Calm in the Chaos - Tips for a Better Life
Go Ahead and Laugh!
by Jamie Spannhake
December 13, 2020
I remember a funny moment from over 20 years ago. I was on the subway platform in NYC waiting for my train to take me to law school.
A man approached me and said, "Has anyone ever told you that you look like Carrie-Anne Moss from The Matrix?"
"No," I said, quite flattered. "Thank you," I continued, "that's a really nice compliment. She's so beautiful."
He immediately responded, "Well, you don't look THAT much like her!" And walked away.
I was a bit shocked and disappointed, but also: it was funny.
When I coach people and teach webinars, I often advise to try to find the humor in the present, even when not-so-funny things happen. Oftentimes those things are funny later. Why not go ahead and laugh about them now? It's not always easy, but it makes life easier.
Of course, there are times when things just aren't funny. For me, one of those times was when I was getting divorced about 3 years ago. When a marriage falls apart, the process of divorce is heavy and serious and not-at-all funny. But there were still things to laugh about.
While we were divorcing, I was planning a family vacation to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios. We had promised our daughter we would take this family trip the following spring before we decided to divorce, and I didn’t want her to miss out on it just because her parents couldn’t stay married anymore.
I focused on how ridiculous it was that we would be spending all day, every day for a full week together, just a few short months after our divorce would be finalized!
(And, yes, we did actually go on that trip!)
Whatever your circumstances, remember the healing effect of laughter.
Want more?
I coach busy professionals so they can achieve more while doing less; so they can create the lives they truly want, lives that include time and space to work the way they want, to spend time with their kids, to laugh with friends, and to exercise every day: Time and space to do all the things I was told I couldn’t do as a successful lawyer.My work with clients is based upon the principles in my book, The Lawyer, the Lion, & the Laundry: Three Hours to Finding Your Calm in the Chaos, available at www.JamieSpannhake.com.
Learn more about how I can help you, and apply for my coaching program here.
0 comments