Throughout my life, I have been complimented

and criticized for my laugh.

 

Have you been criticized for being you?

Practice and learn to ignore those criticisms

(whether they are coming from inside you or from someone else)!

 

"Let your laugh out...live your life with gusto and enthusiasm!" ~Julie Ostrow, American Laughing Champion

 

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I share my thoughts on what it meant to me to win the American Laughing Championship. When I won the laughing championship and held up that trophy with joy and utter pride, I believe it was the first time in my life I fully embraced my accomplishment and was not worried about anyone else. I realize that, at first, that sounds selfish. However, if you’ve lived your life pleasing others, then you understand where I am coming from. I didn’t worry for even a fraction of a moment whether someone else felt bad because I won. Looking back on my life, I realized I played small so others wouldn’t feel small. When I was in the throes of the laughing championship, I was in complete and utter bliss. Boy, was I oozing with endorphins!! Because I was so lost in the moment of pure and utter joy, the whole room simply fell away. It is said that the endorphins that are released when we laugh are the same ones that are released when we meditate. That makes sense to me. You could say I was in a meditative state. I could hear the humming roar of laughter from the audience and could feel their love and support. I realize it is my duty and responsibility to live out loud, let my laugh out, and live my life with gusto enthusiasm. Simply by doing that, I shall be an inspiration to others to do the same.