The next in the series of “Purpose in Life”, with this week talking about humor. I had to bring it up because last week I made a typo talking about being a runner, and instead it came out as “funner”, and a friend of mine brought it to my attention, and thought I was going to talk about my sense of humor. Well, I will now. It is similar to the thought of last week in that my purpose in life is not about humor, but once again, humor brings purpose into my life. When we talk about laughter in medicine, we are talking about trying to find “humor and purpose” with some of the health issues that we can have happen to us. There is definitely a time to be serious, but there is a time to bring out a smile and laughter in people to help them make the best of the situation they are in. Smiling and laughing needs to be a natural thing. I just look at my 7-month-old grandson, Connor, always smiling and laughing. We lose that as we get older, and that is when we need to have it the most. Laugh at ourselves at time, and learn to “let it go”, and make the best out of the situation at hand. Our running group is great at keeping the laughter going!
Trying to get some nutrition in after a long run, but we can still figure out a way to smile! Many times we do more laughing than running, which is exactly why we keep meeting every week!
Here we all pretended like we died after our run! Which when it is really cold out, it sometimes feel like we did!
But then we will turn around and show off our olympic skills at snow ballet. For some of us, it shows how uncoordinated some of us can be, or that some of us can’t follow instructions, and we are the opposite of everybody else! But that is what makes it fun, and of course, the uncontrolled laughing then ensues!
It can be so easy to start coming up with something as a joke when one of us does something different, right Paula!! The rest of us were fine, but did not know if we were going to have to start CPR on you or not! You just helped us decide by covering up your face to say, in essence, “you don’t need to bother, I am gone!” I just take the pictures, but I, or we, can come up with whatever caption we may want for the picture!
But, bottom line, we are just happy to be running, spending time together, and laughing. That is what life is about! Don’t take things so serious all of the time. I/we need to learn how to have fun as well. I like all of the Disney animated movies, and they were great with the kids growing up, now it will be with the grandkids. But the movie “Frozen” hit is right on when it continuously talks about, and sings, “Let is go”! Exactly! Learn to let it go! AND–HAVE FUN TOO!
Sarah and I dressed up for St. Patrick’s Day last year, and of course, we always have to do something more when this is Sarah’s birthday. I just know she tells me “all the time” that life is not boring with me! Now, I am taking that as a compliment! We are always laughing, and so I have to show her my appreciation of life with her by getting her this T-Shirt–
And, of course, I remind her of this every day! Purpose in life–have humor and laugh, and after all is said and done, this will also help you find purpose in your life!
Sometimes, this can be a very fine line! Overall, laughing really is the best medicine. We just feel better when we can laugh and enjoy life. You will always find purpose in your life as long as you keep laughing!
At least this is what I keep telling Sarah! One of these days she might actually agree with me, but at least it can still keep the smiling and laughter going on. Get back to that point when we were all small like my grandson, and we all laughed the majority of the day. Bring it back as an adult, and enjoy life to its fullest, and to help create, and find, purpose in your life! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day of New Streak: #1064
