We all need a good laugh now and then, don’t we? But how often do we really get a good laugh? Laughter is anatomically caused by the epiglottis constricting the larynx; not exactly a definition that will cause the reaction it is describing, but it does answer the question what exactly is a laugh – which at times seems like we can forget in our busy lives.
We have on our power suit and power tie; we have our venti, mocha, soy, non-fat, some-fat, triple shot, extra hot…..um, coffee. We have our iPhone, iPod, iPad and anything else we deem cool enough to throw the lower case “i” in front of. We are ready to be our own Ferris Buhler and take the world on, but we are missing one of the most powerful tools when it comes to human relationships: a smile.
Don’t get me wrong, I am all about getting your game face on, strategizing and planning your next move up the ladder, but I wonder if sometime we can take it a bit too far. If you find yourself getting easily irritated with the server at the restaurant, honking when the person in front of you doesn’t act like Mario Andretti the instant the light turns green, or think to yourself that with the amount of tension headaches you have been having lately you should probably sign an advertising endorsement with Tylenol, then you probably have been taking yourself and life a little too serious.
Let me encourage you to make it a habit to laugh every single day. I am not talking about the little inconspicuous, cover-your-mouth-because-someone-might-see-you-laugh. No, the kind of laugh I am talking about is the: milk coming out of your nose, side-hurting, tear-bringing laugh. Try it. I think you will like it.
The Bible speaks of laughter. It relates laughter to joy and singing because of all that the Lord has done. Psalm 126:2-3 says: We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!
I know life has its ups and downs. It does for everyone. We all have stresses, pressures, and responsibilities. But if you sit back and realize how good the Lord has been to us, and the fact that He said He will never leave us or forsake us. Life will take on a completely different perspective. If you realize all that the Lord has done in your life and the blessings that you have, I think you will share the Psalmist point of view and laugh and sing with joy.
This week let me challenge you to find someone you can laugh with on a regular basis; A spouse, a co-worker, a friend, or even Charlie Brown and the gang in the comic section of the paper. Laugh at: the little ironies of life, those awkward moments of life, those silly things your kids do, hilarious YouTube videos that you have to watch over and over, re-runs of Seinfeld (my favorite), the fact that the only time my gas tank is on “E” is when I am running late, or anything else that you find hilarious.
However, if you are one of those folks that “humor” is not your thing, you have no great stories to share, no funny one-liners, and not a single joke that would ever make anyone at least crack a smile, you are in luck my friend. Have I got a joke for you! It is both extremely corny and cheesy. It may not be milk-coming-out-of-your-nose-funny, but it will bring a smile to your face. Feel free to cut this joke out and claim it as your own, I won’t tell.
There was a mama bird, a papa bird, and a baby bird. They were trying to decide which way to fly for the winter. The mama bird said: “My instincts tell me to fly south” The papa bird said: “Well, my instincts tell me to fly north” Then the baby bird thought for a minute and said: “Well my end stinks too, but it doesn’t tell me anything!”
Be honest. You at least smiling now, aren’t you?