The Best Medicine
Years ago, I wrote an article titled, "I love to make my wife cry." Now, before you jump to conclusions or call for intervention, let me assure you, it was a bait-and-switch. I'm talking about laughing to the point of tears – that breathless, silent, gut-wrenching kind of laughter that leaves you weak in the knees. Because, let's face it, laughter emotes the happy chemicals in our bodies; it's super healthy and life-giving.
My wife and I have a six-year-old grandson, Emmett, who's already recognized as the class clown of kindergarten. His teacher even told us, "Emmett's not even trying!" Recently, he shared his daily mission with my wife: his goal every day is to make people laugh. Think about that for a second. In our often stressed, highly anxious, and frankly, polarized society, a little more laughter would go a long, long way.
My wife, bless her, really gets my humor. Sometimes, I'll drop something witty and off-the-cuff, and it just hits her. There's no sound, so I'll look over, and she's silently struggling, unable to breathe, she's laughing so hard. Those are the moments you live for – a shared understanding, a connection forged in pure, unadulterated joy.
Emmett's simple daily goal holds a profound lesson for all of us. Having a sense of humor isn't just about telling jokes; it's about a mindset. It's about finding the funny side of things, even when life throws curveballs. It’s about recognizing the absurd, appreciating the unexpected, and choosing to see the light in the shadows.
When we actively seek out humor, we do more than just lighten our own load. We create an infectious energy that benefits everyone around us. Laughter is a powerful connector. It breaks down barriers, eases tension, and reminds us that we're all human, navigating this wild ride together. Those shared moments of laughter, like my wife's silent fits, deepen our relationships and build stronger bonds. They create a reservoir of positive emotion we can draw from when things get tough.
So, what's your goal today? Maybe, just maybe, it could be a little more like Emmett's: to bring a bit more laughter into the world. After all, a good belly laugh is a powerful force for good, and it’s a gift we can all give freely.