I Like It When You Laugh

I love this. Thank you for the reminder. Ali, our kids are the same age (and not far away, up in Portland). Occasionally my 11 year will look and me and say "smile Mom" and do some silly routine. Sometimes I smile, other times I mumble a "you don't understand I have work and a masters program and...." whoa is me kind of line. I really need to change that. Especially when so much of their mood and attitude looks to serious old me for setting the tone, this is good to remember. Last weekend we accomplished a spontaneous beach trip and some fishing time and it did my heart such good to laugh and pretend I know how to reel in the salmon. Thanks again. I'm feeling a very kick a@! Kind of day coming on :)

What a lovely post. I am struggling with various things at the moment, so I needed a reminder to laugh and look for joy and fun.

Ok, I really needed this post today! Thank you, Ali! What a fabulous reminder. (even though the post itself brought tears to my eyes instead of laughter ;) :) ) I can see through your photos your heart is fully alive and at peace and I like it. Happy Thursday!

I so needed to read this today! I have been feeling this way for a while and it's nice to know others are thinking this too!

Wow...this post hit very close to home. My husband and I have talked about this very thing...the need to laugh more and have fun. I've always been the serious, responsible one and have a hard time "letting go" and just be in the moment. Our daughter is a Marine currently training in the Mojave Desert and the last several weeks have been particularly difficult for her. As a Mom, regardless of their age, we take on our children's struggles and hardships. I'm working hard to live with joy and thanksgiving while giving the struggles and hardships to God. Thanks for the reminder to laugh and have fun.

you made me cry this morning.... thank you. I needed this. Sometimes, reality is damn hard to swallow. A good thing is that we can change it. thanks again.

I'm in my 6th decade of life. One day my husband said, "You look years younger when you smile." That's a tremendous motive to keep doing it! (I notice the same thing about him.)

Interestingly, this concept has been on my mind a lot lately too. As you know, I am by nature a fairly serious being. But I must not forget to have fun. For me, that means more than just participating in fun activities. It involves actually letting my guard down and being uninhibited and enjoying the moment.

This post gave me goose bumps - thank you so much for sharing! I definatley need to have more spontanious in the moment fun. Love this story.

Last night I was reminded of the power of laughter. I have recently experienced a major loss. Last night I was with some good friends, eating good food, drinking good wine and crafting. And laughing. A lot. I'm still smiling from it. Thank you for the reminder.

Very very enlightening. Thanks for the nudge to be aware and reminding me that just being is also fun.

I find sometimes we get into a mode when we parent, especially when we are on the serious side, and those moments where we can just laugh together mean the most of all.

SO true... This post brought tears to my eyes.
Thank you for this Ali.

Like Jennifer above, this brought tears to my eyes. When did life get so heavy? Why is it like this? When did I lose the ability to balance my life?
My mission today is to laugh with my daughter. To smile at my husband and connect with those people I love so much.

Good reminder! And if we can find something to laugh about even the hardest times can be a little easier.

And yea, if he wants you to walk him to his classroom, do it as long as you can. Mine started requesting the "bubble of silence" towards the end of middle school. The "bubble of silence" is what my husband and I laughingly called his very polite request not to talk to him in sight of school.

This post caught my attention and held me there. Thanks for the reminder and the honesty of your words.

As I sit in my car with the tears streaming down my face I had
Your post pulled up on my phone and it made me feel so much better! I so needed that right now after a morning of all wrongs! Thank you!!

I've thought often of late, I used to be really, really fun. With financial burdens, I"m filled with worry and not much fun at all right now. Like you, I read a quote on Pinterest that helped a lot: "Remember to breathe, as many of our worries today will probably not be so important a year from now." By Satsuki Shibuya. Right now I'm remembering to breathe...tomorrow I will FIND a reason to smile and laugh. In truth, I have much to be grateful for. Thanks for the gentle reminder.

Wonderful sharing, Ali. I try to smile all the time and yes, for the people I love and who loves me - my family :)

life is complicated enough and at times i take things too seriously and forget those simple aspects of life that makes me happy. and actually, this post - made me smile :) so thanks!

Such a beautiful reflection! My fiance often says, "I love your smile." - it's my reminder to enjoy life, because even with the challenges, life is good. =)