A Toast to Laughter
A friend of mine gave me this cute cup for my birthday one year–not long after my husband Charles died. I appreciated it even more than a condolence card lovely as that is. I did need to giggle more and to chuckle, smile, and laugh out load. I had become too serious, at least when I was alone and away from the gaze of others.
Some time later while preparing for a talk and when writing a chapter in my latest book, Laughing All the Way: Wit, Wisdom, and Willpower for the Golden Years, I discovered humor in some unexpected places. For example, Martin Luther, father of the Reformation, and a serious theologian, made no bones about the funny side of life. “If I’m not allowed to laugh in heaven, then I don’t want to go there,” he said, ready to enjoy a good laugh.
American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr went so far as to say, “Humor is, in fact, a prelude to faith and laughter is the beginning of prayer.”
I love that one—‘a prelude to faith and the beginning of prayer.’ What a beautiful perspective. With that thought in mind we need never be worried or embarrassed to smile at life and even laugh about it.
When the elders of Charles Spurgeon’s church asked him to tone down his humor in the pulpit, the famous minister was quick to respond: “Gentlemen, if you only knew how much I held back!”
I’m thinking life would be pretty challenging if we didn’t stop and let out a good belly laugh once in awhile—even several times a day. Many of these great preachers and writers of the past knew this and practiced it in their own lives, despite the sadness and evil in the world around them.
“Your sense of humor is one of the most powerful tools you have to make certain that your daily mood and emotional state support good health,” says Paul E. McGhee, Ph.D., a pioneer in humor research.
American clergyman and activist Harry Ward Beecher once said, “Mirth is God’s best medicine. Everybody ought to bathe in it.”
Voltaire, French philosopher and author put humor and health into perspective in his life during the seventeenth century. “The art of medicine consists of keeping the patient amused while nature heals the disease.”
And finally the late comedienne Phyllis Diller, at age 93 said, “Laughter fluffs up every cell in your body.”
So hooray for fluffy cells as we grow older. 🙂 And for finding ways each day to tickle our funny bones.
How do you keep a smile on your face? Let’s share some ideas for living on the funny side of the street.
Karen, I love this. I look for the humor in every situation. When I find it, I share it. It gives both parties a lift. Sometimes humor blows over peoples’ heads, but so what? At least one person (me) got to laugh and fluff up my old cells! Thanks for the reminder to worry less and giggle more. That’s one of the big reasons I love you—we giggle a lot together.
Thanks for your comment, dear giggle partner. 🙂
Karen, I feel sorry for people who can’t laugh and even more sorry for people who can’t cry. We need both. BTW I was called “giggle box” as a child.
Marie
I love giggle box! Thanks for sharing that.
Hi there ‘giggle box.’ What a cute nickname. A real salute to your humor and uplifting attitude.
I think the best way to enjoy laughing is with a child. The laughter of Children is contagious. Just being around them makes me smile. Watching their joy for life and the adventure of learning is rejuvenating.
My mother had a saying, “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours!” Great advice I think. I try to follow it.
I love your mother’s advice. I’ll practice it.
Humor is hard some times. But so needed. Thanks for the great reminder.
I agree. Sometimes it’s a challenge to find the humor in situations but if we can, it helps.
Years ago I heard the saying, “laughter is good medicine” and I do believe it to be true- even more so today. For me, it’s helped chase away the “blues,” put seriousness in perspective and it’s even helped lower my blood pressure. Just what the doctor ordered. And to think you get all this and more from laughter— and without any co-pay! Marvelous!
I like what you said about no co-pay and yet laughter is medicine for sure, as is prayer.
Laughing is Fun! Life would be boring without it.
But I’ve often wondered if humans are the only creatures who can laugh. Do animals? Beings on planets in other galaxies?
Heaven must be full of laughter.
I want to believe there will be plenty of laughter in heaven.
