Live, laugh, and love. This ubiquitous phrase has been replicated in various formats, including journal covers, stickers, T-shirts, paintings, posters, and much more. Although people throughout the years have misattributed this idiom to Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bessie Anderson Stanley was the original wordsmith. The expression was an excerpt from her 1904 poem titled “Success.” The poem began: “He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often, and loved much.” Stanley entered the prize-winning submission in a contest held by Brown Book Magazine in which contestants were asked to define success.
For decades, the sentiment of live, laugh, and love had become a rallying cry. However, it was not ubiquitous during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, where many individuals struggled with loss, despair, and depression. For some, live, laugh, and love became barely exist, scowl, and mourn. During that season of darkness, trials and tragedies reduced life to the simple passage of time, where days hemorrhaged into years and laughter and love seemed elusive.
Fortunately, as the seasons changed and the darkness waned, we learned that hope is indestructible. For some of us, the passage of time reminded us of God’s covenant in Isaiah 61, where he promised to give us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Those words are reminders that when we face moments of trial, we should remember to cast our anchor on hope and God’s promises. In other words, we need to hang on to the Word of God, which promises hope and restoration. Below are a few great verses to read during difficult times.
Live Well
Matthew 11:28 (NIV)
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Laugh Often
Luke 6:21 (NIV)
Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
Job 8:21 (NIV)
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
Love Much
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Luke 6:31 (NIV)
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
Challenge:
Sometimes, in order to live, laugh, and love, you have to change your perspective and/or your environment. This week, challenge yourself to these simple tasks that you can do at home or with little effort:
Live
Take a walk (e.g., around the block, the beach, or a park).
Dance (put on your favorite tune and burn some calories).
Meditate.
Journal.
Laugh
Read a funny comic. (There are plenty of free ones on the Internet.)
Laugh out loud.
Recount a funny story with a friend.
Love
Do something kind for someone else.
Do something kind for yourself.
This week:
Live well. Laugh often. Love much.
Biblical References:
New International Bible. (2011). The NIV Bible. https://www.thenivbible.com (Original work published 1978)