Of course, we have all heard that laughter is the best medicine, and I tend to agree. Both smiles and laughter can lighten a burden, inspire hope, and simply make you feel good.
Many moons ago, I dated a famous comedian that had a pretty challenging upbringing. Like many comedians, he found a way to find humor in his own personal circumstance. I remember being extremely upset about not getting booked for a job I wanted and I fell to pieces upon hearing the bad news. I went into the bathroom, sat on the floor and cried. I was a mess. After he checked to see if I was okay (and not physically hurt), Mr. Comedian broke out into uncontrollable laughter. OMG...I was soooo insulted and hurt. He coerced me from my spot in the corner, got me to stand up and look at myself in the mirror...and (laughing now)...I looked TERRIBLE. Within seconds, we were both standing in the mirror laughing hysterically at my snotty nose, my bloodshot eyes, my runny mascara and my messed up hair. Ooooo...I looked baaaaad. That was the day (over 20 years ago) I learned to laugh at myself...and I haven't taken myself very seriously ever since. =)
With the understanding that being taunted and teased is NO FUN, can you find any humor in it?
What do you do to make yourself smile or laugh?
Do you believe that laughter is the best medicine?
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Things that make me smile are tv shows that I love. Books that I just can't put down. I often laugh at myself because I crack myself up.
ReplyDeleteAs an adult, I can laugh a lot more than when I was younger. I don't think it's as easy when you're a kid or teenager.
I think as I've matured, I've learned to laugh more and to try not to take things TOO seriously (depending on the situation). Don't get me wrong, teasing (and anything that causes torment or pain) is no laughing matter and is serious business because it can indeed have lasting effects on people.
ReplyDeleteSo, as a teenager (or a younger person) it's more difficult to look at the big picture, which is the ignorance of another person who throws out the insults. To this day (a few weeks ago), I get extremely angry at insults, but after I've had a while to reflect on a situation, I laugh and attempt to find some humor in it.
I've learned my time here on Earth is too valuable to spend a majority of it walking around harboring anger at ignorance and acts of hatred.
Yes laughter is the best medicine. I love to laugh. I crack jokes all of the time and I have friends that enjoy telling jokes as well. I also enjoy watching funny tv shows or movies. I try not to take life so seriously where I can't find the humor in simple things in life. I believe laughter will keep me young. Its good for the soul.
ReplyDeleteMy uncle always said his own version of a famous quote "Laugh and the whole world laughs with you...cry and you are S&^% out of luck". He would be the first to crack a smile or a joke at his own expense. He was so quick with the jokes that we would often forget what the issue was. He was good at that- it was a way to disarm the negative feelings of the moment. He and my mom taught me to laugh when things are rough because it will help me later.
ReplyDeleteI had an experience early in life where I was completely humiliated in front of many kids at school and had about 300 people laugh at me. I managed to hold it together till I was by myself. Then I cried my eyes out. When my mom came to get me she told me to stop crying - she said laughter will help give me perspective (I disagreed at the time because they all laughed at me and it didn't help) and help me feel better. She helped me recover from my embarrassing moment and then told me a joke. She told me to keep the joke in my head in order to keep me smiling and laughing. When I went back to the place where I was humiliated I was able to laugh about it and laugh with the other folks. From then on I have been able to laugh at most things that come to me whether good or bad. Laugher is a way to channel stress and remind yourself that life is not so bad.
I am very sarcastic and am the first one with a joke or a good one liner. When things get tough on work calls - I will always drop a line to lighten the mood. I think laughter is a wonderful way to combat small minds(which equals prejudice to me).
Sometimes the only way to stay sane is to laugh. The best way for me is to spend time with my cousins. They are 7, 4, and 9 months. They drive me crazy, but they keep me laughing.
ReplyDeleteI guess this sounds mean, but my laughter is that I consider myself to be successful. I earned a B.A. from U.C. Berkeley and a M.A. from Stanford. I enjoy a great teaching career and have a wonderful family. In short, I got out. Unfortunately, none from my family or my circle of friends did. Now, the only time I go back home besides visiting my mom is to attend a funeral. And when I see my childhood friends they look at least 10 to 15 years older than me and are now say they wish they had done what I did.
ReplyDeleteLaughter is the best medicine and I pride myself in being very silly. I noticed that folks that take themselves too seriously are more stressed than those who do not. I can find laughter in most circumstances. Laughter and music can pull me out of any funk.
ReplyDeleteI agree that laughter is the best medicine,and I try to find humor in any situation possible. I don't take myself or anyone else too seriously; if someone teases me or makes a joke about me I realize that MOST of the time people really don't mean any harm or insult. I love laughing, and I will sit with my kids and watch the silliest...no plot having....poorly produced...bad acting all through movie that I can possibly find, if it makes us laugh. To make myself smile or laugh I watch comedians, I read the silly jokes on the popsicle stick and play silly pranks on my husband and kids just to have something to laugh about.
ReplyDeleteMy husband is a very sound sleeper, and when I need a good laugh I think about the time I painted his toenails while he was asleep. Did I mention that I used hot pink? This man walked around all day and had to be told by our youngest daughter while pointing at his feet, "Daddy, look what mommy did". That was more than ten years ago, and we all still laugh about that.
Laughter is certainly a great thing! Finding the ability to laugh and not take yourself too seriously is something that comes with maturiy, though. The things that make me laugh the most are my daughters' innocent perceptions of things, reflections of how seriously I took myself and my circumstances in the past, conversations with girlfriends and well written comedies.
ReplyDelete-With the understanding that being taunted and teased is NO FUN, can you find any humor in it?-
ReplyDeleteMaybe one day, when I write a book or screenplay or comedy routine about it. It could have been funny if I’d been armed with really wickedly funny comebacks at the age of 10, Chris-Rock-style. I think there must be potential for humor – but I can’t think of any right now (smile).
-What do you do to make yourself smile or laugh?-
I talk to funny friends or look up ridiculous videos on the internet, or comedy routines I love.
-Do you believe that laughter is the best medicine?-
Sure! It does great things for your endorphins and oxygen intake. . .