Aging Well – The Fountain of Youth, Part 5

/ Penny L Howe

Laughter

Yes, the 5th and final secret of Aging Well is Laughter. Another simple thing it would seem. Yet in a recent study by cardiologists at the University of Maryland, they concluded that laughter may have beneficial effects on the heart. Other studies have already been shown that laughter is in fact beneficial to every operating system in the body.

There are those who can speak of laughter better than I so I’ve gathered a few quotes from people you will find very knowledgeable on the subject of laughter.

A day without laughter is a day wasted –Charlie Chaplin

 Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand – Mark Twain

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the god – Albert Einstein

Through humor, you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it. Bill Cosby

Perhaps I know best why it is man alone who laughs; he alone suffers so deeply that he had to invent laughter. Friedrich Nietzsche

Laughter is the tonic, the relief, the surcease for pain – Charlie Chaplin

From the moment I picked your book up until I laid it down, I was convulsed with laughter. Someday I intend reading it. – Groucho Marx 

You can’t deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants. Stephen King 

Everybody laughs the same in every language because laughter is a universal connection – Yakov Smirnoff

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face. Victor Hugo

Laughter is inner jogging. Norman Cousins

Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effect – Arnold H. Glasow

 I think laughter may be a form of courage. As humans we sometimes stand tall and look into the sun and laugh, and I think we are never more brave than when we do that – Linda Ellerbee 

At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities – Jean Houston

She knew what all smart women knew: Laughter made you live better and longer – Gail Parent

If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans – Woody Allen

To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it! – Charlie Chaplin

First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win – Mahatma Gandhi

I once spent a year in Philadelphia, I think it was on a Sunday. W.C. Fields

A day without sunshine is like, you know, night – Steve Martin

And last but not least, by one of my favor songwriter/composers – George M. Cohan, Always leave them laughing when you say goodbye.

Laughter is the greatest gift we are given in life. For longevity I recommend huge doses every chance you get. All my best to all of you who follow – Laughter, truly the best medicine of all, Penny L Howe

59 thoughts on “Aging Well – The Fountain of Youth, Part 5”

  1. Pingback: Good Morning-Oct 6th 2012-Laughter | In Kara's World

    • Thanks Dory, I appreciate the drop by I know you’re a busy gal, right now, well probably every day but anyway it is appreciated, as are you my friend, thanks for the nice words! Penny 🙂 x

      Reply

    • Yes Jean definitely has viewed laughter with eyes wide open. She happens to be an awesome human being too, helping others to realize their creative potential in life. I like that one too! 🙂

      Reply

  6. LOL~~~ 🙂 just being silly — but figured I would make sure to get that extra laughter in for the day in celebration of your wonderful series! Yes – I laugh when I’m a lone even – if I can muster it up!! The dog helps – and so does the blog friends … I loved being silly with the girls when they were little — now they are a bit more intense but we still find a place for the sillies whenever we can. Thank you Penny — this was a lot of fun. Enjoyed the series theme a lot! xxoo Much Love dearest friend! Robyn

    Reply

    • Laughter is good, no it’s frigging great, especially the spontaneous kind that sneaks up on you. I am very glad that you enjoyed the series, I wasn’t sure if it would be a turn-off to people, you know having to learn something about health. I had fun writing them and remembered a few more bits to add, which you already do, and just so you know, I feel very lucky to have you as a friend, dear Robyn, Thank you so much! Penny

      Reply

      • Mutual lucky we are ~ 🙂 xo
        This was a hit I believe Penny — I say more cool series ahead for you —- can be like your very own magazine ~ love to learn – and be reminded of what I already know and may forget! Brava ! xo

        Reply

          • Do it!! Guarantee your stats will fly off the charts 🙂 Such an important topic and everyone will be super interested I am certain. Cannot envision a better series — so you are hired – I say go for it , Im sure it will be super interesting and you have much to offer. Just my humble opinion xo

            Reply

            • Well pooeey I already changed my comment to you thinking it was a rather silly idea. But I do value your opinion, a lot, so will think on it. Thanks again, I do appreciate you, xxxxxxx

              Reply

              • yes – do consider – maybe start with a ‘teaser’ and test-market the concept. Guess it may depend on your ‘demographic’ but this topic may have wide appeal ~ you do have to be brave — I was afraid of posting on the interlude between sun and sea 🙂 hee hee! xxoo Love to you Penny…

                Reply

    • It is true I do belong to a family of laughter. Sometimes we amuse ourselves so much it does become quite hilarious, but always so so fun, Wendy.Laughter – the sound that binds I think! Sending lots of love and laughter your way today my friend, Penny 🙂

      Reply

    • Oh Alice those are simply wonderful. Indeed, the many forms of laughter, How really cool. I’m laughing my friend, thank you so much. Sending you a big smile right back at you today! 🙂 Penny

      Reply

    • Hi Rosy, that about sums it up I think! Loving and Laughter. Two of the three big “L’s” for all of us. Living, Loving, and Laughing! Very very good things I think! Sending much warmth and affection your way this day my friend, and lots of laughter! Penny 🙂

