I found it a little bit more difficult to laugh in the park this morning, and was a bit more self-conscious. That was my hang-up. I really tried to think and laugh at the same time. It’s almost impossible to do and tiring.
We came up with three new laughter games — progressive decibel laughter, swimming strokes laughter, and tight rope laughter.
Jon and I are practicing, I think, for the time when people actually do show up to laugh with us. We’ll seem to know what we’re doing. We certainly helped a few passers-by laugh this morning.
Mainly, the consistency of making a commitment to laugh together every day – in a public place – will make all the difference in our relationship and perspectives as we stick to it.
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From Jon:
Laughing Day Two – June 30, 2009
I felt little resistance today to arriving at the park, in fact was eager. I have no attachment at this point with any number of participants. Actually it is slightly less intimidating to just laugh with Leigh, as we are comfortable and familiar; the challenges will come as new people are added.
Leigh created a couple new games today (see above). I find myself more drawn to the motions that seem to open body postures. The Archer, Tiny Measure and the Hands over Head, all seem to be freeing. I am however more comfortable in closing in, Sneezing, Balloon Blowing and Colapsing in Laughter all fold inward and feel safer somehow.
Meditation today was grand. The laughing section was slightly more forced, and I was tired…less inclined to push than yesterday. However, I went in deeply and quickly during the silent meditation. My connection to earth, with grass and sun was very strong and very tuned to a natural setting. The bustle of the waking downtown area was a grand contrast. I felt so grateful that I was able to not shut it out, but in fact, embrace the external as a soundtrack to my internal quiet.
July 1, 2009 at 9:10 pm
This is beautiful – what you are doing, and how you are sharing.
One suggestion: when people get close/stand still and look curious (and they will, eventually) – we’ll call them an “outsider”- when you invite them to join you, say something like this: “We would LOVE to have you join us.”
We used to say, “You are welcome to join us” or “You can join us if you want, it’s free”, etc. – but we had much less participation But when we (whoever was The Inviter) took the personal “risk” to assert they would LOVE to have the “outsider” join us – that it would be a pleasure for the INVITER (not just for the “outsider”) – that seems to work better.
Best wishes, and “Hang In There”,
Jeffrey