Humor

Leaving the world a bit better.

Posted on by Shari Swanson

We all want to succeed, but what is the metric for measuring whether we’ve been successful? There are so many. Money, status, power, bucket lists, fame, travel… but what of the little things? Are you successful if you have enough money to buy a small country but no one to love or trust? Is it success if you are famous but lonely? If you have power but wield it to cause pain and misfortune to others, how can that be considered success? If you’ve traveled the world but not been truly present anywhere, does that count?

Perhaps true success at this thing called life is as simple as Emerson’s thoughts above. To leave the world a bit better, to ease the burdens of others, to look for and bring out the best in others, to do no harm. These all matter, maybe not in measurable concrete ways, but in ways we can all feel and appreciate if not count. More important, these are all things we each can do. We have the ability to be successful beyond our wildest imaginings.

And don’t forget to laugh often and much. Finding the joy and not letting it slip right past you undetected is important, too.

A dose of funny.

Posted on by Shari Swanson

The world lost a great comedian last week. Bob Newhart, the mild-mannered former accountant with his disarming stammer and boy like charm, always delivered the funny.

Here’s a classic to enjoy in honor of his passing:

https://youtu.be/hGZ3oVi1sUs?feature=shared

He told us:

People with a sense of humor tend to be less egocentric and more realistic in their view of the world and more humble in times of success and less defeated in times of travail.

To be humble in times of success and less defeated in times of travail is a worthy goal because no matter what comes, there will always be ups and downs. Such is life.

Tickling the funny bone.

Posted on by Shari Swanson

dogs

They comfort us, love us, trust us, understand us and make us laugh.We chuckle when they scratch at the door only to steal our seat when we get up to let them out. Sometimes their funny little ways can brighten our days. But what can we do to make them laugh? How can we amuse them? In a blast from the past, very young comic Steve Martin answers this question in a way that is sure to brighten your day.

Tickle someone’s funny bone.

Posted on by Shari Swanson

L'englelaugh

We need to periodically take time out to laugh– for self-preservation and to enhance the quality of our lives. Things can easily get too heavy, too fraught, too dire. A good laugh can release the tension and help us to regain our balance.

To assist in the laughing department, take a look at this BBC clip ascribing voices to odd animal behavior. It’s a good one. 🙂

 

Lighten up

Posted on by Shari Swanson

groucho

Heard a good joke lately? Watched a funny cat video perhaps? Maybe a picture of a spaniel in a Groucho mask?

Humor is always good for the heart and soul. It can even, maybe, cure what ails you. Dr Cynthia Thaik, a cardiologist, says:

An old Yiddish proverb says, “What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.” Everyone knows that laughter makes you feel good and puts you in high spirits, but did you also know that laughter actually causes physiological responses that protect the body from disease and help your vital organs repair themselves? A good laugh can be compared to a mild workout, as it exercises the muscles, gets the blood flowing, decreases blood pressure and stress hormones, improves sleep patterns and boosts the immune system. Furthermore, a study by the John Hopkins University Medical School showed that humor and laughter can also improve memory and mental performance. Yet despite the fact that laughter has so many benefits, far too many of us forget to even crack a smile every once in a while, let alone laugh.

She suggests some ways to lighten up with humor. Finding the humor in a bad situation can make it better. Mirth releases endorphins and is contagious, a twofer! Surrounding yourself with funny people or remembering funny incidents can lift your mood.

Take time to laugh today. If you need help finding your funny, consider this. Or you can always get a dog and put him in a Groucho mask.