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Sometimes a class assignment heightens our awareness of “coincidences.” That’s what happened to me. Todd, one of my spiritual writing instructors, gave our class the following assignment: “For the next week, look for coincidences and write about what you discover.” I wrote the assignment down in my spiral notebook, gathered my things, said my goodbyes to fellow classmates, and headed out the door. That was on a Sunday night.

Fast forward to the next Friday morning. I haven’t thought about my class assignment all week. I am presenting a couple of therapeutic laughter programs at a day-long Senior Awareness Fair. As an event exhibitor, I arrive at the designated time, let the event coordinator know I am on-site, and then locate the “laughter theater” created ingeniously by event organizers with an outdoor tent donated by a local funeral home, and blue plastic tarps used for sides. I am thrilled. I just know it’s going to be a great day.

The Fair opens at 9:00 AM. Soon, a gentleman seated in a four-wheel, heavy-duty personal mobility vehicle rolls up to my exhibit area. His posture is such that I can barely see into his eyes. I kneel down to make eye contact and greet him with a big smile and a hearty hello. I thank him for choosing to come out and laugh with us. I am rewarded with sparkling, dancing eyes as he struggles to raise his head and enunciate ever so carefully,

“Evvvveerrrrreeboddee ddddesssserrrrvvves aaa leeettttle frivaaaliitee.”

He ends his statement with a hearty laugh, as his right hand, the only hand that was mobile, slaps his knee repeatedly. I, too, burst into laughter as I am totally caught off guard with his statement. The laughter creates a special bond between the two of us.

The sound of our laughter is catchy. It piques the curiosity of other exhibitors in the area. They start laughing too, even though they don’t know what is tickling our funny bone. The sound of all of us laughing together draws other people and soon all the chairs in the “laughter theater” were full.

When the first of four laughter programs finishes, my mind goes back to my newfound laughter buddy’s words of wisdom, “Everybody needs a little frivolity.” My writing class assignment fritters through my mind. I decide somehow this will fit, yet I’m not sure how to ties it into “coincidences.”

Not to worry. The Universe is handling the details.

Fast forward to Sunday brunch. Steele, my life partner and business partner, and I are walking out of the restaurant heading towards our car. Half way across the parking lot, the vanity plate of a white C70 Volvo with khaki convertible top and cream leather interior catches my attention. I’m staring at the letters F-R-I-V-L-U-S. Suddenly, Friday morning’s words of wisdom are linked with the message on the vanity license plate. I start to laugh. Steele wants to know what’s so funny. I keep pointing to the license plate saying, “Everybody deserves a little frivolity!”

Does this fit the definition of coincidence? Do I now have a great example of “coincidence” to share in my writing class on Sunday night? Yes! Yes! And Yes again! I give thanks for the answer to my class assignment. That night I soar into class bursting with enthusiasm and ready to report my results.

Here’s what I discovered from that assignment. Laughter is all around us—when we choose to look for it. It comes to us at the most unexpected time and place. All we need to do is set an intention to look for it. I promise you, it shows up.

Here are some guidelines to help increase your laughter quotient each day:

• Set an intention to look for “coincidences.”
• Listen to your inner voice speaking to you, like my inner voice that told me to pay attention to what the gentleman in the personal mobility vehicle had to say.
• Join in when others are laughing, even if you don’t know the reason they are laughing. Laughter is contagious and soon you’ll feel better and others may join in too, which means you are co-creating a mirth movement.
• Express appreciation to yourself for choosing to see “coincidences” and allowing laughter to flow in your life.

Remember, everybody deserves a little frivolity. So, C’mon Let’s Laugh!