WHAT IS THE IMPORTANCE OF LAUGHTER?
There is proof that laughter is beneficial. Norman Cousins wrote a book titled Anatomy of an Illness that became a groundbreaking best seller about combating life-threatening illness through laughter. Multiple studies have led scientists to believe that laughter reduces our stress hormones and helps lower blood pressure. But one thing that is certain is that laughing feels good.
One of my favorite memories was watching my son, Tyler, when he was a toddler playing with his younger cousin, Seth. Tyler had figured out a way to get Seth to laugh—actually to explode with laughter. They were having so much fun that they kept doing it. It was such a pure and honest sound that I felt I was listening to perfection.
“Laughter is the closest thing to the grace of God.” —Karl Barth
“The sound of laughter is like the vaulted dome of a temple of happiness.” —Milan Kundera
Laughter has always been at the center of our family life.
There wasn’t a dinner a party or a family dinner that didn’t include laughter—not just giggles but those explosions I mentioned.
My father loved to tell jokes and stories. He loved it so much that he couldn’t help laughing as he told them. We could barely get him to stop long enough to get to the punchline. Sometimes just watching him laugh was enough to set us off.
To this day my mother makes me laugh. She’s the first to laugh at herself and can’t wait to tell you what she did so you can laugh too.
When we were little, before cell phones, all calls rang in the house. My mother answered the phone and since we were all outside, she opened the window to holler who the call was for. "Allô! (hello in French)," she bellowed. And then just as loudly came an outburst of laughter—so much that she couldn’t get out who the call was for and honestly at that point it didn’t matter; we were having so much fun just listening to her and we were all laughing too.
Audrey Hepburn says it perfectly: “I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.”
Laughter is contagious. How lucky am I that I married a man who makes me laugh.
Happy Valentines DayI wish you lots of laughs and maybe a little chocolate.
What about you?
Do you have memories of laughing with total abandon? Is laughter part of your everyday life?
Let us know. I’d love to hear.
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ARLENE VAQUER
February 28, 2020
I’m sorry I missed this blog segment! Totally agree with your analysis on laughter! And it’s true as they say….laughter is the best medicine. 😂