Serious thoughts about humor and comic relief – what will serve us all best?
“The source of all humor is not laughter, but sorrow.”
– Mark Twain (lauded as the “greatest humorist [the US] has produced”)
Bob Newhart – Stop It 6 minutes, 20 seconds
To all our highly valued clients and acquaintances:
Again, I appreciate the privilege to be communication with you. Thank you.
This “Stop It” video can serve as a mental health moment? Cheap therapy? If we lost our center? If we don’t feel grounded? If we need time to reset and get back on our flight path? It (and other humor like it) may serve as a pattern interrupt and a reminder of what we might do whenever our thoughts and emotions seem to be reeling out of control – like an anchor.
In the face of so much uncertainty and much grief, humor (born out of pain) can express our humility, empathy, compassion, perspective and humanity.
It can help to alleviate stress, provided that we are sensitive and appropriate – knowing to whom we speak/text and how it might land for them – what’s our level of rapport and trust and how will it likely be received – as a moment to share our connectedness or even to self-deprecate and tell on ourselves.
I understand that it can help to develop our intellect (many say I could use some of that 😊😊) – possibly defuse hostility and tension – can even allow us to have fun in the face of whatever, as we deal with serious issues at hand.
A friend of mine shot off on an unbelievable rant a few months back that left me speechless (I know – that’s really hard to do😊) and he finished by saying “Don’t worry, I’m not complaining, I’m just explaining”. I loved that and have been using that phrase ever since, when my self-expression calls for it. I consider it right up there with “other than that, I don’t feel that strongly about it”
As human beings, we all bomb, from time to time – we might say something that lands like a lead balloon. If (whenever?) that happens, as the expression goes, don’t just stand there, do something – change it up – create it newly.
I think we have a marathon ahead – humor has a place to keep our spirits up.
As part of Collateral Beauty for Today’s Times, a few items to consider:
On a serious note, for the sake of developing our sensitivity, empathy and compassion muscles, see We Are Not All In The Same Boat.
Or a recently released video by professional speaker Jeanne Robertson
Don’t Waste the Quarantine – 1 minute 46 seconds
https://www.jeannerobertson.com/ Jeanne Robertson specializes in hilarious humor based on her life experiences. Speaking to thousands of people annually, she utilizes her positively funny style to illustrate that humor is much more than a laughing matter. It is a strategy for success.
Let’s keep connecting and authentically communicating – at your service… What are you seeing and hearing out there that could help all of us?
Coach Don
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