LENGTHEN YOUR LIFE
WITH LAUGHTER
Humor is man's greatest blessing. - Mark Twain
As in anything in
life, levity makes our personal journey that much better. Science has proved that “Laughter is
the best medicine.” Laughter reduces
stress, pain and conflict while strengthening social bonds, ( according to Scientific American Mind).
Aging is a
process. How you feel about yourself affects
how you experience your life’s journey.
How you feel about yourself also affects others. Vast studies have been made confirming the
connection between health, healing, positive thinking, and laughter. From the laboratories at major universities
to ancient wisdom and new thought thinkers, such as Ernest Holmes who created
Religious Science, what you think is as important, (and in some cases more
important), than what you do!
Is your glass half
full or half empty? How do you really
perceive your world and those around you?
Isn’t there enough
pressure in our world without adding more to it? It seems to me that relishing in the moment,
rejoicing in accomplishments, and viewing as much as possible with a humorous
slant, can brighten the day. (I’ll certainly welcome a bouquet of happiness
with open arms! Won’t you?)
I know someone who
turns her frowns upside down as soon as she catches herself feeling down. She told me that as soon as she does that and
forces a smile, that smile soon softens and becomes natural, her thoughts
smooth over and her heart lightens. And
when she can laugh about it – just like that - everything that wasn’t “right”
suddenly dissipates.
We all encounter
people who are funny. If you over hear a
comment that tickles your funny bone, remember and use it. Then start to build on what you’ve
learned.
If you’ve never been
the sharpest comic in the room, not to worry.
Believe-it-or-not, there’s a group just for you: "The Association
for Applied and Therapeutic Humor."
Of course you can read quotes from such great humorists as Mark Twain or
watch classic comedies, (I Love Lucy, Burns and Allen, etc.) on DVD, on-line,
(YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, etc.), cable and Television. Search for the top sitcoms in the U.S., in
Britain and elsewhere. (Check out your
local library’s video section and find out what’s available for free.) You can also attend theatre shows and join
comedy workshops to up your humor.
with:
Mark Twain, The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain
Additional Reading:
Danny Murphy, Humor 101
Allen Klein, The Healing Power of Humor
Norman Cousins, Head First
Norman Cousins, Anatomy of an Illness
Resources:
