Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: laughter

  • THE LAUGHTER EFFECT

    THE LAUGHTER EFFECT

    HOW TO BUILD JOY, RESILIENCE AND POSITIVITY IN YOUR LIFE

    The subject of laughter is one that we all are familiar with and many embrace heartily. Ros Ben-Moshe has researched many aspects of laughter, including historical records, physical effects on the body and the reaction of the brain to laughter. It is not surprising to learn that children laugh more than adults, and it seems that as we age, we become more controlled with our emotions.

    The Laughter Effect lists many of the references to laughter from history as well as many different religions. One of my favourites is a record on papyrus from ancient Egypt. A woman sitting upon a man’s lap has farted, she makes an apologetic reference to her accident.

    In the Old Testament there are many references such as “Then was our mouth filled with laughter” (Psalms 126:2). Sarah, who became pregnant at ninety, said, “God has brought me laughter.” In the Muslim tradition, it seems that Mohammed laughed and made others laugh. Some of the Dreaming stories refer to Venus when it twinkles while it is low in the sky. They believe an old man has told a rude joke and is laughing.

    The author then explains the effect on the brain when we laugh. We know that serotonin is released from the brain and helps to adjust our mood. There are also many subtle changes which are being examined. It is believed that people who laugh a lot live longer and happier lives. Laughter therapies are shown to be medically beneficial, and suitable for all ages. Laughter Yoga and Laughter Wellness classes are being introduced to fill a void in the laughter therapy world.

    Using case studies and some ordinary “Mum jokes”, Ros shows us the importance to our body and soul of sharing and enjoying laughter at every chance.

  • Diary of a Buddhist Cat

    Diary of a Buddhist Cat

    Diary of a Buddhist Cat from Julian Worker is from the beginning a captivating read. Freddie the Buddhist cat is very conscious of being in his new home, rescued by some lovely humans from an adoption agency.

    He is settling in very well, but having issues with Gemma, the other resident cat, also a rescue cat and finding life as a Buddhist cat somewhat interesting as well; as he is very mindful of his good fortune. His antics on day one are very chuckle worthy.

    Each day in the diary is titled Today, as Buddhists live in the moment, or at least try to and as time passes he meets the other residents of the garden and park over the busy road, the local crows and a very forward squirrel called Rufus.

     Freddie is more than just a cat, he is a very learned cat who loves to read and when he discovers a library right next door, he sets about finding a way to enter and be able to read whatever he enjoys. He has decided he needs to further understand many of the philosophers of life, as well as the classics of English literature.

    Even though Mary and John, his new humans, have a wonderful bookcase full of interesting books, the library is even better. Far more choice.

    With the help of the Crows they work put a plan and he carries out his first clandestine visit to the library via the librarian’s open window. Of course he can’t resist the photocopiers open tray and decides he really does need to create the perfect piece of modern art, which is where the real fun begins.

    Add in a very organised squirrel called Rufus, who has always had a passion for things Egyptian, a hamster called Holly who really wants to read more about Care of Hamsters and a lively bunch of neighbourhood Crows and you have a page turning, laugh out loud, feel good book with a lovely message, that by working together, respecting those around us, and by being mindful, many wonderful things can happen.

    Julian Worker has also laced carefully throughout the story some wonderfully insightful commentary on how we humans choose to live our lives. It is also very sobering, as well as amusing, to get the Cats, Crows, Squirrel and Hamsters perspective on humans and their ‘antics’.

    Diary of a Buddhist Cat is a genuinely entertaining read.

  • Love Laughter and Longevity – The Art and Science of Wellbeing

    Love Laughter and Longevity – The Art and Science of Wellbeing

    Written from a been there , discovered this and it really works perspective, Wellbeing Educator and Speaker Janni Goss introduces a world of wellness that is both easy to understand and so simple to carry out and enjoy, so much so that taking responsibility for your own health and wellbeing becomes a happy component of everyday life.

    The benefits of reading and working your way through this refreshing look at creating positive change and positive emotion are life changing, as they focus on what could be considered as a wellness check for your mind, body and soul, tapping into the massive benefits of laughter, exercise, knowledge and something rather intriguing, Laughter Yoga.

    Goss, over the course of her life has faced up to some tough stuff, earning a permanent dose of PTSD, otherwise referred to as Pissed–Off and Totally Stressed-out Disorder, giving this debilitating condition a much more user friendly term.  She had to learn to live a healthy and happy life, or face the alternative, and so she set out to discover a better and much happier way to live. In Love, Laughter and Longevity she shares all the many things she discovered on her journey to wellbeing.

    As each of the chapters deals with different issues, such as how to better understand the trigger points which lead to poor health and stress, offering alternatives, particularly laughter, which is definitely considered the best medicine, to enable  serious and healthy changes in your life.

    For anyone who is, or has ever suffered with stress, dis-stress or dis-ease, is aging and facing some hard facts, or simply wants to have a happier, more relaxed feeling as they travel life pathways, this book is a definite must read.

    Filled with information on all the most important aspects of ageing and wellbeing, each chapter has details and references that can be followed up at a later date, along with a little section at the end with pertinent questions to be answered. This certainly helps identify any aspects which could to with a little bit of extra help, as the object is to be able to enjoy every moment of Healthy Longevity by outsmarting that nasty little creature called Stress, which has a bad habit of working its way into your life, almost undetected.

    There are also some serious funny, pointed and laugh out loud quotes throughout the book, adding a light and happy touch to a subject that should be dear to everyone hearts, that of living a happy, healthy and enjoyable life

    In the immortal words of Mark Twain: ‘Life is short. Break the rules. Forgive quickly. Kiss slowly. Love truly, laugh uncontrollably and never regret ANYTHING that makes you smile’.

      And remember. ‘We who laugh…….last’.

  • Spy Toys

    Spy Toys

    A toy manufacturer has developed a formula for toys which have a computerized brain. The toys that leave the factory are awesome, but only for the wealthy children. Occasionally a faulty toy is detected on the conveyer belt, and it is either used for spare parts, or dismantled completely. This is a story about three toys who are not just like every other toy, but despite faults, and many mistakes and adventures, they find a happy life together.

     The first toy we meet is Dan, the bear. His job is to comfort children and give them special hugs. Unfortunately something has gone wrong with Dan’s mechanics and he crushed the test dummy he hugged. He needs to learn to be gentle. The next is a rag doll, called Arabella, who has crossed wires and is very aggressive and nasty. She shares her plan to escape with Dan, and they successfully leave the factory. They haven’t gone far when they are caught up in a net by a toy rabbit. He accuses them of trying to steal from him, but just then robot police come looking for the lost toys.

     They are taken back to headquarters where they are interviewed. It seems the rabbit is a robot policeman in disguise and has many talents. There are two courses of action to be taken. The toys can be destroyed, or work together on a mission. The mission is to be bodyguards to the Prime Minister’s son, who is lonely, but also vulnerable, while he is on holidays. The toys jump at the idea of being body guards and companions.

     It is here they have to learn to adapt to their strengths and weaknesses. They struggle, fail a few times, and get into trouble a few times, but it is all a learning journey for them. For those of us who have imperfections, changing the way we think and act, can have an impact. The toys will always be flawed, but they come to accept that, and work with the talents that they have. There is humour and adventure and originality in this story that young children will be drawn to. The text is simple, with interesting illustrations and use of spaces to break up the pages. An emerging reader would enjoy this as a read alone or having it read to him/her.

     After all, who could resist a rabbit who is “Designed to be superior….but a few lettuce leaves short of a caesar salad”.