"Everyone laughs in the same language."
These six words, printed on a shirt that I paid no more than four dollars for at my local consignment, relay a ridiculously accurate and noteworthy observation on humanity.
That all of us --
Black
White
Hispanic
Asian
or Other
Gay
Straight
Undecided
Bi
Trans
Or Other
Married
Single
Divorced
Widowed
Kids
No Kids
Religious
Non-religious
The strong
The weak
The rich
The poor
The authentics
The fakers
The anxious
The carefree
The hurt
The healed
The old
The young
-- all show, share and spread joy the same way.
By way of the provocation of a positive emotion that originates in our heart and climbs out of our being through our lips in the form of a giggle, chuckle, cackle, belly laugh or other endearingly cheerful noise.
Those same lips -- that if unzipped and unfiltered, can often be used (sometimes unabashedly) for ugliness and hate -- are capable, when used properly, to express and deliver joy and to transcend cultural, racial, gender, class and other unfortunate divisions.
These six words, printed on a shirt that I paid no more than four dollars for at my local consignment, relay a ridiculously accurate and noteworthy observation on humanity, one which I am more than happy to have my three-year-old support and promote as she confidently roams this Earth spreading almost enviable authentic merriment.
Barak Obama stated that "the forces that divide us are not as strong as the those that unite us."
Want to feel united with those around you?
Laugh with them.
Want to feel the powerful influence that is the mirth of genuine goodness?
Laugh with a toddler.
Whoever, however, whenever...just laugh more.
No further translation is available.
This post comes from the TODAY Parenting Team community, where all members are welcome to post and discuss parenting solutions. Learn more and join us! Because we're all in this together.