter with her neighbors as they waited for the power to return to their area. She reports that up and down the block, laughter was heard as people reconnected. Another woman wrote that she could laugh at what seemed important before and is now insignificant. She said, "Now I can have a HOT shower!" She was ecstatic when her power came back on to heat the water tank. These women and hundreds of others are regrouping and yet on guard for the final waves of Ivan. Through their desire to use their laughter and humor to cope, they are not just surviving -- they are living.   

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Copyright (c) 2002 Lynn Shaw. All rights reserved. For permission to publish this article, email contact@selfhealingexpressions.com