The only thing left to do is laugh; for no good reason.
20 Comments
Donna on May 29, 2020 at 3:34 PM
No good reason?…No reason whatsoever! Laughter is the best and most efficient way to shift energy that I have ever experienced. I replay things in my head that make me laugh all the time! Farting is still hilarious. Trying out new exercises for the first time and having them go awry is hysterical.
I woke up in the middle of the night the other night to go to the bathroom without turning on the lights and I walked into a wall. That was funny! I'll have to replay that in my head when I begin to take life seriously. Why do I bother taking a minute of life seriously when I could die at this very moment? What a joke! Lol
skhoury on May 26, 2020 at 4:23 PM
yes…I found myself chuckling today, for “no good reason.” Aaaah, the absurdity of “control.” Nothing I can do, but notice, sense, feel.
Keshav Howe on May 26, 2020 at 3:15 PM
Thank you for opening to my invitation to "check it out," Missy!
Life is perpetually parked in neutral, without a personal point of view. So, me gathering more information about what needs no explanation is the definition of wasting my time…
missy on May 26, 2020 at 11:56 AM
Thank you Deb for sharing that incident it brought me there with you. I’ve been there but not recently, I feel you… I like the reminder on the phone also… Presence tool for now, possibly may just Go Off unconditionally when needed… a new norm… reread Keshav’s parked in Neutral and that brings me back here too… I might put red tape next to neutral in my car for a reminder… I’ve been opening to early Morning birding walks, more about taking it in as a whole then needing to know what Exactly it is… thank you all, Love.
Diane on May 25, 2020 at 8:14 AM
Hahaha! Cheep cheep cheep.
Keshav Howe on May 24, 2020 at 2:12 PM
When I asked my father how he was feeling, one of his favorite replies was: "Alright, although I'm a little disturbed by the birds constantly reminding me of how cheap I am." Thank you Dad; on this Memorial Day weekend!
Keshav Howe on May 24, 2020 at 11:27 AM
Terrific post Deb.
1. Anger's mantra seems to be "this should not be happening," which is a real wake up call, because: it is!
2. It takes an incredible amount of courage to make room for peace within me, particularly when "this should not be happening" appears. For me, it has been a real struggle to maintain my equanimity when I have asked someone to be reasonable, and please turn down the volume, and they won't. Like you, I have to remind myself that every interaction is an opportunity for service. And, that freedom does not mean any of us can do whatever we want.
I love your mention of boundaries. Yes, this is the time to say no to ignorance, regardless of any perceived ramifications. And, then to refocus attention on making room for peace in this moment of tension. If I can somehow let go of my attachment to my war (this should not be happening), than the peace that I embrace is the antidote to the shared spell of discontent.
3. Rather than imposing my will on the content of the moment, it is wise to open my heart to life in in the moment – unconditionally. Just Watching is a powerful act of service to myself. I ask myself, "how much of what is being observed do I want to change or gather more information about, and how much can I openly embrace and enjoy?!" Check it out.
Diane on May 24, 2020 at 4:56 AM
Deb. That’s a great insight about distractions. As I visited that thought I realized that those distractions for me seem to simply be life and maybe just my choices in the moment. And it’s how I choose to experience them-victim or student ! Loved the post
skhoury on May 23, 2020 at 6:11 PM
Thx for the shares…now I can write in this one and not the shamanic post site. It’s tricky.
I notice I am much more calm since taking Keshav’s suggestions to relax, stop fighting fear…to see what it wants to let me know. It has been a good shift. Relaxing into what arises. And “letting life come to me” as you say Keshav. Thx for that. I have been able to do ordinary tasks the past few days.
Deb F on May 22, 2020 at 3:18 PM
1. I'm wondering if part of the anger and lashing out that we're seeing is due to a lack of distractions that people in our society are used to, now that they are more limited in what they can do. I feel for extroverts who are suffering now from lack of in-person interaction, but also for those who have not taken a moment to examine whether they like their lives or not, and just kept moving. Now that you can't move around as much.
2. The other day I got up the courage to ask a guy who was working on the house across from me if he could please turn the music down that was blaring in his truck as he worked. He got very angry, said no, he wouldn't do that, and how dare I ask him to, why was I worried about THAT, etc. etc. He was yelling, walking around his truck, screaming at me. It was so scary. I had waited to ask him to do that, taking responsibility for my own sensitivities to noise, so I didn't ask him until the second time he came back, and after about 30 more minutes of this distracting, loud music. I could hear it from inside my home, and at times he was on the other side of the house, not even sure if he could hear it? I asked him directly instead of calling the owners of the park. I was scared and shaking to feel that threatened in my own yard, living alone here. I called the owners. He yelled at me about calling them. They told him he cannot work for them if he talks to anyone like that, and to keep his music off in his truck. It activated trauma for me from a long, long time ago, so I took a few days to deal with my own activation, and now I feel much better. In the heat of the moment I explained to him why it was bothering me, I'm trying to work inside, etc. I did the best I could to talk and not freeze, but there was no coming back from his tirade. I acknowledged to the owners that everyone is on edge, and I must've just sparked him, and that it was not okay. Boundary setting week, it seems. Trying to be compassionate to my needs as well as community needs.
