On Laughter:
“It is a strange world, a sad world, a world full of miseries, and woes, and troubles. And yet when King Laugh come, he make them all dance to the tune he play. Bleeding hearts, and dry bones of the churchyard, and tears that burn as they fall, all dance together to the music that he make with that smileless mouth of him. Ah, we men and women are like ropes drawn tight with strain that pull us different ways. Then tears come, and like the rain on the ropes, they brace us up, until perhaps the strain become too great, and we break. But King Laugh he come like the sunshine, and he ease off the strain again, and we bear to go on with our labor, what it may be.”
BRAM STOKER, Dracula
Read more at Notable Quotes.
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My guest author tomorrow is Scott Graham, author of the first two books in his national park series, Canyon Sacrifice and Mountain Rampage. He is giving away a copy of both books to one lucky U.S. or Canada reader who leaves a comment noting the national park they’d most like to visit. The deadline will be midnight MT Saturday.
This is from Dracula? Sounds like Stoker had the gramophone playing the blues when he wrote 🙂
That’s what it says on “Notable Quotes,” One of the reasons I want to go back and reread Dracula is to read it in context. I certainly don’t remember that kind of “vibe” from the novel.
Laughter does lift the mood and there is scientific proof that it releases feel-good chemicals in your brain.
I certainly feel better after a good laugh, Susan. Sometimes I revisit old sitcoms just to lift me out of a slump….like the kind that comes with long spells of dreary wet weather.
I try to find something wonderful to laugh about every day, Margot, because I firmly believe laughter heals the mind and body. I was surprised, however, when I went looking for the perfect quote, to find this one from Bram Stoker. Makes me want to go back and reread Dracula — don’t think I’ve looked at that book since high school.
Oh, I like this, Pat! Thanks for sharing. We all need to remember how restorative a laugh really is. 🙂