The Humorous Side of Spirituality with a Guest and a Giveaway!

Hang on to your middles, spiritual journey friends, because I've got a side-splitting guest today. She's a comedian, a songstress, and a smarty pants of a woman with a heart as big as the world. Not to mention she's as deep as a river. How many people can you say that about?

Welcome, Jannie Funster! I adore Jannie and you know why? Because I am one of those people who can take life just a bit too seriously and she never fails to lift me out of any self-imposed pensiveness. She makes me smile and glad to be alive!

I interviewed Jannie just recently and here is what she said about spirituality and humor, who's having a good laugh in heaven, and talking to—who?—as a spiritual practice.

So read on, enjoy, and don't forget to leave the Mistress of Mirth (and me, who bows down to her) a comment because she doing a Giveaway of her very cool CD, "I Need a Man."

Jannie is also offering a pre-holiday special for the purchase of said CD. Scroll down to the bottom of her post and you will find it there. Such a deal! 


Da Da Da DAAAAAA! And now I give you Jannie Funster!

1. When and how did humor come to be such an important aspect of your life?

Well, Dearest Awakened Jan, I hail from a long line of Funsters who have roamed the world in fuzzy pants and hats with green dingle balls as far back as our records show. Internal family archives indicate all the way back to Moses' time. Apparently he was always sending the Funsters to the back of the Exodus line for poking people in the derriere with olive sticks. Playful poking of course, but not all appreciated the humor therein.

And the funsterment continues in our Kelly, now 8. I'll never forget the day I took this picture on a stroller walk when she was 6 months old. We had just returned and were sitting in the dining room, she still in that little hat in her stroller, me sipping my beer tea and knitting a kelp bikini—when she burst out belly laughing at seemingly nothing, her blue eyes and little body just a-dancing with joy. She laughed like that for a good 2 minutes, which made me follow suit of course, our mysterious olde funsterment gene kicking in big-time.

So I guess it's innate. But we all love to laugh, don't we?

Blogging is such a super-amazing fun outlet for me. For some reason when I sit and write I often find silly ideas popping out of me. And you readers send back your own nutty-fun energy and it gets to snowballing. And I love it!!

2. What do you think is the relationship between spirituality and humor?

Jan, I think there's a real physical formula to laughter and how it speaks to spirit—like the mind / body / heart connection of music. Something in laughter and songs (and hugs) gets to us on a cellular level.

I think God laughs all the time, up there cracking jokes with the angels. Bet they're always having a total hoot.

3. Where do you find yourself spiritually these days?

These days I'm growing and learning, Jan, ever trying to put into action forgiveness, understanding, patience and self-acceptance. I've been reading some great soul expansion books, such as Liara Covert's Self Disclosure, Tess Marshall's Flying By The Seat Of My Soul, and Chris Edgar's Inner Productivity (all written by fellow bloggers) which I've ravely reviewed on my site.

I am focusing on appreciating the moment—not rushing to or thinking about the next thing.

I try to dwell in gratitude for the gift of each day and for the wonderful beings in my life. I realize I am on a journey and that I am far from perfect. 'Way far from perfect!

4. What spiritual practices do you engage in ?

I talk to squirrels a lot, even tho they are not impressed with me taking their photos on the running trail. They all carry these little waiver forms they make me sign, to ensure sure I blacken out their faces. Funny little beings.

Trees are a big part of my spirituality. I climb the tallest ones when I can. Otherwise, I find ones with low-to-the-ground branches I can sing to. They love most any kind of music, but Cole Porter tunes seem to be their favorites—"Day & Night," especially. Oh, and "Girls Just Want To Have Fun," except for them I sing "Trees Just Want To Have Fun."

I delight in the pulsing hum of nature and the universe, just to contemplate being part of it and the Great Love that ties us all together is a mind-boggling practice for me.

5. Do you think some people take their spiritual lives too seriously? Why or why not?

Hmmn, Jan, I don't think one can take one's spiruality too seriously, as
we are all, to quote a song lyric of my Magic Fuzzy Pants maker friend, Kalyani—"beings of light with corporeal trends." Spirits in human form, as many believe. We must always be looking inward and monitoring if we are moving closer or further away from the light in our thoughts, words and deeds. Peace and harmony begins within.

6. If The Fun Mistress could give spiritual seekers one pearl of wisdom for living, what would it be?

Forgive people! And make sure that includes yourself.

7. Any projects coming up you'd like us to know about?

Yes, I am so excited about painting and stenciling a raw wood doll bed, table, chairs and trunk for Kelly's new American Girl doll, Kirsten. (Well, a new-used Kirsten I snagged on eBay.) I've never stenciled before and am excited. Mom and Dad's gifts to Kelly for Christmas. I'll be posting the results of that creative endeavor on my site.

And writing new songs of course, I plan on going into serious "wood-shed" mode after the turn of the new year. I've got my 10% inspiriation for the next 12, now just need to dive into that 90% perspiration.

And there you have me, Jan—raw and uncensored on your beautiful site of love and light. Thanks so much for allowing me to enter your sphere today.

Thanks, everybody! LOVE you all!!
xo

No, Thank YOU, Jannie! 

The Mistress of Mirth and I are now wondering what you all have to say ....

Leave us a comment to win that stellar CD! 

(P. S. From Jannie: "Anyone who wishes to purchase my "I Need A Man" cd will get free shipping and handling up until Dec 31st at 11:59 p.m, Texas Time. And said cd with 5 award-winning tunes is only $10.00.  And is mailed with healing funsterment vibes and organic rainbows of any aroma desired —the "jasmine first-kiss" and "sleigh ride" are my 2 most popular scents.

Learn more about Jannie, her fabulous blog, and her song writing abilities at www.janniefunster.com.

It's a show not to be missed!