I snapped to attention when I heard these words while listening to an audio program on radical forgiveness:

“That is the cost of seeking to place blame.”

This short statement struck me like a lightning bolt splintering the tallest oak tree in the midst of a turbulent storm. It brought me to an orange, high alert status.

The statement was a concluding remark about the dramatic cost reduction in claims settlements experienced by insurance companies that adopted no-fault policies. The cost reduction was a dramatic seventy percent (70%), which the narrator labeled the cost of placing blame.

It was an “ah-ha!” moment. The implication in what wasn’t said was as powerful to me as what was said. When we are focused on placing blame on someone or something, we only have 30% of our energy left to focus on creating what we want. Thirty percent! That’s like entering a NASCAR race with a Model T Ford. It’s a guaranteed way to not only lose the race, but also more than likely not even be able to get on the track. Is it any wonder we don’t get what we want—career success, financial freedom, harmonious relationships, healthy lifestyles, and yes, even world peace?

Can you imagine regaining seventy percent (70%) of your energy by simply choosing to stop looking to place blame?

Can you imagine what could happen to your dreams if you had a 70% power surge of energy available to you to help you focus on what you want, rather than on what you don’t want?

You can do it. It’s simple, yet not easy. The power tool you can use to tap into this vast reservoir of energy is forgiveness.

March of the Penguin Laugh at World Laughter Day Celebration

When we forgive ourselves and others, we are released from the past. It’s like forgetting to turn in your baggage claim checks. Forgiveness gives us the opportunity to walk into the present moment without a cart full of baggage. It gives us the opportunity to begin experiencing the joy of unburdened living.

In laughter club we encourage each other to be mindful of forgiveness on Fridays. We suggest each person choose to let go of the past by forgiving SELF first, then others. The Uplifting Spirit Laughter Club at Unity in Greensboro has even created a special laughter exercise to help us release and let go of mistakes we have made. It’s called the “My Big Fat Idea” laugh. Here’s how you can laugh and lighten up the next time you want to release negative feelings from a relationship or situation that blows up in your face.

Laughing Together for World Peace on World Laughter Day

Take a deep breath and imagine that you are blowing air into a balloon. Let your hands illustrate the balloon expanding with each breath.

Repeat several times until you can imagine the balloon is getting so large it’s about to burst. Take one more breath, blow it into the balloon and pretend it bursts and there’s “egg” all over your face.

Put a big smile on your face and do a series of “hee-hee”s and “ha-ha”s (kind of like sputtering when you’ve been doused with a bucket full of water) as you pretend you are wiping off your face.

When you have all the “egg” wiped off your face, bend at the waist with your arms hanging downward towards the floor (touch the floor with your hands if you can). Rise up slowly while saying “ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.” This is the buildup to a big release.

When you are standing up with your hands raised above your head, let out a hearty “ha-ha-ha-ha-ha” and wave your hands in the air. It’s the big release. You’ve just let go of the past and you’re ready to embrace the present and begin again.

Go ahead. Give yourself permission to begin again. Choose, now, to give yourself the gift of freedom from the past. Choose forgiveness and move with joy into the present moment. You may even be making a contribution to world peace.

C’mon, Let’s Laugh!