L&L

If you thought that L&L is a corporate short form like Johnson & Johnson, well, that is not correct...it stands for Love and Laughter. As I was walking to this mentoring session, I was wondering what is in store for me in this session. Every session with this individual had been a huge learning for me. This was someone who seemed to see the negatives in life. He somehow just saw conspiracies around him and I told him that if the start point in relationships was trust, there was no conspiracy. Somehow, after having been bitten so many times, he was struggling to start on the premise of trust.

So, I tried a different path with him - the path of love and laughter. You don't need to trust the person, but you can always wish the person that only good happens to her/him. For that to happen, only love and laughter were needed. Are we in a position to provide that love and laughter to everyone in our lives?

A difficult question and one that I struggle with many times. How can I bring myself to think that only good should happen to someone who has always wanted to trouble me in some way or the other? Someone who has been a thorn in my personal life or has played petty politics at office to ruin my reputation or has just been an absolute pain to see or live with or work with daily. And then it struck me - I am not doing this for him/her...I am doing this for myself. If you want happiness, love and laughter in your life, think only good things can happen to you and for others.

As someone said, "There is no better medicine than a good dose of love and laughter everyday." Doesn't mean you kind of wear a "Love and Laughter" hat and punch in some L&L time - it is how you live your life - what you speak, how you carry yourself, your thoughts, your mindset and everything about you - it should be positive not only for you but for everyone who comes in touch with you.

I tend to do this L&L in spurts. I tried this out for the first time in 1988 and somehow life changed for me. I did this again in 1992 and then in 1998....life changed significantly. Somehow, I have not been able to do this since then. But, it is inside each one of us and each one of us is capable of L&L - only that we do not choose to bring it out.

What was the impact on me when it was L&L time? I can remember the happiness around, the atmosphere was electric always and all around me were only positive thoughts. Life was not a bore - there was never a dull moment. Every moment seemed to send me a signal that there is a reason to smile. Most importantly, I was aware of all this. Just imagine your life being like this? And guess what - it is inside each of us - only that we choose not to opt for pressing the button!!!

We wake up everyday wanting it to be a great day. But within few minutes of waking up, we are surfing the news only to see how so many disagreeable things are happening around us in this world. So, the best thing would be to stop looking at your mobile or tablet or the TV in the morning. Focus on yourself, what you are going to do that day, get some exercise and meditation and get on with some reading that will make you a better individual. Start looking at the positive side of everything in life - I said everything!!! 

Yakov Smirnoff said, "I believe that love and laughter can only happen when one person takes the time to think about what would cause the other person to feel good. If love is the treasure, laughter is key."

I am trying to bring this practice back this year - we can each make 2017 the best year yet for us - go for L&L!!!