HAPPY ADVICE
When You Need to Smile and Maybe Laugh…
Just what do you do?
I fielded a great question at the dog park this morning. It was:
“When you’re in need of a smile, or better yet, a laugh, where do you go?”
I would have said, “my granddaughter,” but she isn’t local, and also, kids can’t always be counted on to make us smile. Sometimes they are in a bad mood — like us.
Fortunately, I did have a good response because I have three video moments that always make me happy. They’re short which is good for the modern-day attention span and our lack of time.
Here are my three go-tos.
#1 Amateur Sarah Horn surprises Kristin Chenoweth
I have seen Wicked twice and know the music well. So I was going to find anything funny that related to Wicked. I was all in when there was a video clip of Kristin Chenoweth, who played Glinda, securing a volunteer from the audience at the Hollywood Bowl. Amateur Sarah Horn comes to the stage and shocks everyone in a spectacular way. Here’s the clip:
For the skeptics who wonder if this was real, an observer who was at the performance that night writes:
I was lucky enough to be in the audience that night and that performance was absolutely electric. The moment Sarah began to sing, the crowd went crazy. I also love how you can see the violinists applauding at the end by shaking their bows.
I loved Horn’s voice and I loved Chenoweth’s generous response. Total amazement and beauty in all of a few minutes singing a great song.
#2 Adele fooling look-alike Adeles in a contest
This video makes me laugh every time. Adele does a great job of pretending to be “Jennie” who is competing to win the “sing like Adele” contest. To see the other singers take in an emerging reality and their response never gets tiring.
#3 Peter Paul and Mary in the Garden Song
When my granddaughter who is now 20 months comes to visit, the first thing we listen to in the morning is the song below. I love gardens, I love Peter, Paul, and Mary (that’s what happens when you’re over 60), and I love that this is a kids' concert where at some point they sing acapella with the kids.
We know the song by heart at this point, and while it doesn’t make me laugh, it gives me the warmest of feelings. My granddaughter loves it too.
So, three easy ways to put a smile on my face which might work for you too, and one of them comes with a laugh.
Next question, dog park friends???