A few weeks ago I was walking down the street in Pisa when my friend and I passed a group of friends- probably in their late 20s, early 30s. As we approached one another, a sound roared through the streets.
Laughter.
You know- one of those belly laughs that makes your stomach hurt and brings tears to your eyes.
This group of friends had smiles plastered across their faces. As they looked at one another it was so clear to see the joy in their faces and overall aurora. It was as if they were simply high on life and so happy to be in the moment they were.
So what were they laughing at?
To this day, I still couldn’t tell you. We never really spoke to this group; however, we did exchange a simple smile of acknowledgement as we passed.
Prior to this encounter, I wasn’t in a bad mood by any means. But you see, it was supposed to rain this day, so between the combination of exploring a new place, trying to figure out the way, and the uncertainty of whether the clouds would open up at any second… in a simple moment, all of that was gone.
As these friends continued to belly laugh their way down the street, it was hard not to break out into laughter ourselves… in fact, somehow I had now found myself with tears of my own, and a tad bit of a sore belly- All because of the joy these complete strangers were exuding.
There have been times in my life, where I might not be doing my best. In reflection, I often find myself coming to a single conclusion…
I can vividly picture a conversation I had with my mom at the end of last year. I had been feeling a little down and was trying to find the problem. And then I realized and shared…
“Mom, I don’t laugh here. I haven’t laughed- like really laughed- in, well… too long.”
Something so simple, yet so powerful and contagious.
Laughter.
Since this realization, I’ve become more conscious of this phenomenon- and can I tell you? I’ve now observed many times, while laughing down the street where I look up and someone who originally appeared so serious in front of me, now let out a little chuckle of their own.
So, laugh. Please. For yourself, for others. I’ve truly found it to be the best medicine.
