“A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.”
–Phyllis Diller
How important is humor? Don’t ask a humor researcher because they are already fighting an uphill battle to get the respect they deserve.
Seriously, with all the snow and everything in life being rearranged because of it, I had a hard time finding humor this week–I spent alot of time whining about the snow. Dennis finally said to me, “Jan, Paul wrote Philippians, the “Joy” chapter in the Bible, when he was in prison.” That made me laugh…and I realized that I had let circumstances control my attitude.
Yep, prison in Bible times was horrendous. Many times the prisoners were chained to the wall, or worse yet, a guard. There were rats, diseases and no central air or heat. I am assuming they didn’t get a nice warm bath in a garden tub everyday, either. If you read through that book, Paul writes about joy and rejoicing numerous times.
We all know it is much easier to love an funny, happy person than it is to love a sad, grumpy, miserable person. Just ask Dennis. Happiness, laughter, humor and joy just make a relationship easier. When we are down, we want someone positive in our lives to lift us up out of our rut, and maybe even make us laugh.
Laughter is the best medicine. Laughing not only improves our mental state, it has been proven to benefit our circulation, lungs and muscles. Laughter boosts the immune system, protects the heart and burns calories. It triggers the release of endorphins, which are the bodies “feel-good” chemicals. Did you know that laugher is one of the first things a newborn exhibits? (I found that on the internet–it has to be true.)
Speaking of funny…in 2017, the other year of eternal snow, I went home at noon from work to get lunch. I had on a dress, tights, boots and my black, hooded, faux fur coat. I couldn’t get my car up the driveway because it had snowed that morning. I grabbed a shovel so I could clean a path to drive my car up into the garage to keep it warm. I didn’t realize that under that snow, was a sheet of ice. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back, dress and coat over my head, the shovel flying to the end of the driveway! (Go ahead, take some time and picture that in your head.) I was mortified! As I struggled to get up…very quickly…I started to laugh so hard, that I slipped again.
I don’t recall if anyone saw me. I am sure that fiasco would have been a winner on Funniest Home videos. I never did get the car up the drive either. But if that didn’t make you laugh, here are some quotes that may:
“I am thankful for laughter, except when the milk comes out of my nose.” Woody Allen
“Behind every great man is a woman rolling her eyes.” Jim Carrey
“If you’re going to do something tonight that you’ll be sorry for in the morning, sleep late.” Henny Youngman
“I used to be Snow White, but I drifted.” Mae West
“If you can’t remember my name, just say “Chocolate” and I’ll turn around.” I don’t know who said that.
“When I try on an outfit and it doesn’t make me look good, I just throw it on the floor. Like, no, you don’t deserve to be hung up. Sit there alone and think about what you’ve done.” Nobody would take credit for this one, either.
“People need to understand the difference between wants and needs. Like I want abs, and I need tacos.” Unanimous. Or is it anonymous. Whatever.
“Today, I will be as useless as the “G” in lasagna.” That’s a good one for a Monday.
I had a blast looking for funny quotes that I could actually share in this email. They made me laugh and I hope I brought a smile to your Monday. Inject some humor into your life today. Don’t take things so seriously. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Smile. Laugh. Enjoy life, because you never get out of it alive.
Happily typed,
Jan
Jan McDonald
The John Maxwell Team
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