Unless someone tells me differently, we’re on the verge of coming out the most difficult seven months of our lives—and our marriage. Due to a number of circumstances out of our control including a newborn baby who screamed more than she slept, and my dad having more heart pump surgeries than cats have lives, we were barely functioning.
Fortunately, our daughter turned a huge corner, thanks to the hard work and determination of my wife, Christi. My dad is home recovering slowly, but surely. For this miracle and all of your prayers, we are incredibly grateful.
But as the fog began to clear and circumstances got better, Christi and I found ourselves stuck in the same moods, mostly downcast, rarely laughing. It’s as if we were afraid to be happy or enjoy life again because if we did, BAM! “Right back to the misery you go.”
Waiting for bad things to happen to us will never prepare us for when they do. That’s not living; it’s dying.
We were dying.
Before I get to our inspiring story, it’s important to know that Christi and I tend to take life more seriously than we should. We’re both Type A, driven, task-oriented individuals whose life movie might reflect more of a contemplative adventure than a comedic storyline. If you’re a fan of the TV show Parenthood, I’m Adam, not Crosby.
I knew we needed to laugh more and to enjoy life again, especially with one another.
So we adopted a cow.
It all began a few weeks ago when Christi and I went on a date night. After dinner we went to a home goods store on the Branson Landing to look around. As we made our way to the back of the store, we simultaneously burst into laughter. I’m talking good ole’ down-to-the-soul belly laughing.
Sitting there in all of her glory was the most colorful, in-your-face cow we ever encountered. We laughed like a couple of uncontrollable giddy toddlers with no cares in the world.
The next day as I was driving home from work I got off the exit to that store with an overwhelming sense that I needed to buy that picture and surprise Christi with it. So I did.
Since then, this is what happened:
That’s right, she now rests on the mantel above our fireplace. Our adopted cow is the first thing we see when we walk out of our bedroom in the morning. She also greets all of our guests as they come in the front door.
Why is she sitting there? Because we’re choosing to take the first seven seconds of our day, as soon as we wake up, and laugh. That’s it, just laugh.
Try it. It changes the trajectory of your morning—what you think about, how you feel, the way you think about your day, and especially how you talk to one another pre-coffee.
I got the idea from Andy Andrews’ book Mastering the Seven Decisions to Personal Success. Everyone should have this book. In it, he writes that happiness is a choice.
Since the cow entered our lives, our outlook has changed. We’re living again. Not focused on what could go wrong, but enjoying what’s going right.
If you’re going through a difficult time or just want to get more enjoyment out of your everyday routine, I encourage you to try some of the ways we’re laughing more often.
1. Laugh for the first seven seconds of your day, as soon as you wake up.
2. As you go throughout your day, start asking the question many comedians ask to get their content, “What’s stupid about this?” Here’s a picture I took of a recent newspaper headline. Poor moose.
3. Sign up for my friend Ken Davis’ blog called Lighten Up and Live. Every Monday he sends out a 2-3 minute family friendly funny clip (say that three times) called Lighten Up Monday. It’s a great way to begin the week on a lighter note.
4. Listen to more music, not because you’re happy, but because it makes you happy.
5. Smile more often throughout the day, especially when you talk. Smiling literally changes your physiological response to situations.
Oh yeah, one more thing: the cow needs a name, and we want you to help choose it.
In fact, we’re going to give away a copy of our video / workbook curriculum The Screen-Balanced Family to the person who can come up with the best name by Friday, April 24th at 4pm EST.
Just post your comment below or by clicking here.
What other ways do you and your family lighten up? Feel free to comment and spread the laughter.
Joby Anthony Jr. says
Bessie.
[email protected] says
May-belle
[email protected] says
I was going to say Bessie…but since Joby beat me to it…how about Risa (spanish – look it up :))
Kristie Kintner says
If it’s a bull: Bullwinkle, Bullseye or Hester
If it’s a cow (female): Clarabell, Marigold, or Hettie the Heifer
Cher says
Bertha
Terri Brown says
That cow looks like a Chester to me.
[email protected] says
Great read, the first thing that came to mind when I saw this picture is that it brought you out of despair. The opposite of that is being “hopeful”, so with that being said……..I would choose Kit the cow (since you referred to it as “she”), which means hopeful. However, if you want to change the gender, and make it a male, I would do Barloc the bull, which means strong warrior of hope!!!! Good Luck choosing.
[email protected] says
Seven Second Sally!
Tanna says
Heaven Sent because it sounds like she was a gift from God, put into you life at just the right time.
Amanda Shawver says
Momentum…or mom (or some variation of) for short because it’s giving you a great start to your day!
Cjbrown says
Mara, which means “bittersweet”…sounds like she turned your bitter into sweetness:) Corny, right?
Tamara Hammer says
Tallulah Belle as a name for the cow.
Ruth Cooper says
Clarence like the angel in “It’s a Wonderful Life” because life is wonderful & laughter is good medicine.
Nancy Lamb says
Nutty Buddy seems like an appropriate name!
Jordan Mulson says
So, how about Lolly, because she made you LOL? 🙂
Lolly the Cow 🙂
[email protected] says
That’s hilarious.
[email protected] says
Laughter or Merry the cow. Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:…”
[email protected] says
Buttercup. She looks like a Buttercup kind of gal to me. 🙂 Graceful. Cheery. Also quite hilarious! 🙂 Thanks for sharing, and so grateful that God is so good by providing joy and laughter in life, especially in the midst of trials!
[email protected] says
I like this!
[email protected] says
How about Zibn? It means 7, in Yiddish.
Dallas says
Steakie.
Allie Gentry says
Panda, or any other animal besides a cow.
Whitney Vermillion says
Cow’s name… Collette LeChante (pronounced co-let lay-shawn-tay for you Branson folk)
[email protected] says
I would name your cow, “Giddy”.
[email protected] says
Beatrice
Kathy Buckley says
My first thought was Bessie! and it looks likes some others think so too. But There are lots of good suggestions. Just stand in front of her and say each name to see which fits her the best. Let us know what you decide.
[email protected] says
Great suggestion!
Leona says
I think she is a Betsy!
Trisha says
Matilda
Jan says
Chuck for (Chuckles)
Norma says
Bessie…..She just looks like a Bessie..that’s all
Thanks for the great write up! It made me SMILE!!
[email protected] says
Name her Lark. After all you bought her on a lark. And a lark indicates a happy time.
[email protected] says
Holy. get it? “Holy Cow”. 😉
[email protected] says
That’s awesome!
Tom Kondrchek says
Smedley
[email protected] says
Oink or ribbit or dinner
Caren Wolfe says
Love this! I think we all need a good cow picture! What a great reminder that laughter is a gift from God and can me like medicine for our souls.
A.H. says
I would name it Mooses ( moo + Moses ! ) For side splitting laughing!!!!!
James Shupe says
Because of her magnificent ears……Earlene!