      Reply

  11. I too agree that laughter has tremendous health benefits. I had a wonderful friend Barbara who passed away much too soon from a rare genetic disease who had a wonderful attitude and delightful sense of humor. She was a remarkable role model for a life truly lived. 🙂

    Reply

    • Thanks LuAnn. I think when it comes to laughter it is the elixir for almost anything that ails one. Besides it tickles my soul. 🙂 And children laughing – nothing beats that! Your friend sounds like she was one special lady, it is so wonderful to be blessed with friends like that even when (for reasons we’ll never understand) their lives are cut short! But what wonderful memories to cherish I think. The two of you have a happy day today, filled with lots and lots of laughter my friend sending this with great affection, Penny 🙂

      Reply

  12. There was a book I read in school for a holistic health class. The author’s name escapes me. He laughed his way out of a triple bypass and the Dr’s were amazed. Laughter can make a difference in your life! Nice series Penny!

    Reply

    • Thank you. I also loved the quotes but I think I spent hours reading them, there are so many great ones about laughter. Thats telling isn’t it! I so agree there are a few things we humans share universally, certainly laughter is one of them. Much happiness to you today my friend, Penny 🙂

      Reply

  15. Laughter is what we need the most of, but we have the least of. People who can make us laugh have a gift beyond all gifts as they can enable others to live longer.

    Your series has been fantastic Penny. Thank you for sharing it with us all

    Reply

    • Thank you Mondrak. I appreciate you and your appreciation 🙂 Has your day gone well for you today? I think laughter is the best thing ever, most especially a childs, Sending smiles your way my friend, Penny 🙂

      Reply

      • Good morning 🙂 Hope the hurricane doesn’t get too far up towards you. And I certainly hope it doesn’t stop some people from moving

        Laughter is the best, and some of the best is the sound coming from babies. I was in the supermarket on Saturday with my mother and sister, and we heard this baby laughing. Everybody who heard it started smiling. It truly is unbelievable.

        Reply

          • Just to let you know, I live in the south east of England, about the furthest from Scotland you can get. Although, my name is the Scottish version, my dad was born and raised in Glasgow and raised in Dundee, and my son’s name is medieval Scottish for Christopher. It would be really easy to take it that I was from there, and I do support both countries when it comes to any sports 🙂

            Reply

            • Alrighty then Mondrak. Don’t I feel well, ignorant, obviously you don’t, White cliffs of Dover (hello!!!!) thanks for correcting my statement, I guess my brain was out to lunch when I wrote that. Actually it’s this whole world view thing, I am adjusting my mental geographic imagery for the correction, lol, 🙂

              Reply

              • Don’t worry about it. When looking at a different country, it is very easy to get mixed up with it, especially if you don’t know that country. There are parts of America that I have no idea where they are in relation to other places. I have a friend who moved to Atlanta years ago – he actually moved there from New York a few days before 9/11. I don’t know if they are close or are the furthest they could be. I do know that Washington DC is near Canada (ish) and Florida is near Mexico (ish) lol. New York is East Coast and Seattle is West Coast, aaaaand that’s about it lol

                Reply

                • Yes it is true, the whole geography of everything, still I am a history buff and honestly just recently you and I were discussing the white cliffs of Dover and then those beautiful photographs you took and pointing out where you lived, so definitely a disconnect going on in my brain in the moment. But thanks for trying to make me feel better. It helps lol

                  Reply

    • Thanks Maggie, I love the quotes also. There were so many to choose from, it was very hard to pick, each one seemed so wise (or funny). Hope your day has been a good one for you my friend, Penny 🙂

      Reply

    • Thank you Stefan. Good afternoon. It is 8 in the morning here. Thank you for your compliments. I really enjoyed your new post, The Oasis looked so inviting to me. Penny 🙂

      Reply

        • Yes I do agree with you Stefan. With all of our great blogger friends it is so very difficult to not be able to more easily talk to one another. I do receive emails but I have been having difficulty with sending them back. My internet provider is giving me some problems right now. I hope to figure this out soon. In the meantime I will imagine myself in the beautiful Oasis. I am sure your other followers are too! 🙂

          Reply

              • thank you for our lunar oasis , oasis from these childhood name was our oasis of dreams . do you know Penny, I always wanted to have such an oasis oasis in the memory of dreams , dreams that I dreamed of as a boy .. Oasis where hidden from the eyes of curious love my sweet Quen Then me one day at the door of my dreams greet my princess , and now I love it even more now rules the roost my dreams and warms my soul. I must tell you that a lot of love that girl .

                Reply

  18. I love all your quotations!
    When I first told my Mum that I had met the man I was going to marry, she asked ‘Does he make you laugh?’ She, and you, are right about it’s importance in our lives and in our ageing well!

    Thank you for all these tips! 🙂

    Reply

Thank you for your thoughts!

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

Gravatar
WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. ( Log Out /  Change )

Cancel

Connecting to %s