Amusement is one of the ten recognized positive emotions* (along with: Gratitude, Hope, Joy, Love, Pride, Serenity, Awe, Inspiration and Interest ). I often seem to overlook or forget this wellness experience.  Amusement in this context is defined as:  

Something non-threatening, non-serious , that unexpectantly happens that makes you laugh.  A joyful surprise.*

Has the world become too sophisticated and sanitized, forgetting to embrace such an innocent and almost naïve feeling?  In a cynical age, it isn’t very cool to be amused by small things: being dark, moody and rather above such things gets you far more kudos in this world. Perhaps our expectations and standards about what will surprise us or make us laugh have become too high and demanding.  What happened to just being curious, light-hearted, and alive in the present moment? 

 Amusement is an important emotion as it connects us to others: it is contagious. The non-threatening, non-serious, unexpectant nature of amusement creates a safe, welcoming space for improved social engagement.

 Amusement also entails a willingness to be joyfully surprised.  It requires us to drop our judgemental, defensive guard.  Just maybe things are going well, and we don’t want to admit it. Embracing awe and wonder in a proactive manner empowers the other nine positive emotions to come into their own.  

 Unfortunately, our surprise potential may have become jaded.  The daily news cycle where mis-fortune and mis-justice is “praised” and normalized has dulled our senses to beautiful things and experiences.  Amusement and surprise are admittedly uninteresting and not newsworthy, but enormously real and personal. Amusement, like awe and serenity, requires humility and a willingness to accept and embrace our smallness and insignificance.  And that is one of the most essential steps to mindful wellness.

There are so many opportunities to be mindfully amused and joyfully surprised, all within easy reach, if you are willing to risk being in the awesome present moment.

Reflection Source: www.Smallercup.org

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*: Positivity by Barbara Fredrickson