Laughter is the best medicine!

Laughter is truly the best medicine!  It releases tension. It gives a different perspective on life. It diverts the body from pain. It gives a person energy.

I know, you're probably thinking, "What's so funny about cancer?"  There's nothing funny about this confusing disease, but it healps the healing process to include some laughter in your life.

Here's one thing that helps me, a three-time breast cancer survivor. There are times when I become a bit agitated at night, and it can be difficult for me to fall asleep. My #1 rule is: DO NOT WATCH THE NEWS! Instead I replace that 30 minutes of horror with something light.  I watch reruns of some of my favorite comedies, and after an hour (sometimes less) my blues are washed away.

I also pay attention to life's funny moments, and jot them down in a Laughter Journal. Some days I share my laughter on Facebook, and when I receive responses from my friends, it sure give me a "natural high." What funny moments can you focus on? If you have children or grandkids, you must have some fun stories. Pets are natural born comedians. Or how about this: try people watching at the shopping mall. You're guaranteed to get a few chuckles. Before you kow it, you'll have enough material for a stand-up show on Comedy Central.

I prefer sharing stories about my BFF, Rocky Balboa, my feisty chihuahua. One morning after I showeredd I began dressing and could not find my mastectomy insert.  Now, it's not just any insert; it's made from organic lamb's wool, and it feels very soothing to the skin.  After several minutes of retracing my steps to the bathroom, I finally found the culprit who had "stolen" my insert.  It was Rocky Balboa. He was napping on the smooth wool. When I attempted to remove the insert from his bed, he growled and showed his sharp teeth. Luckily, the inserts come in pairs, so I decided to let him have one.

Remember that cancer doesn't have to be the end.  It can be the beginning of a new chapter in your life.