Comments on: Cracking Up Keeps Me From Falling Apart: How Laughter is Part of My Healing

By: Wanda Winters-Gutierrez

Wanda Winters-Gutierrez — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:58:45 +0000

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???? ????????? ??? AWESOME…thanks my friend! (:

By: Nikki

Nikki — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 21:41:13 +0000

Carol I totally understand what you are saying about "i got further into my journey i lost the ability to have fun and laugh" That occurred last year with me, I had arrived at a point in my own journey that I had hit another brick wall, of course there was more going on than just trying to figure out how to live my life after the nervous breakdown. A dear friend and mentor had passed away, another person whom I was close to backed away from me completely, and there was much more that happened. I went from running scared to trying to figure out what the "cause" that lead me to the point of my the break down to deep grief. I can remember last year telling a friend that I did not see a point but I was going to keep going until I found it. At the end of last year I had come to a critical point within myself it was at that very point that I started finding my laughter again. I know that sounds strange however it has been through laughter that has helped me to continue my journey instead of becoming totally stuck within myself. Of course this does not mean I haven't had to face the grief or the truth. Just as laughter has been very helpful in my healing so has being able to cry. There was a time in my life that I could not even cry for myself nor allow myself to cry, however that is different now. I encourage you to continue your journey in healing it may be at times hard and painful but it is well worth it to be the person you are! (((HUGS))) <3 Bethany I totally agree being able to have laughter has been a relief and it has kept me sane for the journey for sure. (((Hugs)))<3 Christina, I can relate to what you are saying there was a point in my childhood that I can remember not allowing myself to have any emotion whatsoever. Many times my own emotions where overlooked or labeled as me being "Dramatic" I believed in order to be strong in this life I could not cry. However throughout my life I was able to laugh and often times I too laughed at things that may have been inappropriate. What I have learned is that we are not just physical beings that grow physically but that we are also emotional beings that our emotions also goes through a growth or a maturing, as well as our mental growth and spiritual growth. With me I shut my emotions down when I was barely a pre-teen so I am having to allow myself the time to emotionally grow as well. (((Hugs)))<3 Thank You Darlene, and yea I attracted people who didn't just want to squish the me out of me but also thought that I should comply with their standards for me and if I didn't then I was a vile creature. Actually at the first of this year I was still not sure on how to accept me as I do now, I was still wrapped up in the fear of accepting me in which that was part of my grief as well, however there was this amazing blog I read let me think I believe I know the name of it, oh yes Emerging From Broken if you haven't read it you should it is absolutely amazing! LOL When I started reading your blog it hit me that I had the right to be me and not to be afraid to be who I am thus I began the process of standing up to a few folks and not backing down. As well as standing up to myself! (((Hugs)))<3

By: Darlene Ouimet

Darlene Ouimet — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 20:44:42 +0000

Hi Nikki!
This is a great post with a great combination of serious and light. I laugh so much more today too. I didn’t know that I was funny when I ived in depression and opression, and I seemed to attract people who squished the me out of me ~ so they didn’t really like it if I was funny, cuase it drew the attention away from them. Today I don’t think about any of that, becaue like you, I learned to be me and to appreciate me. It is great to read your story of how you learned to be YOU and as you said, you are the best you for the job!
Thank you for sharing, your post was a blessing to me today,
Hugs, Darlene

By: osa

osa — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:55:19 +0000

Nikki,
When I was growing up, my family used humor as a coping mechanism. We covered up our pain with jokes as a way of avoiding the pain. We pretended like we were happy. Laughter was the only acceptable expression, so I learned to laugh when someone died and I laughed when I was too afraid to talk. Laughter may not have been the appropriate response at that time, but at least it allowed me some kind of expression.

In my own process of healing, I’ve learned to see the humorous side of things. Human weakness has its moments! It’s a way for me to say, “I love being human!” Now, my laughter isn’t a substitute for tears or words. I can laugh at my failures out of an assurance that I’m loved in spite of them and with the confidence that I can overcome them. Thanks for sharing that part of your journey.
Hug, Christina

By: Bethany Ruck

Bethany Ruck — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:53:15 +0000

Great blog, Nikki! I know for a fact that I could have never stayed sane through the healing process without humor. It gives me a little break from the “somber” topic of abuse.

By: carol

carol — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:40:18 +0000

nikki, you seem to be telling my ownlife, but in your words.
i had a breakdown at 17 and it did kick start the spine in me that said, if i want to get better i must find the cause and not just treat the symptoms.
the one difference is that as i got further into my journey i lost the ability to have fun and laugh, but just lately i find myself laughing more and growling less. it has taken me my whole adult life to undo as much as i have and only know feel strong enough to try and get to the root cause, my family. i have skirted around the actions and though have dealt with the memories that have risen through other issues, i havent actually done any dedicated work to what happened in my home those early years and yet i know til i finally face what is there and unpack and bin the parts that are holding me back i will struggle to become the person i truely want to be, calm and happier with my lot inlife