Discover Top Posts Tagged with #silentlaugh

Laughter is the shortest distance between two people. -Victor Borge

According to Wikipedia, “Laughter is a physical reaction in humans consisting typically of rhythmical, often audible contractions of the diaphragm and other parts of the respiratory system. It is a response to certain external or internal stimuli.”

My favorite part of this definition are the two words “often audible”. When I read this my face immediately stretches into a smile and I can feel the start of that familiar bubbling in my chest and throat. Those two words stimulate a response that turns into the very thing I’m writing about; my very, very favorite kind of laugh, the silent one. The laugh where zero sound can be made because you’re in a state of near hyperventilation due to extreme hilarity, appropriate or not. Sometimes this silent laugh is accompanied by losing control of one’s body leading to doubling over, rolling on the floor or requiring the assistance of a wall or otherwise stationary object to remain upright. Those are the whole body silent laughs. Best of the best.

The human in my life with whom I’ve share the most silent laughs is my best friend. You could argue that this is because we’ve had something close to 36 years to tally up the silent giggles, but it’s more than that. My best friend and I, even though we’ve lived in separate states longer than we were neighbors, without talking for weeks (or even months) can draw the kind of belly laughs from one another that turn an otherwise no good very bad day into one that holds moments of pure unadulterated joy.

Can a laugh really hold that much power?

Shared with a special person, absolutely. The laugh symbolizes so much more than a physical reaction. It can be proof of connection, community, long history of shared experiences and intimacy. But what about the laughs you share with yourself or strangers? I’m not talking about laughing at yourself, although that’s cathartic, and necessary as an adult. Think about what it feels like to laugh out loud while reading a book, seeing a funny meme on Instagram, or watching a comedic moment during a solo Netflix & Chill. Instant, even if fleeting, face lift; am I right? What about laughing with strangers on an airplane, in the line at the grocery store or with people you’re trying to get to know; shared experiences create bonds. Laughter, is one of the simplest and most enjoyable experiences to share. What does it feel like to make eye contact with a stranger during the latest attempt at humor from a Southwest Airlines flight attendant? For me, it’s a brief acknowledgement of ‘we’re in this thing together’, and a reminder that there’s always time to share a smile and chuckle. Positivity! <- More of that please.

I’m not pitching a personal campaign to save humanity through laughter, silent or otherwise. My motive for reflecting on one of my favorite past times and writing about it is self-serving. It’s a reminder to me and perhaps for anyone else that reads this and can relate. On some days that feel like no good very bad days I feel that way because I don’t feel useful, I can’t fix something or like I don’t have much to contribute. Recently, my best friend happened to call me, out of the blue, on one of these days. After our conversation, giving each other the gift of laughter; and yes also the reminder of unwavering friendship, love and support, my day did a 180. Laughter is medicinal and contagious. Kind hearted laughter is always a gift well received and easy to pass along. Just participate!

I can also tell you that despite sitting on the phone over 2,000 miles apart during that phone call, in the midst of the laughs shared between my best friend and I it felt like we were occupying the very same space. If that’s not proof of power, I don’t know what is.

#laughter #bestfriend #powerful #positivity #positivevibes #laughterismedicine #laughterisgoodforthesoul #silentlaugh

Bunny and I were taking a sit down break in the Pantheon. There are signs all over saying "quiet" and "silence" and once a guard even shushed everyone on the microphone. Then this lady sitting near me just cuts the cheese so loud on the wooden bench and we almost died silent laughing 😂 #dailycomic #comic #comics #artistsoninstagram #chicagocomics #autobiocomics #journalcomic #fart #pantheon #shhh #touristfarts #silentlaugh (at Pantheon)