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At 92 years old, my grandfather is a living example of the
adage, "Laughter is the best medicine." Despite facing numerous challenges
in his life, including losing both of his parents at a young age and
experiencing economic hardships, he never lost his zest for life.
Starting out as a laborer and later becoming a gardener, my grandfather's
hard work and honesty earned him the opportunity to take care of his
employer's large orchard. He saved up enough money to purchase a piece of
land and plant rubber trees, but had to sell it when rubber prices dropped
during an economic downturn. Despite this setback, he remained resilient and
took on odd jobs, becoming a jack-of-all-trades. Seeking greener pastures,
he eventually moved to Los Angeles and worked as a restaurant helper,
eventually becoming the owner of the restaurant.
My grandfather's fine sense of humor has been a constant throughout his
life. He never fails to break the ice on any occasion with his witty remarks
and jokes, leaving everyone in stitches. He could have easily become bitter
about the challenges he faced in life, but instead he chose to maintain a
positive outlook. "Give life everything you have got and life will give its
best back to you," he would say.
Despite experiencing occasional bouts of flu and fever, my grandfather has
never suffered from any major ailments. He firmly believes that laughter is
the elixir of life, and whenever I went to him with a problem, he would
simply laugh. His laughter is so infectious that I would soon find myself
joining in. When asked why he laughs so much, he simply responds, "Why?
Because laughter is the best medicine!"
Numerous studies have shown that laughter has numerous health benefits,
including reducing stress hormones, increasing immune function, and
improving overall well-being. Laughter has even been shown to have
pain-relieving properties, making it a natural and effective form of
therapy.
Laughter also has social benefits, as it can help to build connections and
strengthen relationships. When we share a good laugh with someone, it
creates a positive bond that can help to sustain us through difficult times.
This is especially important for older adults, who may be at risk of
isolation and loneliness.
My grandfather's resilience and positive outlook on life, coupled with his
sense of humor, have undoubtedly contributed to his longevity and overall
health. He is a shining example of the power of laughter to heal and sustain
us, even in the face of adversity. As we navigate the ups and downs of life,
we would all do well to remember the healing power of laughter. |
