Thursday, June 01, 2006

The Importance of Giggling

Yesterday I met Frieda and Laura for coffee for one hour between 8:30 and 9:30 am. We met at our usual Panera restaurant, tanked up on caffeine and began to discuss the following topics at breakneck speed:
Real Estate prices, sex, husbands, our recent incomes, teaching at guilds,
murder, stabbing, knitting, dreams, travel schedules, quilts,
painting, pets and their toilettes, children, blogging, gardens,
art, going on a girlfriends trip to Santa Fe, people we know in common, tiny bits of gossip,
bra sales and the support needed for large breasts, (Frieda showed us her new bra, but the guy across the way was not paying attention and missed it all),

and we all laughed LOUDLY like we owned the place, as usual, and no one seemed to mind.
I showed them my newly finished quilts and they were very complimentary and I was surprised at which were chosen as their favorites. I can't remember at the moment what they were, but I am happy they were received with such enthusiasm and delight.

Then the magic hour was up, and we all went to pee, and say goodby and laughed our way to our respective cars.

Now the reason I bring this up, is that it was like a tonic to laugh like that.
Could a president's council set up a study group on this? Could we institute an hour a day for laughter?
We should because it feels so INVIGORATING AND HEALTHY. It clears the mind and resets the brain and makes the workday seem so much better. Once a week is the minimum for this kind of experience, but if you are really lucky and can find it at home within your family circle, why not make it a priority?
It sure made the bill paying endurable when I got home.

18 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:16 AM

    an absolute riot of color. I love it. You must be having fun. I see you doing a little happy dance with the brushes loaded with paint....cha,cha,cha...

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  2. Melody -

    I read your blog on a daily basis and find your quilts to be so inspiring. Well, imagine my surprise when my new Quilter's Newletter arrived in the mail yesterday and there on the cover is your name. I was so excited!

    My birthday is coming up in a couple of weeks and I have already announce that i want a Dharman gift certificate so I can try my hand at dyeing fabric. Since you make mostly art quilts, I expect that the quilts don't get washed too often, if ever. Is there anything I would need to do to make sure my colors will last with repeated washings? What colors of dye would you suggest starting off with?

    Thanks for your help!

    Sarah Norman

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  3. Last year when you and I and my friend Kate went out for lobster we laughed like that It's so delightful you don't even mind if the other diners are rolling their eyes.

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  4. Anonymous11:06 AM

    I very much like the colors - and read your blog nearly every day. The attraction for me is that you include "learning" - in addition to the day-to-day girl stuff. Keep it up.

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  5. Talking about stabbing folks and flashing your friends in public...now THERE'S a recipe for a great time!! LOL! Sounds like a fun day!

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  6. There has been research dealing with laughter and healing. the most well known studies were done by Norman Cousins. Laughter is definately the best medicine.

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  7. looks like you are having a great time with painting too! gorgeous.

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  8. Anonymous11:56 AM

    Love, Love, LOVE the artwork! Get those babies in an art gallery and I predict they will no longer live at your house!

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  9. Ahh! Good friends to laugh with - now that is nirvana and I am missing my old ones and acquiring new ones. Of course grandchildren help in this area, too.

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  10. Anonymous12:34 PM

    your art and laughter are both incredibly inspiring! I can't wait to meet you in person one day!

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  11. O! The colors!
    Were those colors before or after the laughing? You are on a roll!

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  12. Nothing like a good laugh with good company. The canvas gives those paintings a lovely background texture.

    Shirley in New Zealand

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  13. There are laughter groups that meet daily in India...I think it's India. I do know that it's a great idea.

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  14. Anonymous8:17 PM

    I love it when I can get together with Tara and Karina and do this. We just don't seem to have enough opportunity with our schedules.

    Love the paintings. Are you going to sell any of these?? I DO have an entire condo/studio to fill.

    teri

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  15. I think it's not simply laughing.. but sharing laughing with others.

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  16. Anonymous2:06 AM

    You're so right about the laughter, my sister and I both suffer from chronic depression, but when we get together (at least once a week) we are able to move away from our problems and make each other laugh for a few hours, and not those demure lady-like giggles - no way! We have those deep, long belly-laughs that take your breath away and make you have to pee... LOL. Being able to laugh, even when you have nothing to laugh about - laughing about the fact that you have nothing to laugh about - that's what saves us and shores us up for the next week!
    I am LOVING your paintings - the color's are fantistic and they practically scream "freedom"... =0)

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  17. Anonymous4:19 AM

    Wonderful and informative web site. I used information from that site its great. oak audio cabinets Farmer mutual insurance

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