#Gratitude30 Day 21's prompt is: What makes you laugh

The answer is many things. While I am not as easy to amuse as my partner, I generally find a lot to laugh about. This world is full of lovely things and experiences that bring me joy.

In reflecting on the prompt, sutra 1.33 of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras came to mind:

Maitrī karuṇā muditopekṣāṇām sukha duḥkha puṇyāpuṇya viṣayāṇam bhāvanātaś citta prasādanam.

By cultivating attitudes of friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous and disregard toward the wicked, the mind-stuff retains its undisturbed calmness.

In this translation by Swami Satchidananda, “mudita” is translated as “delight”. In other spaces it is translated as “sympathetic joy” - the joy that comes from witnessing other people’s happiness, well-being or positive experiences.

Why do we laugh? What makes us laugh? What brings us joy?

I am thankful for the foundation of the teachings that have been shared with me, that allow me to be delighted by all the good around me. If you would like to know more please get in touch or check out my website for ways to work with me.

*these posts are also being shared on my social media (Instagram and Facebook) as I have shared there over the past years.