Monthly Archives: July 2011

What makes you laugh?

I love to laugh.

I love to just throw my head back and laugh out loud, from deep down inside. To giggle uncontrollably can get a little embarrassing, though – ever have that happen? Something struck you so funny that you got an attack of the giggles at not the best moment? Like during the preacher’s message in church? or in a sad situation? or in some other place where laughing is inappropriate? or maybe when you were alone in a crowd somewhere and no one else was laughing – and everyone failing to see the joke looked at you as if you were crazy?

When I was a troubled teenage girl, growing into an equally troubled young woman, I used to look at myself in the mirror and pleadingly pray, “God, please make me pretty and witty.” At the time it seemed to me that the best way for me to be accepted by people was to be pretty and to make people laugh. Well, it seems the Lord answered that prayer of my heart because I can be pretty witty at times.  😉

As I said, I love to laugh. There have been times in my life where laughter was extremely hard to come by, when I wouldn’t laugh for weeks on end. Now that was gloomy. And no fun at all.

Some days laughter is truly the best medicine. I’m sure you have heard about people who were terribly ill with no help in sight until they found things to laugh at which began their healing. Funny movies, funny stories, slapstick humour such as The Three Stooges kind of stuff. Laughter releases endorphins into the brain, and that relieves stress, lowers high blood pressure and .. simply makes you feel better.

What makes you laugh? Is it a good joke? Is it things people do? Is it you yourself that you find the most humour in, maybe things that happened to you or things you said by mistake? (Ever commit a comical faux pas that gets you laughing every time you think of it?)

Or are you someone who just cannot laugh at yourself? Are you too serious — maybe?

What do you find so funny that you have to laugh out loud or burst?

If there a good clean joke or story that you have found to be the funniest you have come across to date – and that you would like to share – I would love to read it, as I’m sure others stopping by would, too.  🙂

Now, having said all that, there are things that do not make me laugh, such as things done at the price of hurting someone else. I like the chance to enjoy a good laugh if it is uplifting and not malicious but true good humour.

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. – Proverbs 17: 22

Here’s a thought for anyone who might be interested: Ever think about what Jesus was like when here as a man over 2000 years ago? I think He must have enjoyed making people laugh. (Laughter is healing, remember?) Do you think He would have known all the best ‘jokes’? There is no mention in the Bible of Him ever laughing, but would children be comfortable around Him if He were not one to smile and laugh? He was here to open the way out of religious trappings and into relationship with Father God. Would people be drawn to Him the way they were if He were ill-humoured? I think our God has an amazing sense of humour, we just have to look for it. 🙂

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings! 🙂

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How do you want to be remembered?

I’ve been thinking about memories and the impressions we make on others.

Family health issues, and being a part-time caregiver for as long as we can handle the stress that comes with it, has caused me to think about memory. As memory slips away from some people, I’ve been pondering about the impression we leave of ourselves on others’ memories.

I had a very discouraging day recently, and I was rather rude to a store clerk. It’s not the way I always am nor do I want to be thought of that way, so when I got home I called the shop and apologized to that lady. She didn’t ask for my attitude, nor did she deserve it. One bad day, one bad mood, is not how I want to be remembered.

So, what DO I want people thinking when I come to mind?

Am I patient, kind, pleasant to be around? Or am I moody, snappy, seeming to have a dark cloud hanging over my head?

Am I cheerful, helpful, loving? Or am I angry, irritable, sullen?

Do I handle disappointment with grace or do I let it take me into a sour mood?

What impression am I making as my path crosses someone else’s today?Are they glad of the encounter, or do they wish they had not met me? Did I make them feel blessed or did I leave them with an ugly hole in their heart?

Attitude is very important, and I have discovered that it really affects everything. I am working on mine.

How about you? Have you ever thought about the memories you are leaving of yourself? How do YOU want to be remembered?

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂

Book Review: Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore

Book: Magic Under Glass
Author: Jaclyn Dolamore
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Date: January 2010
Genre: Fantasy (paranormal)
Pages: 225, hard cover
Price: $16.99 US
My Rating: Intriguing, entertaining, hard to put down

I first learned of Magic Under Glass in a writer’s chat room where I ‘met’ the author. Enthusiasm for this book was high so I added it to my long list of “must reads.” I don’t regret it. Once I started reading this novel it didn’t take long to make my way through it. Why? I didn’t want to quit until reaching the end!

The story is about Nimira, a young dancer and singer who left her own country to make her fortune elsewhere. As is often the case, she fell on hard times instead, but eventually she is approached by a wealthy gentleman (who happens to be a sorcerer) who has better plans for her – an offer she is willing to chance. From that point the author swept me into a fantastical adventure of mystery and magic, murder and mayhem, but also love and loyalty and hope.

Nimira is hired to sing as the accompaniment to an automaton that is rumoured to be haunted and that plays music on a keyboard. What Nim discovers impacts her life and draws her into the power struggle between good and evil, fairies and men, hope and impossible love.

For the reader who enjoys paranormal and fantasy, Magic Under Glass isn’t overly involved and has a bizarre side to it that is quite inventive.

I enjoyed this novel, the first I’ve read of its kind, but – yes, there is a ‘but’ – it ends so abruptly I was taken aback. I was so into the story that I was expecting another chapter, at least. It left me asking, is there more? Is there another book to finish this? So, well done, Jaclyn Dolamore!

You can find Magic Under Glass listed on my BUY THE BOOK! page.

Thanks for reading, and … Creative Musings!  🙂