Week 49: Back to School of Laughter

“After God created the world, He made man and woman. Then, to keep the whole thing from collapsing, He invented humor.” (Guillermo Mordillo)

“Happy is the person who can laugh at himself. He will never cease to be amused.” (Habib Bourguiba)

The poorest person in the world is the one who has lost the art of laughter. One day at Petaling Street, I saw a beggar laugh out loud when another fellow mate cracked a joke. But few steps away from their place, a man with tie and shining shoes was on call - shouting angrily and his face was sour as lime juice. As I ponder upon this two events right in front of me, I concluded that laughter cannot be brought or earn. Laughter belongs to everyone and everyone can laugh as long and as loud as they can. Laughter is one of human right.

 

I know that the Bible says that “Sorrow is better than laughter…” (Ecclesiastes 7:3 ESV) but you see the Bible also states that there is a time for everything, “a time to weep, and a time to laugh.” (Ecclesiastes 3:4) Laughter is not a crime. Laughter is a tranquilizer with no sides effect. Modern men and women today have become so mechanized; serious face 24-7 and even if they laugh it either forced or artificial (a.k.a. plastic). Don’t miss the fun of laughter. Don’t ever forget how to laugh! Victor Hugo once comments, “Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”

Have you heard an old time saying that “laughter is the best medicine”? Studied had proved that laughter can stimulate the immune system in our body. To laugh is to cure. Late Norman Cousins in his book, Anatomy of an Illness, testified on how he used the therapy of laughter to help him overcome a crippling disease. When he was in his hospital bed, Cousins didn’t watched T.V. program, instead he watched old Marx Brothers films and ‘Candid Camera’ shows. He was laughing naturally and genuinely. Doctors confirmed that salutary effect of laughter on his body had stimulate his body chemistry and thus, gave him pain-free sleep etc.

Richard Foster writes, “Why not! Jesus had a sense of humor – some of his parables are positively comical. There is even such a thing as ‘holy laughter,’ a frequent phenomenon in various revival movements… but whether God gives us this special grace or not, we can all experience times of wholesome laughter.” He continued, “Learn to laugh; it is a discipline to be mastered. Let go of the everlasting burden of always needing to sound profound.”

It is my habits to laugh and find something to laugh at. When watching movie I always prefer to watch comedy/funny movies rather than horror movies. I love to laugh together in the hall with hundred of strangers than to scream together. Laughter is a powerful thing! If you really want to improve your happiness, learn to laugh! The Scripture says that “He who sits in heavens laughs...” (Psalms 1:4), don’t you think that laugh is one of God’s natures too?

Come… let us go back to 'school' and learn to laugh again.

THINK BIG Laugh is free

START SMALL Laugh freely

GO DEEP Laugh is like a grace – shines on everybody.

References:

1.     Reader’s Digest Quotable Quotes; Wit & Wisdom for Every Occasion.

2.     Energy for Life audio by Anthony Robbins (interview with Norman Cousins)  


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