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Laughter is good medicine.
"Laughter is the voice of human triumph!" --Phyllis Tickle
Back in September of 2001, just a few weeks after 9/11...I was hosting a live chat event with then Religion Editor of Publisher's Weekly Magazine, Phyllis Tickle, when she made the above quote. It was in response to this question, "When is it okay to laugh again?"
Pretty powerful response during a very sensitive time, and I think of that response often.
Working in comedy myself, the biggest joy for me is being able to make someone laugh...to entertain. There is little in life that has brought a bigger rush than those moments...of knowing that the audience is having a great time.
Growing up...I was a good kid, but I got hurt a lot, I embarrassed myself a lot, I was a klutz, had a bad case of buck-teeth among other things...so I learned to be tough skinned. I think my sense of humor as I got older was a result of learning to laugh at my screw-ups and unfortunate events as a kid.
As a society...especially when it comes to our careers...we take ourselves WAY TOO SERIOUSLY! We put so much importance on the field we work in, salary, job title, where our office is located, parking spot, and whether or not the boss liked my idea or not. (Did you notice how he grimaced when I made that suggestion...is it just me or am I getting fired?) Basically, we take ourselves very seriously.
The funny thing is...we love playing out the drama when things go bad. We love "acting out" what we think we are supposed to be feeling...even if we don't really feel that way. We see it on TV, we see it in the movies...it makes for great entertainment...but we don't need to make it our reality.
Think about this...the only difference between a drama and a comedy...is how you respond. Do you make it a Seinfeld moment...or an ER tragedy (Must See Thursday's!!!!!)
It's your TV show...your movie...and your response dictates whether you take the serious route or choose to find the humor (even if it's not very funny). But you can choose!
A couple of weeks ago I started not feeling well after dinner. I knew I needed to throw-up, but it was taking forever. Finally, it was time, so I got on all fours, leaned over the toilet, and...you know. But, I got this pain in my chest that hurt so bad...the next thing I know I was waking up on the bathroom floor.
I couldn't figure it out...I could hear the TV...the floor was cold...and I figured out that I must have passed out. As I got up I realized I was bleeding over my eye...because I must have hit my head on the toilet seat. So, I got up, sat on the toilet seat to get my senses...and then started laughing. My stomach still felt awful...but it was a funny turn of events. I looked like I got in a fistfight, but the only culprit was the toilet seat (Yeah, but you should see the seat!).
The next morning I was fine...I told my wife what happened...and she felt awful that she couldn't help. I said, "Why? I thought it was funny. No use making it more than it was." And that was that.
I love the Bible, but I am not a Bible scholar. I am positive though that there are many characters in the Bible who had to find themselves laughing at their difficult circumstances. Did Noah ever take a step back and ponder what he was doing...or did Moses look out across the sea and think to himself, "I'm not getting punk'd here...am I?" And Jesus ...when he told the group of men looking to stone the woman, "Those who have not sinned among you, cast the first stone." Is it possible he was thinking after saying that, "Ewwwww...I hope this works!"
Inside, I just think that if we don't always take ourselves so seriously...we will be better equipped not to respond so seriously. If you go back to Phyllis' quote, or another popular quote that "Laughter is the best medicine," you begin to see that laughter and humor represent strength. It is the ability to detach yourself from all of the drama surrounding a difficult situation, and find a higher perspective. Mainly, the sun will rise in the morning, people still love you, and God is still in control. Because really, as soon as we begin to believe that we are the one in control...than it is definitely time for a reality/spiritual check...a reminder that Love, Spirit, Mind is in control, and all we need to do is connect with that goodness. Even if you did just accidentally offend someone and now have your foot stuck in your mouth.
The next time you are feeling the pressure, feeling like your toes are being stepped on, or really just screwed up. Relax, laugh, and triumph. You’re probably not that important anyway ;) I’m joking…but seriously folks…
Now, if you will excuse me...I am going to go head-butt some more inanimate objects!!
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