Having Fun Can Save Your Life by John Cali

Anatomy of an Illness, a 1979 New York Times best-selling book, tells the inspiring story of Norman Cousins’ full recovery from a crippling disease, simply by having fun.

Those of you who’ve been around as long as I have probably remember Norman Cousins, editor of the Saturday Review. Cousins and the magazine are long gone, but his story is unforgettable. He used the power of laughter and comedy to cure himself of a life-threatening disease. In other words, by having fun.

Here’s a short excerpt from A Laughing Matter, an article we wrote a few years ago:

“As anyone who’s raised a child or been around children knows, kids laugh a lot. Far more than adults. A statistic I saw recently said adults laugh an average of 15 times a day. Children laugh 400 times a day. That’s not a typo — kids laugh four hundred times a day! Life is still fun for them.”

But what about us, the adults of the world? Many of us have lost our childlike ability to have fun and to laugh.

Here’s Spirit.

Your life is supposed to be fun. If life is not fun, if you rarely laugh, if you cannot find humor in ordinary or even challenging circumstances, you’ve forgotten who you are.

We realize many of you, especially in your modern world, are facing daunting challenges. But when you remember who you are and why you came to this incarnation, you’ll find your challenges less daunting.

You chose the circumstances of your birth before you came in. Most of you know that. Your souls had an “agenda,” if you will. They decided on your parents, siblings, other family, your body, your geography, etc.

Even if you now wish your birth circumstances could have been different, know those circumstances were absolutely perfect for you. Why? Because they have allowed you to grow in ways you never would have otherwise.

This life you’re living is perfect for you. So instead of wishing things were different, simply accept that all is well.

We are not saying you should just accept everything as it is. Make changes whenever and wherever you feel guided to. For example, because you were born to poor parents does not mean you cannot have great abundance as adults. If that’s what you want, then seek it.

The “bottom line” here is this lifetime is just right for you, at the human and spiritual levels. As you, the human, grow, so too does your soul or spirit. Your life, “dead” or “alive,” is a never-ending process of growth, physically and nonphysically.

So you might as well have some fun along the way. Do whatever it takes to make yourself feel good. If it feels good, then it is good for you.

Learn to be like little children again. Learn to laugh and play and have fun. It’s never too late to become childlike again.

We suggest you set aside some time every day just to laugh and have fun. Do whatever it takes — watch a funny movie, read a comedy, be with people who laugh a lot. You get the idea.

The benefits of just that short time every day will be immense. Not only will you feel better, but your body will be healthier, your relationships will be healthier. Having fun can even save your life, as it did with Norman Cousins.

But you don’t need to wait till you have a serious illness to start having fun. Do it now. Find the joy in all your experiences. It’s always there, but you have to look for it.

Have fun. Laugh. Play. Life is too important to take it so seriously. It’s not serious. All is well.

*********************

Is your life fun? How many times a day do you laugh just for the sheer joy of it? Please comment below.

4 Responses

  1. George

    I especially liked this week’s newsletter, John. The happiness article and the video were a good start. It was good to be reminded of Norman Cousins. I communicated with him when I was executive director of the US World Federalists and we were fighting against the war in Vietnam. I did need to be reminded of what a great guy I am!

    • John Cali

      You are indeed a great guy, George. I thought that from the very first time we met, all those many years ago.

  2. Lisa

    Hello John and Spirit

    This article like all your articles make so much sense!! Most of my life,I had wished my life,parents were different,Because of the abuse i endured.

    It wasn’t until I read your articles,that I realized we DO chose our parents!! And for years,I resented,had a lot of anger,etc.. toward them,although as an adult,I thought I had forgiven them many times…I still had the resentment feeling when I would think of my childhood days?

    I could not understand why? Until recently…I went into deep meditation and called in ArchAngel Uriel, and asked to help me release these old anger,resentment,even negative feelings,all that do not serve me anymore, and for forgiving them and myself!! This was late one night.

    The next day, I started crying over the least little things and the tears kept flowing for 14 hours!! I thought why am I crying so much?? Then I remembered my mediatation and realized I was releasing all of the old hurt feelings,etc…

    The next day,I felt wonderful!!! I even put myself to the test and thought of my Father…Amazingly I felt nothing!! No hurt,anger,resentment,etc… It worked!!! And I felt so much lighter and better,although both my Father and Step-Mother have passed on now,I do feel relief!!

    I have always heard the saying that “Laughter is good for the Soul” and it truely is!! I am home most of the days alone with my 2 dogs and Horse,I play with them,Laugh,and most of all,I laugh at myself alot now on silly things,and it does work!!

    Thank you John and Spirit for all that you do to help us and enlighten us,and to not take life so hard as we so often do.

    Love you both!! Big Hugs and Blessings!!
    Lisa

    • John Cali

      Thanks so much, Lisa, for sharing this beautiful story. You’re a bright shining example of what is possible. I know so many people floundering around in darkness because they won’t give up their resentment. Perhaps a few of them may read your comments and turn their lives around.

      God bless you, my dear!

      Love & hugs,
      John

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.