Laughter Con't

Hello!

I think we will talk about laughter a little more. I was trying to think of some jokes but I can never remember them.

Anyway, what does it mean that laughter opens doors? What doors? Well I think of a door as a means to enter somewhere. In this case I would think it would be a way to enter into relationship. The key to all we do is in building relationship with the youth we serve. So laughter is a way to enter into relationship. Laughing together builds community and rapport. It builds bonds. It puts you on the same page, the same side.

Making fun of ourselves and being willing to look foolish is one method that works too. Dancing around in the shelter to the kid's rap music makes them laugh and we can laugh at ourselves. When my office was there, I would ask the youth to teach me the latest dance...like that superman thing...now THAT is good for a laugh....me trying to learn that.

One thing about our kids is that many of them have had to grow up too fast. Be too serious and too adult too early. It is great to encourage them to have fun and laugh. Games that encourage this are great too. We will do some of them in the training this month.

I like to get people who are stern and rude to laugh if possible. It opens a door. I think the door opens to a person's joyful self...their real self that is hidden by all the false fronts people put on to look okay.

Teaching someone that it is okay to laugh...that is a gift.

More tomorrow....

LA