“A wonderful thing about true laughter is that it just destroys any kind of system of dividing people.” John Cleese

The world is filled with negative thinking. How can we overcome this dastardly perception? With the invention of social media, people’s opinions often flood the pages and many times those thoughts will provoke anger, discontent and downright rage. Friends are lost over comments they make. Those of us who blog must be careful not to offend anyone with our opinions. Even as a writer today, our words have strength to sway opinions, build anxiety and counteract the good things in life.

During a time of political rhetoric – as wars rage around us – as inhumanity seems to be at an all time high, we are turning into angry, dissatisfied and negative people. There is a remedy for this. Who can resist the sound of a child’s laughter? Who can walk away from a smile or turn the other cheek when our cheek is fully bruised? When we spread negative thoughts, slander and downright lies, we are doing no one any favors. Laughter has always been a great way to turn a frown upside down and our outlook will almost always determine the outcome. So, do we go around with a grin on our face? Do we laugh in the face of sadness? We may be considered cockeyed optimists or even a little crazy, but by putting on that happy demeanor we can change opinions, raise spirits and even bring some joy to an unhappy person. Laughter can even cause a chemical reaction within the body that lifts the spirits.

I love seeing beautiful photographs of nature, flowers, beautiful scenery. I enjoy reading jokes and laughing at them. I get joy from reading stories about courage and faith. When we’re being fed things that stir up our anger, we are going to turn into unhappy people. Maybe we should return to filling those social sites with joyful images instead of insulting or inciteful thoughts. God wants us to turn the other cheek. He wants us to put a positive slant on things. He loves it when we love each other. Maybe the golden rule is something we all need to put into action again.

“Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”