When lives fall apart in a flash

LIFE can be short – but it’s still the longest thing any of us will ever have.

It’s too easy to say we should make the most of every moment.

We all know it’s not that simple.

It can be hard, frustrating, challenging and will knock you to the floor when you least expect it.

I was getting a haircut on Monday morning when my barber took a phone call mid-trim.

He left me in the chair.

His cousin had been killed in the earthquake that devastated Turkey just hours earlier.

The lives of his whole family had been turned upside down by Mother Nature.

No matter how much we think we are in control, the rug can be pulled from under us at any time.

It would be nice if we lived in a world where we’d have a safe place to land when it happens.

But politicians and billionaires tend not to make where we live a nicer place for all of us.

The pure greed and self interest of many of the Government and the energy baron billionaires are hitting the poorest hardest right now.

They’re all right Jack – but screw the rest of us.

The one thing we all have – and that nobody can take from us – is humour, laughter and joy. So the news that Brits are suffering a “laughter deficit”, with many unable to say when they last chuckled, is deeply depressing.

People are not getting enough giggles, with as many as 42% of us not remembering the last time we laughed out loud.

It may not be that surprising looking at recent times. Turn on the TV news and you’re hit with more distressing scenes than a Christmas episode of EastEnders. If I’m down I would normally head to the pub with mates – or a loved one, or a work colleague – and put the world to rights. But with the price of a beer these days that’s becoming a luxury.

It’s as if they want us all to be miserable.

So grab some time with those who make you laugh the hardest – in person, on the phone, or on a video call.

It costs nothing – and they’ll never take it away from us.

Are you having a laugh? If not, why not?