March 21, 2003 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer 

   How many times have you laughed today?  Have you even smiled today?

   It has been said that we do not stop laughing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop laughing.  Laughter is called ‘internal jogging.’  Anyone who has engaged in an uncontrollable belly laugh can attest to the ‘workout’ you get.  When was the last time you got a case of the ‘giggles’ and could not stop laughing, especially when those around you started glaring at your ‘misbehaviour?’

   We need to find the silly, ridiculous and the absurd around us.  If we open our eyes it is not hard to see how funny and amusing life really is, even in the hard times.

   One time I was driving to Bashaw on a very blustery day.  As I was driving, a Canada Goose attempted to fly over my car.  I say attempted because, as the goose got close to me, a strong gust of wind caused the goose to do a back flip before my eyes.  I swear that goose had the most surprised expression on its face.

   Take time to notice what is happening around you.  There is so much scope for laughter and amusement.  Not the malicious laughter aimed at another person, but the amused recognition of the ridiculous around us.  

   Read things closely...sometimes a seemingly insignificant spelling mistake can change the intended message entirely.  Or a slip of the tongue can create a moment of hilarity.

   Humour is all around us...in the people we meet, the things we read and watch, the events we engage in every day.  Take time to notice and appreciate the funny, comical and absurd in the world around you and happy laughing!

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/10Fc6WuwYadQ42OWDim47KhXpqO8gU-TI/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.

March 7, 2003 Chautauqua

From the Editor's Computer 

  Life is full of surprises.  Just when you least expect it, they appear out of the blue.  Some surprises are good and others are not.

   A week ago, my neighbours had a baby girl.  Congratulations to them on the new addition to their family.  That was a good surprise...especially since the little girl came early!

   On Tuesday, many of us were very surprised to discover the grocery store was burnt down.  Not one of the most happy moments in town.  No only have the owners lost a business, but their home.  The community has lost a grocery store and a historical building (it was originally a theatre).  Thankfully no one was hurt.

   Good things happen and not so good things happen to all of us.  Most are generally small, almost insignificant, happenings.  Occasionally, we are shocked back into awareness by a major event, such as a fire.

   I read a very profound thought, and I’m sorry I don’t remember who said it, the other day…(paraphrased) It may not be your fault that you are down, but it is your responsibility to get back up. 

   We have been, and will continue to be, faced with events over which we have no control, events that may knock us flat.  While we can’t control the event, we can control our reactions to those events.  When we get knocked down, we have to get right back up.  Remember...a winner is someone who gets up one more time than he gets knocked down.

   Let us all work together, supporting each other and helping each other get back up!

Beth

Read the complete issue of The Chautauqua here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BowMOC4vdWE7P5a3c_blmV0wOLIz4Mim/view?usp=sharing

To contact The Chautauqua, email: thechautauqua@gmail.com.