Find your belly laugh

“Stop!” I shouted. Repeatedly, as I squirmed on the couch, nearly falling to the floor. She refused to relent; a madwoman with a crazed look in her eyes. Digging the tips of her fingers into each spot with precision.

After many years together, Ariana knew exactly which places on my body were ticklish. And the louder my cries for it to end, the tighter she held me down and the heartier her laugh.

There was no particular reason for her actions. Nothing I did was “wrong.” This was not an act of punishment. Quite the opposite. It was the act of a woman in love. Sorry, what I mean is, it was the act of a woman WHO loved to torture her man.

And torture me she did. The more I hated something, the more frequently she did it.

Not out of anger. Or spite. Or ill-intent.

No, it was done out of love.

My mind was so preoccupied with rumination, fear, and doubt that it would take over my whole body. The energy would remain stuck, and my attitude would be on edge.

But the moment Ariana began to annoy me, tickle me, or do anything to push my buttons, she knew that the more committed to the act she was, the louder she would laugh and the quicker my energy would shift.

Because it so often ended with her and me, belly laughing for no reason other than the kinetic and powerful love we shared.

So, today, as you read this, hug the person who has the gift to shift your energy. Appreciate their warmth and heart for you.

And if that person was taken from you, remember the times they brought the deepest laughter to your heart.

And if you don’t have that person, open your heart up. Don’t shut it down. Stare the blankness of your future straight in the eyes and walk forward anyway.

We all deserve belly laughs.

It’s not only for kids.

With love,

-CJ