Laughter Brings Light into My Soul

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This is a hard one! What is there to laugh about these days? The world feels angry - on fire, shaking, and hostile. It’s as if the ground is projecting our internal strife beneath our feet. Nothing is certain anymore. Perhaps it never was, and the only constant is uncertainty. I am affected by this seizure running through the universe, just like everyone else. We empaths are struggling mightily in this world where making people fearful is being applauded and those most in need are being ignored.

I attend Trinity Episcopal in Florence, AL. It feels so much like home to me that I’m beginning confirmation classes next month and walking away from my Baptist upbringing – being an out gay man, I’m sure there isn’t much stomach to fight me from leaving. I bless them all anyway.

I have found purpose in helping when I can with the Community Meals. I just call them ‘Monday Meals’ since we prepare them on Mondays to give away to those who need them from the Parish Hall doors – that’s about 200 meals every Monday that are given away in usually 15-20 minutes. If you think there aren’t souls easily in reach that need your help, you aren’t looking too hard.

Helping with this work feeds my soul while we feed the empty bellies of those who receive it. In the kitchen, we laugh and joke. Stories are told. Lives shared. In those moments, shimmers of light and love break through the darkness. Greedily, I treasure those hours each week. The laughter and love bring light into my soul and wash away some of the darkness that has stuck to me through the week.

Ever notice your mood when you hear someone really laugh? – not one of those small, cute, polite laughs, but one of those from the toenails up, let loose loud, unapologetic laughs. The energy shifts! Laughter is a medicine for the soul. Laughter makes darkness withdraw and burdens lighten. These days, we need to smile at strangers a little more, laugh a little louder, and love a lot harder. It may just be the thing that parts the clouds and brings us through to better days.

PS - I need to shoot a new headshot. Ya boi got to look cute since I'm 42 lbs lighter!

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New profile picture of Jonathan Cain!

Jonathan Cain is a native of Florence, Alabama, and has been the current Curator for the Tennessee Valley Museum of Art located in Tuscumbia, AL, since January 2020. He functioned in that role previously for several years before leaving to pursue a career in education. He holds an undergraduate degree in graphic design from the University of North Alabama and graduate degrees from both the University of Mississippi (MFA – Sculpture) and the University of North Alabama (MA – Clinical Mental Health). He is an eclectic artist who likes to pursue many different media.