What’s your go-to practice when you are having a bad day?

Mine? I reach for laughter. (I = Rev. Emilie)

I call my brother who always makes me pee-my-pants with laughter (metaphorically-speaking). 

I watch Wanda Sykes describe a certain politician with toilet paper on his shoe.

I play Bill Withers’ Lovely Day and get my groove on.

It takes effort. Too often, truth-be-told, I’d rather wallow in my bad mood. 

But I know that I need to shift my energy. Instead of clutching misery, laughter teaches me how to release and let go.

I loved this story of a teacher embracing joy in his online classroom. The teacher was giving instructions to his 5th graders - half of whom were online and half of whom were present (talk about stressful). He looked up to see “a disco ball and flashing lights in one student’s room.” Smiling to himself, the teacher rolled with it and continued the lesson. When he looked up again, a second student had turned on their disco lights. Eventually, all of the online students were in on the party, and so, the teacher brought the party to his in-person students. He turned on some music and had a 5 minute dance party (all social distant, masks on). It’s become a tradition in his class. It’s a necessary joy and laughter and celebration in this extraordinary year.

Now it’s your turn. What is your go-to practice for a bad day? Maybe it’s time to purchase a disco ball. 

If laughter doesn’t help shift the energy, then, I know something deeper is at work and I’ve got some exploring to do. More on that deeper healing work in the weeks to come.

For now, keep dancing. Keep laughing. Keep seeking joy.

With a faith known as Love,

Dr. Tuli Patel and Reverends Emilie & Robin*

*Robin on sabbatical until May 15th