I was one of seven children and Dad always loved a funny story and all of us grew up with an awesome sense of humor. I was fortunate! The bible tells us that a “Merry heart doeth good like a medicine” and I am always saying that Laughter doeth good like a medicine-just a little diferent from the Bible! Some one once said: ” if you think that God did not have a sense of humor, just look in the mirror!” not so sure I would want to say THAT to anyone!! As for a smile-just remember that a smile improves your face value.
Thanks for another good one, Karen. Love to you. Margaret
I’ve heard that a smile is the best facelift–and no surgery involved.
What a good reminder, Karen. With the stress of the past few weeks I have laughed less; as we’ve begun to relax and finish some things, Don and I find ourselves laughing more often. And what a gift that is!
Glad you’re smiling again, Carol. You have such a beautiful one, I might add. 🙂
Karen, it’s ‘me’ again. I forgot to write something very important! I met my ‘future best friend’ when we were three years old, and we remained in constant touch with each other for 87 years! We giggled every time we looked at each other and maybe that is one reason we have lived so long. She died at 91 years and that is my age now. I miss her but I am still gigging just remembering the times were together.Thanks for “listening” again. I also still giggle thinking of the times your Charles and I sat on my front porch telling each other our problems – my problem was the boy I liked in school never even looked at me! More love to you. Margaret
Thanks, Margaret. You have so many wonderful memories to share. I will turn 81 (just ten years younger than you) on April 8 and I hope to live to your age and beyond and to keep smiling.
Margaret I love what you wrote!
I agree, Sandy.
A good laugh is like an “apple a day”. It feels good to laugh and don’t forget to laugh at yourself. I do some funny things at times!
As we grow older the things we do–do bring laughter for sure. Oh those senior moments. 🙂
Karen what a great reminder about laughter and joy. It makes me so happy when I do art projects with my grand daughters. The get so excited to paint, play with clay, make cards with the embossing machine and to make illustrations to stories that they dictate to me. Their enthusiasm and excitement lights my soul. Also, I have a bunch of musical instruments when they come to my home and they love to play them. Now my 8 month grand daughter started creating with markers. I had to hold her hand so she wouldn’t eat it. Thank you for your reminder about laughter. I love you Karen.
Thanks for sharing your sweet activities with your grandchildren. I’ve done similar things with my kids and my ‘grands’ when they were younger. It’s such fun to share smiles and laughter with them too.
Thank you Karen, this is so true! After all laughter is the best medicine! Sending love, and hugs to you and yours, Walter and Cathy Hopper. Authors of Miracles in Red. I’m sure it wouldn’t be hard not to remember Clarence, and Fannie Bell, our residential cardinals. God is still sending them everyday along with many other birds we’ve named, and welcomed into our yard. Would you believe they all love grapes! We are now writing, and illustrating a children’s picture book all about all our little bird miracles. May God continue to bless you with laughter.
So good to hear from you, Cathy, and to know that your bird friends are still visiting you and bringing new guests. You’ve been given a special gift to these creatures of God.
Fluffy cells…yes there is a release and a warm all over feeling when a good belly laugh happens. A gentle smile and a twinkle in ones eyes also has its place. What a wonderful topic. I enjoy someone with a well developed sense of humor. Thank you, Karen
Joan
Thank you, Joan. It seems I’ve hit a popular topic this week with humor as the theme. I think we all appreciate the gift of laughter, especially during tough times.
I love this topic, Karen. Humor is such a gift, and I believe Jesus had a great sense of humor. My favorite movies are comedies. My grandkids make me laugh and they laugh easily when I make silly faces. My chickens make we laugh too. When I give them a worm I’ve found in the garden they fight over it, and it looks like a cartoons. Thanks, Karen. I’ve enjoy all these wonderful comments that you inspired.
Thanks, Pam. It is always good to hear from you and to know you are enjoying life and finding ways to laugh and smile. It’s so good for each one of us to live on the ‘sunny side of the street.’