give (g-)
v. t. & i.
bestow gratuitously
with or without delivery, confer ownership of, make a present of.
No one
has ever become poor by giving.
- Anne
Frank.
____________________
Of all
the things I am grateful for, laughter is high on my list.
There is
something so beautiful in the ability to laugh at oneself, to be able to let go
of self-doubt and acknowledge the fun of a situation.
The
blessings that are the people who make you laugh, who make you comfortable
enough to giggle like a school girl, snort like a pig, cackle like a witch or hyena.
The
self-satisfaction of having made someone laugh: even if it is because you make
funny noises when you talk or because you have a habit of being totally clumsy
and hurting yourself in amusing ways.
The
contagious joy a real laugh spreads. Knowing in that moment you couldn’t
contain yourself, couldn’t withstand the pressure on your ribs, couldn’t
explain why or how but nonetheless there it goes,
a good ol’ laugh that catches
on until before you know it, tears are rolling down, tummy muscles are hurting
and your cheeks feel like they might seize up in a permanent smiling form.
Those are
the moments to live for.
Laughter,
like all the most delightful things in this world, is a gift that comes without
the expectation of something in return.
It washes over you in a bid to show
yourself and everyone else that happiness can be achieved simply by letting
yourself react.
No one
has ever become poor by giving.
____________________________
In our constant
pursuit of happiness, we can often forget there are those that must live only by
survival. Whose very being depends on their serious determination to exist and continue
existing.
Their lives are not measured by iPhones or holidays.
They are subject
to greed, displacement and hunger.
They line up for water, not for gadgets.
They ask for basic needs and human rights, things some may take for granted.
But they too know the gift of giving.
Laughter
runs free and wild over all generations, all walks of life. It does not
discriminate against colour of skin, against gender or wealth. It can raise
hope in a soul that is almost crushed and bring happiness to the forgotten
corners of the earth.
And it
costs nothing but a thought.
We are
all capable of great and wonderful deeds. They do not need to be on a
monumental scale to be worth a lot.
No one
has ever become poor by giving.
__________________________
The gift
of laughter can be easily given. Easily taught. Easily enjoyed.
Do
yourself a favour, and give a lot of it. Give so much of it you wonder if it’ll
ever run out.
And know that no matter how small the gesture may seem, acts of
kindness in the face of adversity are by far the bravest gestures of them all.
I am so
grateful for those who share their laughter with me and let me share
mine with them. Your love & kindness does not go unnoticed.
PEACE & A WHOLE LOT OF GUTS LOVING
X
