tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5570516323468242823.post714459695507733319..comments2024-01-18T14:03:53.465-08:00Comments on The Healing Power of Laughter: Finding God through Billy Joel & Bud LightDr. Joe Gusehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04068411198328024201noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5570516323468242823.post-35930141086026595502007-08-08T18:54:00.000-07:002007-08-08T18:54:00.000-07:00Robert, Interesting comments. I'm curious that...Robert,<BR/> Interesting comments. I'm curious that you read my remarks as being theistic, when that is not really the way I lean. I do think what the historical Jesus had to say was pretty spectacular, regardless of how it has been misinterpreted by Christian religions. I've always subscribed to this quote from Ghandi:<BR/><BR/>I like your Christ,<BR/>I dislike your Christians, they are so unlike your Christ.<BR/><BR/>For years I fought against any kind of religious beliefs, but as a therapist 9 out 10 people I see believe in a higher power, and over the last couple of years I've come to realize the importance of meeting people at their level regardless of my personal beliefs. Your points are excellent about the circumstances of my birth, that is why I recommend Joseph Campbell to people, and have written two books using his theory as a model.Dr. Joe Gusehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04068411198328024201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5570516323468242823.post-70503765163920546672007-08-08T18:30:00.000-07:002007-08-08T18:30:00.000-07:00As a musician, I can testify to the power of music...As a musician, I can testify to the power of music in evoking emotions, both for the listener and the performer.<BR/><BR/>And one of the most powerful "feel-good" combinations is music and laughter.<BR/><BR/>If at all possible, be a performer. Join in, no matter how little you may think you have to contribute. The social aspect of joining in is more important than the musical content. If you make a mess...laugh at it! It's what we "pros" do!<BR/><BR/>***********************<BR/><BR/>I've read all your posts, Joe, and I was impressed by and agreed with your powerful and thought-provoking arguments<BR/>...until you started to go off the rails by propagating the christian god myth. Don't you know that there is NO biblical record of Jesus laughing or causing others to laugh? Not a very good role model for you, I think!<BR/><BR/>And, as you point out, the happiest humans on the planet are little children. And they aren't theists!<BR/><BR/>After all, you only quote from the bible because of the accidental circumstances of your birth. Had you been born in Afghanistan or some remote Pacific island, you would be quoting the qur'an or the wise words of the local medicine man instead...<BR/><BR/>As you correctly (imo) suggested in an earlier post, we should all be making the most of THIS life - not preparing ourselves for a mythical afterlife.<BR/><BR/>Guilt or laughter? Choose religion if you want guilt; choose not taking life too seriously if you like laughing. I know which one I'M choosing!Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08210753167984462321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5570516323468242823.post-45277290325799563532007-08-08T06:41:00.000-07:002007-08-08T06:41:00.000-07:00Very insightful and you're very right. Music does...Very insightful and you're very right. Music does harmonize people in so many ways. You should hear Dr. John sing "Ding Ding goes the Trolley."Margarethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04330486400933062955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5570516323468242823.post-71660573523115160362007-08-06T14:56:00.000-07:002007-08-06T14:56:00.000-07:00What a wonderful, wonderful experience you had. I...What a wonderful, wonderful experience you had. I am so happy for you...and what makes it extra cool is that you're so right about the power of music. I know that there are songs that make me thing of seasons, there are songs that just take me back to this feeling of a time and a place so vividly that it's shocking.<BR/><BR/>Thank you.Cindyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17831979625799634312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5570516323468242823.post-80055690266645304462007-08-06T10:41:00.000-07:002007-08-06T10:41:00.000-07:00Twofeathers,Great to hear! I think we forget somet...Twofeathers,<BR/><BR/>Great to hear! I think we forget sometimes how great it can be to turn on a favorite song in times of distress. Even if you are in great pain, music makes good things happen in your brain as well as your body and feeling better physically almost always means feeling better cognitively. Thanks for sharing your own story. For me the music I use ranges from Beethoven, to the Beatles, to Outkast depending on what mood I'm in.Dr. Joe Gusehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04068411198328024201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5570516323468242823.post-67891621027742736482007-08-05T21:26:00.000-07:002007-08-05T21:26:00.000-07:00Yes! I love the title to this post, and I too find...Yes! I love the title to this post, and I too find God in music. God in the form Leonard Cohen spoke to my heart through a difficult time. And God speaks to me through that awesome song in "Hustle and Flow"... it's hard out here to be a pimp... that song comes to my mind whenever I am knee deep in trauma drama... and then I remember that I'm not alone that everyone I meet has their own heart ache and struggle... Next thing you know... I'm singing "don't worry be happy"Shirley Twofeathershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05911925862486389242noreply@blogger.com