I am trying to find a funny moment in life but I am feeling stuck. Who am I and why am I not laughing? More importantly, are you? And what does a lack of laughter means in our lives?

Who Am I? 

I am a deep thinker and I like to make the most out of my life. As I am contemplating on how I should share my story for an upcoming homework project, I am trying to find a moment in life that was humorous. Funny. Hilarious but I am feeling stumped. And stuck.  

There had to be a time that I laughed my head off (figuratively of course). As I racked my brains (once again figuratively), I am turning to wonder.

It is not because I don’t take the moment to enjoy life. I do.

It is not because I don’t laugh because I do.

I would like to think I am a positive person but why can’t I find a funny story or moment? Am I taking life too seriously? I mean, it’s not like any of us will make it out of here alive, right?

Like Father, Like Daughter.

Perhaps I am like my father. He is always so serious about life and about doing the right things. It was the way he was brought up as a former Buddhist monk and teacher. 

Like him, I am always trying to do the right thing. To be a good mom, a daughter, an employee, and help others. It’s something I am super proud of but I wonder if that is what has kept laughter from my life? 

Why Laugh At Life? 

So why should we laugh at life? Or find moments to laugh in it? It’s a good question. Perhaps you don’t think about it because it lives in your life. Or perhaps you are like me and you just don’t have enough of it. Maybe the pandemic did more damage than we thought. Not only has it killed hundreds of thousands, it has also robbed us of our laughter because we have been forced into survival mode. 

Whatever the reason, one thing’s for sure, we need more laughter and light in our lives. 

“A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs. It’s jolted by every pebble on the road.”

Henry Ward Beecher

I sure don’t want this body of mine to be jolted by every pebble on the road. I shall fall apart before the journey of life even hits half way!

Seriously though, too much seriousness in life is like an anchor that weighs down our souls. That is how I feel. Tired and worn down by the responsibilities and demands of life. 

After some deep thinking and reflecting, I finally found a moment. 

A Silly Moment

It happened over a decade ago or fifteen years to be exact.  Chheang, one of my best friends at the time and I were up one night. We had been chatting all night on the internet and couldn’t sleep. So I had this bright idea that we could try to catch the sunrise at Semaphore Beach. Off we drove towards the beach, moments before the sun was set to rise. 

We parked and then ran across the jetty, trying to reach the end of it so we can be close to the sun. Slightly out of breath but excited, we rested our arms on the jetty barrier and looked across the ocean. And waited. And waited. the sky started to became lighter. But there was no round ball of a sun rising above the water. Puzzled, we turned around and looked towards land. And there behold, was the sun. A ball of bright orange ball light was above the Adelaide hills.

Surprised, Chheang and I looked at each other and we both burst into fits of laughter, laughing until our belly ached and our eyes teared. Perhaps it was lack of sleep but we had no idea of where East or West was and how that mattered in relation to the sun. Before you judge, we did take classes about the solar system but that apparently went in from one ear and out another. 

A day without laughter is a day wasted.

Charlie Chaplin

Final Words

As I remember this moment, I feel this sense of silliness, of embarrassment but also pure happiness. It didn’t matter that we got it wrong or that sun was in the opposite direction. It mattered that we drove out there to catch a glimpse of the sun and appreciated the day. In our wrongness, we found laughter and love, a moment both of us will remember despite the distance between us. And which way the sun raises. 

The fact that moment was 15 years ago, means that I need more laughter and humor in my life. So instead of just trying to survive life, I am going to try and celebrate and laugh at life. Laugh more and worry less. You should too. Cheers to more funny and happy moments and posts. 

Do you have a silly or funny moment you would like to share?