I seem to be most content (as a man) with myself after
I’ve had a good laugh[i]. My outlook on my life
seems to be more positive when I’m either listening to a wonderful audio book
(as I’m driving somewhere by myself), or at home watching many of my favorite sitcom
all together (which could exceed an hour).[ii] “I believe the universe is a mirror, and reflects what you
put out there.”[iii]
My current (and re-run) favorite chuckle television
series include: American Housewife, Golden Girls, Home Improvement, Mike and
Molly, Last Man Standing, Reba, Rosanne, and The Mindy
Project. As for authors (that are guaranteed to provide the giggle factor
for me), they include: Beth Harbison, Janet Evanovich, Joanne Fluke, and Sophie
Kinsella. [iv]
Settings for the above are in different parts of the
country. The edginess (and cleverness) in the writing is wonderful. In some
way, a piece of what I’m reading (or viewing) has made an emotional connection
with my psyche.
I am amazed with the lessons comedy teaches me. I laugh
with total abandonment at the image of my own fallibility being reflected back
at me.
When a TV show (or author) provides me with the gift of
laughter, I am unconcerned with what I may know about an actor (or author’s) personal
life. My main concern is the quality of their performance (or the clarity of
their written words). I will stop following a show (or listening to an audio
book) if there is cruelty to animals (especially dogs), physical violence, or
verbal abuse.
In my opinion, I don’t take any of the above seriously
enough to picture the Heavenly Father sitting next to me, and watching (or
listening) to my selections. There are other things in life I can get serious
about, and this issue is not one of them.
The Almighty and I don’t have identical tastes in humor. I
am an adult with my own unique convictions, which I am satisfied with. On this
subject there is no guilt (no matter what others think).
My Heavenly Father understands my need for temporary
sources of merriment. I know that He alone is my true source of joy. Though others
may find this contradictory; it is one of the most permanent themes of my
entire life.
As an adult, I enjoy laughter in TV (and books) for the
purpose of pure entertainment. It stimulates my thinking, and most the time puts
me in a relaxed, pleasant mood, which makes me react positively to those around
me.
As my memory is so poor these days, the requirement of a
riveting plot line (in TV or a book) is not of crucial importance to me because
chances are that I will have either forgotten it midway through my experience (or
days after).
The
Message has these biblical insights on happiness:
2. “A cheerful heart brings a smile to your
face; a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.”[vi]
Have you ever thought how
dull life would be if everyone had your same opinion (on every topic that
existed), and there was never one moment of sadness. All of your life’s
experiences have made you exactly who you are right now. (Remember, diversity
makes your existence interesting.)
The late children’s poetry
author (and artist), Shel Silverstein, in his poem, “The Land of Happy,” from
the book, Where the Sidewalk Ends, summarized
my above assessment in this light-hearted manor:
Have
you been to the land of Happy?
Where
everyone’s happy all day?
Where
they joke and they sing
Of
the happiest things,
And
everything’s jolly and gay?[ix]
There’s
no one unhappy in Happy.
There’s
laughter and smiles galore.
I
have been to the land of Happy.
What
a bore!
Just to put a smile on your face; lets conclude
this post with twenty humorous definitions (not found in any known dictionary
printed):[x]
1.
An alarm
clock is a mechanical device to wake up people, who don’t have
small children.
2.
Applause is two hands slapping each other’s faces.
3.
A boss
is a person who is at the office early on the days when you’re late.
4.
A comedian
is a person with a good memory who hopes other people haven’t.
5.
Cuisine is any food you can’t pronounce.
6.
A dead
ringer is a deceased telephone.
7.
A florist
is a petal pusher.
8.
Gossip is rumortism.
9.
A harp
is nude piano.
10.
A hug
is energy that has gone to waist.
11.
A lecture
is something that makes you feel numb at one end, and dumb at the other.
12.
A paradox
is two medical doctors.
13.
A pickpocket
is someone who never learned to keep his hands to himself.
14.
A snicker
is a laugh that gets caught in your throat.
15.
Snoring is sheet music.
16.
A synonym
is the word you use in place of one you can’t spell.
17.
A vampire
is a person who is overdrawn at the blood bank.
18.
A violin
is an instrument for people who like to fiddle around.
19.
A window
shopper is a store gazer.
20.
An x-ray
is belly vision.
[i]
Happy hour refers to “the hour (or so) of relaxation with drinks after work
(cocktail hour); or a specified period of time, usually in early evening, in
some restaurants (and bars) when drinks are sold at lower prices (or when free
food is provided).” The New Dictionary of
American Slang (edited by Robert L. Chapman, Ph.D.)
[ii] Sitcom
is “short for a situation comedy series on television. “The New Dictionary of American Slang (edited by Robert L. Chapman,
Ph.D.)
[iv]
This blog topic was suggested by a discussion I had with my wife, Bobbi.
[v]
Job 8:21
[vi]
Proverbs 15: 13
[vii]
Proverbs 15: 15
[viii]
Ecclesiastes 3:4
[ix] This
word can also mean “merry or cheerful.”
[x]
Adapted from The Big Book of Jokes &
Riddles, “Dizzy Daffynitions” and
“Still More Dizzy Daffynitions”
No comments:
Post a Comment