Tears and Laughter
I remember Rich Buhler, a marvelous Christian radio talk show host during the 1980s saying something that has stuck with me all these years.
“Most of us haven’t cried all the tears we have. And more important, we haven’t expressed all the laughter we have inside.”
I’d never thought of such a thing before. But the more I reflected on his words, the truer they were for me. I learned in my early years to stuff my tears and to moderate my laughter! Not easy when you’re a kid, right? But I learned and I practiced. “Don’t make a spectacle of yourself” was the silent command.
Over the years since as I changed and grew and challenged myself, I decided to take the risk and allow my real self to come out. What freedom there is when we let loose, go with the flow, and share ourselves without fear.
Does it always work? No. Is it even a good idea to put ourselves on the line? Might not be. Will we regret it? Maybe. What will people think of us? Not sure. What will we think of ourselves? We’ll find out.
But we’ll never know unless we try it. Unless we hitch ourselves to God and follow his lead, opening our hearts, our minds, our souls so that we will enjoy all the fullness of being as God created us, shedding our unshed tears and laughing till we ache.
Most of my life I have been too careful instead of carefree, too proper, too appropriate, too rule-bound. But as I recall Buhler’s words today, I am making room and more time in my life to break out of the rut and to walk on the road to wellness and peace. It’s a lifelong journey, but I’m lovin’ it!
How about you?
My purpose is to give you life in all its fullness. (John 10:10)
I was a big fan of Rich Buhler “back in the day” too. Thanks for these honest and encouraging words letting us know that it’s OK to be “in process.” Great to know that shedding old patterns and habits is something we can all receive benefit from as we get older. Sending love and hugs from afar!
Thanks, Glenda. I just read an article about him written in 2010 when he was diagnosed with inoperable pancreatic cancer. It’s good to know he is now with the Lord he loved and served and shared with millions of us.
In my Mother’s aging years it seemed like there were no strangers to her. She spoke to everyone like they were friends even though they hadn’t met. As I have aged greatly, I am finding that it’s the same with me. It is like there are no strangers anymore. I speak to everyone when I have the chance. I love to encourage people and to acknowledge a nice smile when ever possible. I know it is The Lord within me. I am so Blessed that He would give me the opportunities and the ability to reach out to a stranger, to come along side someone in need. I am honored to be used of Him.
And you surely are used by God, Jay. I see it in you whenever we are together with our family.
What wonderful advice! My long time friend-literally for 85 years (we met when we were three) spent most of our time together giggling!! We did not care where we were we just had to giggle!! We also felt free to express our faith and this was a blessing for both of us. I am so thankful for those days-now she has Alzheimer’s and she has not been able to talk on the phone for several months now, but she always seemed to know who I am and we would still giggle a little and she would mention things we did as Kids! She did not recognize her own daughter and she might not have recognized me if she had seen me but she knew my voice. It is wonderful to know how much we enjoyed each other. One of my newer friends brought lunch to me today and we sat at the table shared a lot of laughs, bordering on ‘giggling’ as I related some of the things our family had done growing up and some of the things my Dad did that brought on a lot of laughter! Today my friend and I shared our faith and love of the beautiful things God has given to us. She brought photos she took of two squirrels in her back yard eating a flower from the hibiscus bush! We did not know they ate the blossoms!
It is nice to feel free to share laughter and faith with one another withholding nothing and not worry about who is ‘listening’.(I hope all of this makes sense!)
Blessings, Karen, and thank you!
Such a lovely share, Margaret. Thank you.
Like dancing barefoot in the rain during a summer shower…
That sounds like fun, Michele. Now if only we in California would get some rain so we could dance in it! 🙂
Love those thoughts, Karen. And how true. As a very self-controlled person, I’m realizing it might not be because of trusting God. Letting myself “go” and be real and have fun might just be the best way to trust God!! Always love your ideas.
PS I was another one who appreciated Rich and was on his show. He treated everyone with respect.
Thanks, Kathy. I love that you are ready to let yourself ‘go’ and I’m happy to know Rich Buhler was important to you too.
First of all, Karen, I loved your beautiful photo. What a perfect art piece, so enchanted by the bright color combinations and your smile is so bright and heartwarming, a perfect match to your writing. It’s so vivid like I’m seeing you in person.
And, How true your writing is. For decades, I’ve been so conditioned under pressure for achieving goals in perfection … made it all the way from China to America … took me years and years to realize that my psychological adrenaline even profoundly reflected the way I walked – I’d never actually known how to walk a few leisurely slow-paced steps, until one day my teenager daughter brought to my attention, exclaiming: “Slow down, Mom, what’s the rush?” I’m finally learning to find the serenity and sunshine part of me …. Thanks, Karen, for another beautiful writing. I always learn so much from them. Jing
Thank you, Jing. I’m right with you enjoying the serenity and sunshine of each day.
Love this post, dear Karen! Thanks so much for these encouraging words. This makes me want to get together with a friend or two and laugh like children again! 🙂 I especially need that right now, since my mom’s death in June. Thankfully, two of my dearest friends are coming for a visit in a couple of weeks. Laughter–and tears–will permeate our weekend, I’m sure.
Love and hugs to you!
Thank you, Judy, for letting me know about the passing of your dear mom. It is such a loss to lose our moms–the ones who gave us birth. It’s profound, really. I pray your weekend with friends will give you opportunities to laugh and cry and share your memories.
Yep, I am a work in progress myself and hope to find more silly and fun things to laugh about each day. The right friend helps me find a good laugh.
Thanks, Lynn. I think we all have more laughter within us than we realize. There is so much to smile about even while enduring some of the challenges of life.