3. One thing I did last year to check in w myself more often and drop the mind games was to set a reminder in my phone that goes off every day, and it says "Just watching. Om mane padme hum." I modeled it after hearing about Thich Nhat Hanh's bell that goes off every 15 minutes at the retreats and monasteries to invite mindfulness. It helps.
Keshav Howe on May 18, 2020 at 7:41 AM
Thank you for your feedback and focus Diane. I see you!
I have made the choice to keep the site's security on strict settings. I am tired of dealing with what can seem like a constant barrage of security breaches. It was my decision to deal with security issues by maintaining secure settings.
For me, the most stable browser to maneuver through the site is Firefox, and the changes to the content, work, and look best – there. There are times when I have to clear the cache on my browser a few times and then refresh the page I am on; just to get onto my own site.
As you also pointed out last month, you wear a mask in public first and foremost for the safety of others, which is an ongoing act of service. I feel the same way regarding this "Community Support" blog, and it's safety and security. It can be challenging to deal with the viral ignorance of hackers at the expense of the ease to get into the community support blog.
I clear out my cache regularly, and that can require a good deal effort on my part. I only access the site using Firefox, which for me does a good job dealing with updates to the WordPress content management system driving the content.
I am doing the best I can. Thank you all for your ongoing support and patience.
Please email me at keshav@keshavhowe.com if you have any suggestions regarding this subject.
Diane on May 18, 2020 at 4:22 AM
Just an FYI. When having difficulty signing into the community share I go to my browser and clear the cache. Sometimes I have to do it a few times. Also if that doesn’t work especially on my phone I have to then refresh the page. If I do that a few times eventually I can log in.
Deb on May 17, 2020 at 9:24 PM
I get angry and frustrated at so many things each day, especially lies being told that will hurt people. Then it gets so bad, so ridiculous, I can’t believe that is the world, and I laugh. A lot. Because I can’t control or fix any of it, I can only survive physically, emotionally, and psychologically, and laughter is my best medicine.
venusrising on May 17, 2020 at 9:01 PM
hello, all, i will respond to Sandy’s comment from the shamanic group share. i couldn’t get on there . The same here i dont post because i can hardly ever get on . i have to keep logging in too…..i guess i should just laugh, but you cant hear me b/c im not here !!!!! lololololol
missy on May 17, 2020 at 4:45 AM
I love it Joe, our own Blooper reel – perfect!! .. I’m often caught with some kinda of liquid reminding me to slow down as it gets knocked over and spills all over the place, then I find a better way of doing it! In the studio I was using small plastic cups for paint water and it tipped over down the back of the table, into some old Community art papers I store there.. Welp I laughed as I squeezed myself under the table to get them, spread them out, and knew I needed a bigger plastic container! Same day my coffee tipped over right after I made it. I use to get mad and try to blame someone when I was home, but now it’s just My own doing… Namaste…
Diane on May 16, 2020 at 12:05 PM
Just learned that “Joe vs The Volcano” is free on Xfinity Demand now so decided to watch it. I think it is the antidote for COVID Fear that I need right now. It will dissipate the “brain cloud” I have been experiencing lately with the Covid Fear.
Betty on May 10, 2020 at 10:09 AM
When I was a child I exercised my right to be silly with my friends. We could egg each other on to laugh over seemingly nothing. When I worked in an office one of us would say something, someone would respond with a silly response and and we would be off and running, laughing until we were gasping for air. It was a great stress reliever. Eventually someone would along with the observation that we were having way too much fun. It does seem to put the focus on now and entering on the delight of the unknown or unexpected. To be able to spontaneously laugh and have fun for no good reason is absolutely delightful.
Betty on May 10, 2020 at 10:00 AM
I second that emotion,Joe!
sasanijjs on May 9, 2020 at 2:22 PM
I love to watch blooper reels of any show or movie. The genuine in the moment laughter is incredibly contagious. I need to continue to embrace and laugh at my own blooper reel. The invitation is to not take myself so seriously, and open to life’s natural joy.
Diane on May 9, 2020 at 8:47 AM
Laughed out loud when I read this quote ! Thank you!
No good reason?…No reason whatsoever! Laughter is the best and most efficient way to shift energy that I have ever experienced. I replay things in my head that make me laugh all the time! Farting is still hilarious. Trying out new exercises for the first time and having them go awry is hysterical.
I woke up in the middle of the night the other night to go to the bathroom without turning on the lights and I walked into a wall. That was funny! I'll have to replay that in my head when I begin to take life seriously. Why do I bother taking a minute of life seriously when I could die at this very moment? What a joke! Lol
yes…I found myself chuckling today, for “no good reason.” Aaaah, the absurdity of “control.” Nothing I can do, but notice, sense, feel.
Thank you Deb for sharing that incident it brought me there with you. I’ve been there but not recently, I feel you… I like the reminder on the phone also… Presence tool for now, possibly may just Go Off unconditionally when needed… a new norm… reread Keshav’s parked in Neutral and that brings me back here too… I might put red tape next to neutral in my car for a reminder… I’ve been opening to early Morning birding walks, more about taking it in as a whole then needing to know what Exactly it is… thank you all, Love.
