This story also confirms that we have no control over what happens to us but have one hundred percent control over what we do whensomething happens which we don’t like.

My wife, Madhuri and I frequently travel round the world hopping from place to place. It was 2005 and we were about to leave Zurich after a hectic 7 day teachers training. Just before we left we spent some time with Vijay Singh our laughter leader who had settled in Zurich since the last 40 years.

We were having a good laugh at the coffee shop while waiting for our flight to Munich. After an hour we proceeded for security check

and immigration. Normally, it’s just a customary check at the counter as Madhuri and I are regular travelers. But as luck would have it there was some snag. I was told that we had overstayed in Switzerland. We were there for 12 days while our visa only allowed us 8. I had overlooked the number of days as we usually used get permission for over 15 days. The officer made us stand on the side while he consulted his senior. Madhuri was worried that we might miss our flight. Fortunately, the officer was convinced that it was a genuine mistake and warned us to be careful in the future and we proceeded to board the flight.

As if this was not enough, another problem awaited us at Munich airport. We had to catch a connecting flight to Amsterdam and there was very little time left. First, the immigration officers delayed us by asking too many questions and to top it all – we missed the transit gate, instead made an exit from the airport! To take the flight, we had to go through the entire immigration process once again.

There was just five minutes left for the flight to take off. We ran like Olympic athletes and by the time we reached the boarding counter we were out of breath. It was really not our day. The aircraft had already closed and was on the taxi way. Our luggage was removed from the plane as we had not reached in time for identification. We could do nothing. We started laughing much to the surprise of the lady at the counter. She told us that she never saw anyone laughing while missing a flight. She was surprised when we told her that we are the founders of Laughter Yoga Clubs and was quite amused.

After some time, Lufthansa Airlines booked us on KLM and was even kind enough to give us two lunch coupons as a bonus for missing the flight. We had some great Italian food at Munich airport which was a treat! Sitting on the airport Madhuri and I discussing about the Indian belief system that what ever happens, happens for the good which is also the philosophy we teach in our workshops. We wondered what was behind all the troubles we went going through and what was good in it.

Finally, we boarded the plane and landed safely in Amsterdam. On landing we found that one of our big bags was totally damaged en route. Madhuri was about to get upset but we looked at each other and started laughing again. After taking out our frustration through laughter, we went to lodge a complaint at the airline counter and laid a claim for a new bag. KLM officials were sorry for the damage and immediately compensated our loss.

Madhuri was very happy when the officer presented a brand new Samsonite soft bag as a replacement for our worn out hard bag. We looked at each other again and smiled knowingly. This was it. God made us miss the flight – just to get a brand new bag!!!

Looking back at the entire sequence of events, despite negative situations happening one after the other, we kept our spirits alive and this is what we believe is the gift of laughter which helps us during challenging times. In India we believe that there is always a balance of opposite energies in every part of our life and that there are ups

and downs in daily existence. In fact, I’m forever prepared for some shock here and there. I’ve realized that this is how life intended to be. Conflicting situations are a part of its intrinsic design. But remember, there’s always a blessing in disguise. We may be unaware of it and may feel betrayed but time proves the goodness hidden in it. Perhaps this is nature’s way of give and take.