SOME OF THE FUNNIEST HUMOR out there is about serious stuff. George Carlin, for example, always made jokes about topics that, in any other context, would have been considered somewhere between grim and critical. Richard Pryor did a whole routine about when he set himself on fire. There are many other examples. But for those of us who are not professional comedians, dealing with life’s serious business can be downright challenging and, needless to say, not smile inducing. Yet, it may be that the healthiest approach to handling some of the crap that gets tossed our way is to remember something Nicholas Butler once said: “The one serious conviction that a man should have is that nothing is to be taken too seriously.” I’d much sooner lose my sense of taste or smell than my sense of humor, which has gotten me through everything from multiple surgeries to personal loss to the onslaught of horrific daily news. I’ve even learned to handle when the Dodgers lose games. Humor is an important means of dealing with stress, disappointment, and personal tragedy. I’m not suggesting anyone laugh at death or anything; but keeping things in perspective can do more to maintain one’s sanity than any medication, and it isn’t impacted by the greed of Big Pharm.
Hello HenryM.
Thanks for another thought provoking post. As usual, I agree with much of what you say and wish to share a rhyme from my book:'(Laugh or Lament 2019)
Best wishes
Bill
JUST FOR LAUGHS.
I write this verse for those who may
use humour in communiqué.
Witty gems that are so funny
cannot be bought for vulgar money.
Give me just one laugh a day
to keep my sadder thoughts at bay.
I would go that extra mile
to bring forth a deep-felt smile.
Sometimes it’s easy to be sad
with all the problems I have had.
But when I read those jokes out loud
it tends to lift the darkest cloud.
Jokes can lift emotions high.
They make me laugh or sometimes cry.
If they are wicked or filthy
they tend to make me feel guilty.
I feel I should not laugh at jokes
that ridicule less able folks.
For I have seen the darker half
of these things that make us laugh.
I never seemed to have the mind
to laugh at things that are unkind.
What some humour does for me
is simply raise my empathy.
I am confused to be amused
with all of my emotions fused.
That which should not make me smile
will steal my self-respect a while.
Nonetheless, I giggle too
at humour aimed at me and you.
Out goes all my good intent
as it gives way to merriment.
But I can’t seem to help myself.
Humour creeps along with stealth.
Even under saddest cloud
suddenly I’ll laugh out loud.
So I pay tribute to the ones
who produce the jokes and puns.
They bring me pleasure midst the pain.
A laugh is treasure found again.
B. Withers 2011
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Loved this, Henry, as I am all about laughter.
My brother always said to me, "If it weren't for your sense of humor, you wouldn't have any sense at all!"
The good news is that you can avoid them with some small changes in your diet.