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“Come Alive!” is a decades-old advertising message from a leading U.S. soda manufacturer. You may recall its appeal. It seemed to say we could be more youthful, with-it, part of the in-group, and living life with zestwhen we chose their brand.
As I’ve matured, I’ve learned that drinking a particular brand of soda cannot make me more youthful, with-it, happier, or joyful. Nor can anything in the external environment make me happy. I’ve learned that joy comes from an internal fountain of youth, my inner spirit of laughter. This innate reservoir of love, hope, optimism, enthusiasm and playfulnessis a lubricant for joyous living and loving relationships.
Sometimes, when our hearts are heavy and our relationships feel joyless, it’s difficult to access our inner spirit of laughter. I’ve discovered that kindness is my admission ticket to this inner resource.
If you’re seeking a way to liven up your relationships and live a more laughter-filled life, here’s a suggestion - choose to speak words of kindness.
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In Latin, “to bless” isbenedicere, which means literally “saying good things.” When you choose words filled with kindness, like when you praise the good you see in others, you are accessing your inner spirit of laughter. Mother Teresa put it this way,
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.”
Are you ready to “Come Alive” and remove the burden of joyless relationships from your heart? Let your words of kindness open your heart center and expand your zest for life. You’ll also discover you’re ready for more laughter in your life, too.
Speak kindly, laugh often. It’s a brand guaranteed to uplift your spirit. So, C’mon, Let’s Laugh!
Marilyn Sprague-Smith, M.Ed., partners with individuals and organizations seeking a catalyst for long-term positive change through her consulting and training firm Miracles & Magic. She is a frequent guest on National Public Radio’s WFDD 88.5 FM Real People, Real Stories, www.wfdd.org www.miraclesmagicinc.com
This article first appeared in NC Journal for Women, Feb ‘05 |
