Thursday, June 28, 2012

Things I like Thursday

You all know I love to laugh, and make others laugh. As I have gotten older and faced more loss that comes with time, I have come to realize that laughter really is the best medicine. I can't believe the things I used to whine about when I was a teenager and in my 20s. But in the past year, as Mr. RK and I have faced the death of loved ones, my own serious illness, and a close family member's alcoholism, I find I have a more positive attitude than I ever have. Why? If we lose our sense of humor, we're doomed. We can make a choice to wallow and get dragged down, or count our blessings and move forward, even if it's one slogging step at a time.

I also get the feeling that many comedians or people who are super funny may use that as a balm to cope with their own disappointments.


I am so sad that Nora Ephron died. I haven't read her books but her movies always cracked me up - I haven't met a writer whose wit matched hers, except perhaps Garrison Keillor.

Beyond admiring her screenplay skills, I didn't know much about her - and then I read this story.

Hardly an easy life, but she didn't wallow. She didn't spontaneously combust...she got screwed in love but loved again, and successfully. She was diagnosed with leukemia, but still wrote one more book.

I collect quotes in notebooks, on scraps of paper, and in e-mails to myself, and try to read and re-read them and send them on when I need them.

This one from her is going on the top of my blog for awhile - it's advice she gave to a graduating class at her alma mater in 1996:

“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” 

Words to live by for sure.

PS Don't forget to stop by Claire's blog for her "Things I like Thursday"!

15 comments:

Lynn said...

A wonderful outlook on life you have there, my friend. And Nora - I adored her books. "I feel bad about my neck" is a favorite. I don't think anyone had a clue that she had a terminal illness and I'm sure that's the way she wanted it. She just got on with life.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

That's a GREAT quotation! May we ALL be heroines!

Claire said...

Love that quote. A great, great woman.

Granny Annie said...

I am putting that quote inside my coffee cabinet so it is the first thing I see every morning. Thanks my friend.

Anonymous said...

This one made me a little sad. Just put your armor on, right? I am learning to develop a sense of humor.

Ileana said...

I just love this post! I agree with you 100 percent about humor and it's what gets me through everything (and doesn't make me a pain in the ass to be around). lol

I also think that's one of the best quotes I've read in a while and I just pasted it on FB. I had no idea Nora Ephron died, but my friends and I always enjoyed watching her movies together. She was brilliant!

Full-On-Forward said...

Great great post and wise words to live by RK> I sure have missed laughing at my gal- but I'm back and I hope you are too!!!!

J

Shionge said...

Yes laughter is indeed the best medicine and I always like to make people laugh and be happy :D

LL Cool Joe said...

I have to admit I'd never heard of her, but I agree with her quotes. How sad, but how brave to live with such a positive attitude.

I always find I'm at my funniest when I'm at my most depressed. Go figure.

Riot Kitty said...

L: Pretty amazing, if you ask me.
D: I thought so, too.
C: I'm going to go back and read her books now...she obviously had a lot of wisdom in her humor.
NV: It's the only way to get by, I think.
J: Thanks!
S: Agreed :)
Joey: She wrote the screenplays for Julie and Julia, Sleepless in Seattle, and When Harry Met Sally. Does the humor help you when you're down?

Michael said...

She seems like such an inspirational person, sad to hear she passed.

Green Tea said...

It is sad to lose such an awesome person.
Just shows we should take it one day at a time.

A Beer for the Shower said...

Those are definitely great words, and words I try to use in my own writing. Besides, the helpless female is such a terrible cliche. And what hero wants to be "rewarded" with that?

Riot Kitty said...

Matt: I was, too.
GT: Very true.
ABFTS: Exactly!

Jack said...
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