'Laughercise' - laughter really is the best medicine as doctors find it can be as healthy as exercise

Ok, I've heard this before and if it is true I ought to live forever! I do agree however as being a very optimistic and happy person I notice how I can de-stress a lot of people just by being around them. I smile and greet everyone and have noticed that the most down in the dumps person can at least get one side of their mouth to work upward toward a smile. We'd all be in hog heaven if we'd practice smiling every day. However, smiling at ourselves and being a great buddy to oneself is also very healing and fortifying.

For some JS - it is easier to have that upside down smile..

For me.. I just read the ridiculous statements coming for illogical points of view.. and I just shake my head and smile/laugh... As the Infamous Jackie Gleason stated one time on "The Honeymooners".. Pins and needles, needles and pins.. it's always a happy man that grins.. Something like that.. whenever you feel angered or upset.. one is suppose to say it...

In essence - IF people just took a time out before they exploded or stated something unkind/mean .. then it allows the 'thoughts' of 'calm' to overcome you before blurting out anything.. or yelling angrily.

I taught myself the art of not reacting before thinking. I also try to view the world as a sit-com so that when some rank event occurs I have a tendency to laugh it off instead of grumbling. For instance we have a very obnoxious neighbor and I always fantasize having a mega phone to talk through when this neighbor is outside hoping the world will hear all of her profound words. If I got irritated every time this woman put on a show I would be a mess.

Yes.. I have had my share of obnoxious neighbors.. I understand that..

How about pain in the arse telemarketers? Or people calling at 9:00 - 10pm ..scams trying to "help" you on your credit? I have a solution for them.. I have this horn - "canned horn" that sounds like a Semi .. and when I get them on the line.. I blast the thing... Then I imagine the person running around holding onto their ear in a mad craze, and not being able to hear for about a week or to.. Lmfao when that happens.. one could use a high pitched whistle too...

I've heard of that trick, Par4TheCourse, but haven't tried it as I have only a cell phone and don't get unsolicited calls. However, in the days of landline I would have enjoyed your "canned horn". You've probably blow a couple of eardrums with that thing. I also make up dialogues when people act weird and it makes me laugh. They can't hear what I'm saying but they'll say some off the wall thing and I'll pretend they are addressing me and the fun begins.

lol .. some gibberish dialogue is a good one.. that's the stuff I use to give my father when I was a youngun and I was in trouble for something.. He would ask a question directly..and would expect an answer the same way.. I would say gibberish..and he would ask.. Huh? It only worked one or two times.. 'cause I'd know if I tried it again I'd get the same response after that.. a backhand ...with the words "wise arse"..

I do not own a cell phone.. If I had my druthers I wouldn't own a phone...

I like having only a cell phone as the only people calling me are my loved ones or a doctor or dentist office. I rarely call anyone and only when forced. I figure if someone wants to talk to me they can call me because as the old saying goes, my fingers are painted on!

I absolutely agree. I recover from illnesses and injuries quickly due to my outlook. Last summer I crushed my wrist at the beach and had to wear a cast after surgery for some time. My doctor expected the healing time might be much longer due to the type of injury and my age. He was surprised and delighted when I healed at the same pace a child would heal. I even made it through therapy faster than most. I called my incapacitated arm, "Pearl" and treated it like a high maintenance friend needing constant care. I had a great time and managed to get through the bother in great spirits and entertained a lot of people.

StevG, You and your wife proved that humor is much better for healing than sorrow. I know it must have been a hard ordeal to wade through and I can almost feel your joy when told the cancer was in remission. My sister died of cancer 6 years after being diagnosed. She had never been a very happy person but I could always get her laughing even when she was telling me bummer stories. I always wished she came with the sense of humor I was born to but alas that wasn't in her make up. I am very happy that I could make her world a bit sillier and humorous however.

I do have her by my side a lot, StevG. She loved Queen and the morning after we said "Good bye" to her my daugter came downstairs and said, "Auntie came to me this morning. I awoke singing "Another One Bites the Dust". It was one of her favorite songs. I decided if I have a memorial when I die I want that song to be my good bye song.

Fitting and funny at the same time, you go girl.