Six Daring Acts to Lighten Up

I dare you. I don’t think you’re willing. Your dependence on crabbiness and moodiness gets you what you want, and acting bitchy and aggressive serves you just right. Maybe. Maybe not.

So I dare you, because it’s difficult to mash mean moods and sever silly sufferings. It’s tough to create compassion, kindness, and kick-ass, cool-heartedness. Our world needs it now. You can do it. You are The One. So take this Dare-Pill and see how far this Post-Hole goes.

I dare you.

1. Giggle. Right now. Fake it if you must, but giggle right now. Start slow, get the giggling murmuring. Giggling is good for you: the sound, the feeling. Let your giggle grow. Feel your face change shape. Listen to the crinkling and crackling as your jaw loosens. Hear your face bones begin resonating. Giggle good. I bet you sound silly.
2. Make a funny face. Do it. Contort your eyebrows, and wiggle your ears. Try, real hard; force one eyebrow to go up, the other down. Keep trying. Push it. Grit your jaw like the bad guy, the villian, the nasty-man in the movies, then — open wide as sudden shock. Widen your eyes; hold it. Wait for it, wait for it, wait for…the welling, the tears. Blink. Blink. Blink a bunch.
3. Cry. It’s okay. You can do it. Sob a bit, just a little, to water your eyes. Like a fresh well, welling up, crying is good for your body, your mind, your spirit. You’ll need no self-pity here, just cry. Whether it’s been a while or you did it just a minute ago, start with a muffled sob. Pucker. Blink. Look and feel sad. (Real, deep-down sadness is not pity; it’s that daring feeling of deep solitude.) Let your eyes well and brim and leak and flow. Cry. It’s okay.
4. Yawn. Sometimes it takes some priming: breathe in a bit, push it out, breathe in bigger, push it out more, breathe in fully and savor it, savor it, before releasing it. Yawn big. F-F-F-Fahh! Let your breath burst in, jaw crank open, eyes flood with tears. It’s contaigous because everyone want one: one big yawn. The great divide between rest and no-rest, stress and no-stress, your yawn might set you free. Your yawn could catch on, setting others free.
5. Find Awe in That. Pick something boring or unusual. That pen, this eraser, that plant (good choice), this window sill, that cloud (good choice), or choose your toenail. Whatever you choose — marvel at That! Wow. Discover your Awe-Ability. Look at That! It’s amazing: make sure to open your eyes wide and your mouth big — listen to it, smell it (even if it’s far away —try— it’s awe-filled), lick it. Wow. That was cool.
6. Stop it. Don’t even read on… Don’t do anything. I said: stop it. Turn this off. Rest. Stop. Lighten up by lightening your load. Rest. Stop it. It’s tough, I know your mind chatters on, but let go of keeping track of it all and everything. Exhale smoothly and softly and release that petty thinking about that thing you’re thinking and instead, stop. Lighten up.

Please share the dare in comments. I bet you have some good stories.