Hahaha! Cheep cheep cheep.
When I asked my father how he was feeling, one of his favorite replies was: "Alright, although I'm a little disturbed by the birds constantly reminding me of how cheap I am." Thank you Dad; on this Memorial Day weekend!
Deb. That’s a great insight about distractions. As I visited that thought I realized that those distractions for me seem to simply be life and maybe just my choices in the moment. And it’s how I choose to experience them-victim or student ! Loved the post
Thx for the shares…now I can write in this one and not the shamanic post site. It’s tricky.
I notice I am much more calm since taking Keshav’s suggestions to relax, stop fighting fear…to see what it wants to let me know. It has been a good shift. Relaxing into what arises. And “letting life come to me” as you say Keshav.
Thx for that. I have been able to do ordinary tasks the past few days.
1. I'm wondering if part of the anger and lashing out that we're seeing is due to a lack of distractions that people in our society are used to, now that they are more limited in what they can do. I feel for extroverts who are suffering now from lack of in-person interaction, but also for those who have not taken a moment to examine whether they like their lives or not, and just kept moving. Now that you can't move around as much.
2. The other day I got up the courage to ask a guy who was working on the house across from me if he could please turn the music down that was blaring in his truck as he worked. He got very angry, said no, he wouldn't do that, and how dare I ask him to, why was I worried about THAT, etc. etc. He was yelling, walking around his truck, screaming at me. It was so scary. I had waited to ask him to do that, taking responsibility for my own sensitivities to noise, so I didn't ask him until the second time he came back, and after about 30 more minutes of this distracting, loud music. I could hear it from inside my home, and at times he was on the other side of the house, not even sure if he could hear it? I asked him directly instead of calling the owners of the park. I was scared and shaking to feel that threatened in my own yard, living alone here. I called the owners. He yelled at me about calling them. They told him he cannot work for them if he talks to anyone like that, and to keep his music off in his truck. It activated trauma for me from a long, long time ago, so I took a few days to deal with my own activation, and now I feel much better. In the heat of the moment I explained to him why it was bothering me, I'm trying to work inside, etc. I did the best I could to talk and not freeze, but there was no coming back from his tirade. I acknowledged to the owners that everyone is on edge, and I must've just sparked him, and that it was not okay. Boundary setting week, it seems. Trying to be compassionate to my needs as well as community needs.
3. One thing I did last year to check in w myself more often and drop the mind games was to set a reminder in my phone that goes off every day, and it says "Just watching. Om mane padme hum." I modeled it after hearing about Thich Nhat Hanh's bell that goes off every 15 minutes at the retreats and monasteries to invite mindfulness. It helps.
Just an FYI. When having difficulty signing into the community share I go to my browser and clear the cache. Sometimes I have to do it a few times. Also if that doesn’t work especially on my phone I have to then refresh the page. If I do that a few times eventually I can log in.
I get angry and frustrated at so many things each day, especially lies being told that will hurt people. Then it gets so bad, so ridiculous, I can’t believe that is the world, and I laugh. A lot. Because I can’t control or fix any of it, I can only survive physically, emotionally, and psychologically, and laughter is my best medicine.
hello, all, i will respond to Sandy’s comment from the shamanic group share. i couldn’t get on there . The same here i dont post because i can hardly ever get on . i have to keep logging in too…..i guess i should just laugh, but you cant hear me b/c im not here !!!!! lololololol
I love it Joe, our own Blooper reel – perfect!! .. I’m often caught with some kinda of liquid reminding me to slow down as it gets knocked over and spills all over the place, then I find a better way of doing it! In the studio I was using small plastic cups for paint water and it tipped over down the back of the table, into some old Community art papers I store there.. Welp I laughed as I squeezed myself under the table to get them, spread them out, and knew I needed a bigger plastic container! Same day my coffee tipped over right after I made it. I use to get mad and try to blame someone when I was home, but now it’s just My own doing… Namaste…
Just learned that “Joe vs The Volcano” is free on Xfinity Demand now so decided to watch it. I think it is the antidote for COVID Fear that I need right now. It will dissipate the “brain cloud” I have been experiencing lately with the Covid Fear.
When I was a child I exercised my right to be silly with my friends. We could egg each other on to laugh over seemingly nothing. When I worked in an office one of us would say something, someone would respond with a silly response and and we would be off and running, laughing until we were gasping for air. It was a great stress reliever. Eventually someone would along with the observation that we were having way too much fun. It does seem to put the focus on now and entering on the delight of the unknown or unexpected. To be able to spontaneously laugh and have fun for no good reason is absolutely delightful.
I second that emotion,Joe!
I love to watch blooper reels of any show or movie. The genuine in the moment laughter is incredibly contagious. I need to continue to embrace and laugh at my own blooper reel. The invitation is to not take myself so seriously, and open to life’s natural joy.
Laughed out loud when I read this quote ! Thank you!