Monday, April 10, 2006

Summer May Yet Come

Someone told me once that pretending to laugh has the same affect on your brain as actually really laughing. I test this theory out in the car.

“ha”

A half hearted attempt by all accounts. No effect.

“ha ha”

Still miserable. Grey clouds, grey hills in distance, emptiness of existence.

“Hahaha!”

Hey – I think something happened. Yes, definitely a little less gloomy.

Some green grass appears.

My next attempt at fake laughter starts me really laughing. Instead of seeing a gloomy and cold day there is a stoic and mysterious day before my eyes.

Problem is though; I’d expected the experiment to fail. I was rather enjoying being in the miserable / emptiness paradigm. I had to change the CD I was listening to. I had to go to the pool instead of catching up on sleep.

Worst of all I was starting to think about the upside. The upside I tell you! And then I realised I was wrong about some things, and I hate being wrong.

So, if you’re feeling a little blue, take my advice – steer clear of laughter. Focus on the pot of dirt at the end of the rainbow.

It’s just easier.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic Matthew. I love your writing style and I could imagine you driving along testing out the theory. The power to choose to see the bright side of things is something that can elude many of us. Thanks for drawing our attention to it.
Best wishes,
Marica