Laughter – Episode 121

When you came to your first meeting, were people laughing? How did that make you feel? How do you use laughter in your recovery today?

  • When (under what circumstances) did you laugh before program?
  • When and how did you laugh as a child?
  • How did that change as you grew older?
  • How did that change as you were affected by alcoholism/addiction?
  • Could you laugh at yourself then? … about your pain? … about your foibles and shortcomings?
  • How did you feel when you first heard laughter in an Al-Anon meeting?
  • How has recovery changed the way you laugh? Why you laugh?
  • Can you laugh about your pain? … about your shortcomings?
  • How do you see laughter as a healing force?
  • What have you learned about laughter in recovery?

Upcoming topics include Al-Anon dreams, and imperfection. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecoveryshow.com with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the show

Smokey Robinson and the Miracles: Tears of a Clown

Jason Mraz: What Mama Say

Nat King Cole: Smile

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UN8oLGBNXpE

Links

Zen Pencils comic about the stone cutter quote from Jacob Riis.

The Gifts of Imperfection

2 comments on “Laughter – Episode 121

  1. Eric B says:

    Hey Spencer,

    Forgot to mention in our podcast on Laughter one of my favorite items in what some call “The Al-Anon Promises” from page 269 I believe in the book From Survival to Recovery, “We Will Laugh More”… what follows is also for me always worth another read and a share here if you like;

    “Fear will be replaced by faith, and gratitude will come naturally as we realize that our Higher Power is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

    Can we really grow to such proportions? Only if we accept life as a continuing process of maturation and evolution toward wholeness.

    Then we suddenly begin to notice these gifts appearing. We see them in those who walk beside us.

    Sometimes slowly or haltingly, occasionally in great bursts of brilliance, those who work the Steps change and grow toward light, toward health, and toward their Higher Power. Watching others, we realize this is also possible for us.

    Will we ever arrive? Feel joyful all the time? Have no cruelty, tragedy, or injustice to face? Probably not, but we will acquire growing acceptance of our human fallibility, as well as greater love and tolerance for each other.

    Self-pity, resentment, martyrdom, rage, and depression will fade into memory.

    Community rather than loneliness will define our lives. We will know that we belong, we are welcome, we have something to contribute—and that is enough.”

    Good stuff that laughter. Worth the effort to get it back.

    Thanks again,

    Eric B

  2. Bonnie M says:

    I listen to the podcast often, several times a week most weeks. I enjoyed the podcast on Laughter. Laughter is good like a medicine. Life before recovery made it hard to laugh when I so often found myself feeling sorry for myself. I have learned through the program that I can choose joy for my life regardless of whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not. I have grown so much through the program and love life. I would love to share my story and be a part of the podcast at some future point.

    God bless all that you do to help all of us!! Bonnie

    St. Louis, MO

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