Oh, For A Sense Of Humor

4 Apr

“I know not all that may be coming, but be it what it will, I’ll go to it laughing.” 
Herman Melville, Moby-Dick or, the Whale

Some people have told me through the years that I make light of situations too easily.  I’m not sure I would agree with them but, if I did disagree with them, would probably do so in the form of a joke. Seriously, I do believe in levity.  I grew up with the Reader’s Digest and one of the things I first turned to each month was the page entitled “Laughter: The Best Medicine.”  That, along with “Humor in Uniform”, would give me chuckles that would get me through the day.

I know that laughter helps to break the ice.  It also helps to break stressful situations and can act as a means for people to get to know each other.  It can diffuse tense or angry situations.  It can even help those who are grieving.  I do my best to make people smile or laugh early in homilies at funerals.  I find that, when family members can laugh, they calm down and can better listen to the homily in which I try to give them hope, peace, and comfort.

I remember getting prepared for surgery one time and telling the doctor, “If I die, you can have my stereo.”  He told me that I shouldn’t even be talking like that.  I told him the joke was on him because I didn’t have a stereo.  The nurses started to belly laugh and the surgeon commended me on my attitude.

I believe that humor can be found in anything and if we find the humor, we will be able to look at whatever it is we are facing, even grave or dangerous situations.

Do you take life too seriously?  Do you take yourself too seriously?  It might help to find the humorous in your life as well as identify all the bad or horrible stuff.  Laughing at ourselves can help to diffuse tension or anxiety and give us the opportunity to view things with a clear mind and a lighter heart.

FAITH ACTION:  Ask God for the grace not to take yourself too seriously.