No laughing matter
The past year has been challenging to say the least. Challenging, uncertain, disappointing, directionless, empty , even colourless at times. I’ve reflected deeply about this lately…about this great mixture of emotions churning through our cauldrons of discontent during this current time. We’re all probably tired. Tired of the media press conferences, tired of lock downs, tired of not knowing, tired of being alone, tired of having plans that never seem to come to fruition. And yet in the midst of all this tiredness, I have observed one thing that has both surprised me and given me hope — humour.
It’s a funny thing, humour (no pun intended). By definition, it means ‘the quality of being amusing or comic, especially as expressed in literature or speech’. So why when everything seems so doom and gloom, can we still experience humour? Well, what I have learned is that humour is a useful tool. Useful for covering up when times are tough, useful for cheering up others, useful for hiding deep emotions and useful for changing mood swings. It’s like a good drug I suppose — addictive and effective, yet healthy.
My experience when interacting with others during lock down has seen humour dominate most of my interactions. It’s used in just about every conversation or communication that I have had with others as I’ve walked, talked, zoomed, coffee’d, ridden, called and emailed. The number one thing that has seemed to have gotten us all through this time, has been humour. Some might also call it sarcasm. Maybe, it’s an Aussie trait, humour and sarcasm. It seems to be evident in every part of society, our workplaces, our friendships, our meetings, our gatherings, even our spiritual groups. I really think just because it’s good — SO good for you. Just a genuine belly laugh, can cure even the flattest of feelings.
So what I have learned from this time in humanity is — keep using humour. Use it everyday if you need to. It doesn’t cost you or the other person anything, its totally free. Laughing can be contagious too. Listening to my teenagers banter, stirrings, teasing and lighthearted conversation has had me in hysterics recently, and completely shifted some of my low moods. Humour is no laughing matter, so what are you waiting for?
