When I was learning to drive, I remember being somewhat overwhelmed by so many things to do…

 

Put it in neutral.  Insert the key and turn to start.

 

Depress the clutch. Yes, a manual transmission. You did not get a licence if you couldn’t handle a manual transmission.

 

Hands on the wheel. Take the handbrake off. Slowly press the accelerator while releasing the clutch. Engine dies because I let the clutch up too fast.

 

Start again. Now we’re moving. Steer. Add gas to get up to speed. Watch the rear-view mirrors. Oh, I forgot to signal that I was pulling out. There’s a demerit. May not pass the driving test this time.

 

Watch for kids chasing a ball into the street. Watch the side streets to make sure no one is running a stop sign.

 

Red light. Slow down and stop making sure to depress the clutch early enough so the car doesn’t stall. Right signal on for the turn coming up. Steer. Add gas while releasing the clutch in just the right amount so as to not stall the engine.

 

Right signal on. Steer toward the curb. Brake and depress the clutch. Put it in neutral. Handbrake on. Let go of the clutch. Turn off the engine.

 

Whew. That was just a few minutes, but I am almost sweating from the stress.

 

 

 

Over time, many of those functions became automatic as I trained my subconscious mind to take over.

 

Now, I can do it on autopilot.

 

The subconscious runs the show.

 

Guess what.

 

This is a good analogy for how our life is.

 

The subconscious runs the show.

 

We learn shortcuts and don’t have to think about many of the things we do automatically.

 

This is a good thing, yeah?

 

Yes and no.

 

What if we have subconscious programs that do not serve our higher goals, our higher self?

 

Take laughter as an example.

 

When and why do we laugh?

 

What is there is a subconscious program that says we laugh when we see or hear something funny or humorous? And only if we see or hear something funny…

 

What if we reprogrammed the subconscious to laugh for no reason?

 

Why?

 

Because it is fun, joyous and healthy…

Kids laugh a lot. At the drop of a hat…

 

Why don’t we?

 

Is it because somehow we picked up a program that says you are being silly if you laugh at nothing?

 

Laughter Yoga founder Dr. Madan Kataria discovered that there is a host of health benefits to laughing.

 

Those benefits, he found in his research, happen when we laugh for a minimum of 10 to 15 minutes.

 

The challenge?

 

The subconscious program can get in the way.

 

Thoughts can come up while we are laughing for reason…doing laughter exercises…

 

“This is stupid. I must look silly. What is there to laugh at? Don’t you know life is serious? People must think I am loopy and deranged.”

 

Those are just a few that came up for me.

 

When I pushed through and persisted a number of positive things happened.

 

I felt lighter. I felt happier. I felt a sense of warmth. I felt connected to my fellow laughers. It felt as if there were long-time close friends. All in a matter of minutes of laughing together.

 

Over time, my subconscious beliefs about laughter changed.

 

Now, it is OK to laugh more.

 

It is even OK to laugh at myself when I make a mistake…

 

Life has more joy.

 

Dr. K. says laughter is a great thing “when life throws a dare.”

 

It appears that life is designed to give us challenges…large and small…

 

Laughing eases the pains and accentuates the positives in life.

 

All because I allowed myself to challenge the subconscious program that told me to only laugh at jokes, comedy or humourous situations.

 

Consider that we may have more energy, more tools and more courage to face our challenges when we feel good.

 

Laughter Yoga can help us dissolve the subconscious belief about life being hard.

 

Instead, we can choose to find joy in even the most challenging of life’s curve balls.

 

Will you join me for our online Laughter Yoga sessions?

 

Challenge and dissolve that subconscious belief about laughter.

 

You have only misery to lose and joy to find…Ha ha.

 

Here is our Laughter Yoga Schedule:

Laughter Schedule of the Victoria Laughter Yoga Club | Victoria Laughter Yoga Club

 

 

In Joy and Love

 

Matti Anttila PLD (Professional Laughter Dude)

Certified Laughter Yoga Teacher

Head Honcho at EasyStressRelease.com

Author of The Zen of Joy

 

“Joy and Love are key to overcoming our inner turmoil as well as the challenges and chaos present in the world.”

 

Free resource: “108 Tips for More Joy, Energy and Health.”   Click here:  https://joyenergyandhealth.com

Do your own research. Do not trust mine.

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© Copyright 2025 Matti Anttila,

PO Box 21144 Duncan RPO, Duncan Village, BC, Canada. V9L0C2

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Disclaimer: Please make your own decisions about everything. That includes investment, taxation, health and/or any other area. Seek professional assistance before attempting any of the ideas, tools and/or techniques discussed herein.

 

Any and all information provided here is not a substitute for the advice of a licensed medical practitioner. Individuals are advised not to self-medicate in the presence of significant illness. Always consult with your licensed medical practitioner first before undertaking anything…be it supplements, exercise programs or other protocols. The information herein is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Do not construe the information provided here as authoritative health advice…or authoritative advice of any sort. All information provided or referred-to is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be health, medical, financial, accounting or tax advice, nor should it be relied upon as such. Matti Anttila is not a licensed financial planner, doctor or health practitioner. If you’re not inclined to Do-It-Yourself then please, before you Do-It-To-Yourself, obtain professional advice.