Yesterday, while slogging through my day, I ran across a copy of the FAR SIDE comics in a coffee shop. After a few seconds I was chuckling, after a couple minutes I was laughing…loudly. From that point forward the entire tone of my day changed.
Laughter is good medicine, but it’ also a necessary ingredient for any person or group that is working in the emotionally difficult professions such as counseling, case-managment, Rescue Mission work, ministry, social services, and others.
In some jobs a light mood and a easy laugh is something you’ve got to cultivate and welcome, because it doesn’t happen naturally.
Here’s a few things I do to keep the mood light in difficult times:
Funny Stuff: keep a list of funny websites, books, videos that will lighten the mood.
Silly People: It’s good to hang out with people who don’t take everything so seriously. Spend time with those friends you feel comfortable enough with to be silly.
Funny Side: Try to find the absurdity in the crazy things that happen around you. So often the things we get uptight about in the now, we’ll be laughing about later. If possible, try to laugh about it now.
Goofy Kids: Hang out with kids, it’ll lighten your mood quicker than anything else. They aren’t going to take your problems too seriously, and that’s a good thing.
What are some other ideas on bringing humor and laughter into your every day?
David Curry
