Laugh and the World Laughs With You, Essay Example

There are very few people in the world that can say that they lead a carefree life.  Buddhism teaches that life is suffering, and in varying forms – whether it is deciding on what to wear to the big dance to deciding what to give up in order saving the family home – our lives are full of problems that can sometimes seem unbearable.  Throughout time, one of the most universal ways to deal with distress has been humor.  Comedy helps us remember that our problems are rarely are own. When we laugh at one another, we usually laugh at the familiarity our conflicts have with one another, and we are relieved that not only are we not alone in our suffering, but those problems have solutions.  I am a funny person because I look to avoid those conflicts as often as possible, and once I create humor the big scary demons in life do not seem so invincible after all.

“Laughs and the world laughs with you; Weep, and you weep alone”. I have heard this adage that ‘a smile breeds a smile’ in my childhood. Like a bonfire on a crisp autumn evening, my smile has a way of sparking a light that may joyously ignite others into happiness. Those with excessively serious minds and heavy hearts may need to exercise cautions around it; for a smile may consume that which seems somber in its gentle flame, leaving in its glowing embers a sense of warm well-being.

The spirit to whistle when I do not feel like whistling, the heart to sing when I do not feel like a song, the faith to affirm the goodness of God when I do see few visible facts to justify my affirmation – from these often has greatness sprung, and with these attributes I have won many victories in my life. I know sometimes it seems the harder I work to know what is true about something, the longer it takes.

I use my humor wisely. For me, a sense of humor is a virtue. It can also, unless used in wisdom, be a weakness. Each day I do face many opportunities and problems as everyone does. Some of the standards I set for myself are: First, I never took other people lightly. Second, I never used any humor that in any way took away the dignity of me or another person. If I make good-natured fun of anybody, it will always be me. If a sense of humor is really part of me, I do not give it up; that would be dishonesty with my own self. I kept myself around a five. And I got my life balanced.

My choices to smile in a trying time might be a decision to take life in a way that is lighter on me and loving to everyone around me. My smiles show my willingness to relax, enjoy the moment, and share in a good feeling no matter what stressful circumstances may be testing me. And when I take life more easily, life is much easier on me, for the energy I spent on a frown is freed for more useful purposes.

I believe everyone is born with a sense of humor; it is a God-given gift. How that gift is developed, nurtured, and utilized depends on entirely me. I used to play with my senses of humor day in and day out; that is why I feel like I am the luckiest people on the planet.

A sense of humor allows me to cope with the worst of my personal tragedies; and my tragedies, in turn, often provide me with a very rich source of humor. I know my own sense of humor has virtually saved my life at several low points.

For me, humor is bonding and endearing. It is a positive energy, and it is, above all, one of the healthiest outlets for my mind and body. And it works like a muscle: I use it constantly, and it will stay toned, flexible, agile, and strong.

While there are times when it seems not appropriate for me to giggle and laugh aloud, my genuine smile is never out of place. Every person has the capacity to bring these vital qualities to life with a smile. While not all of us humor in the same situations or in the same way, we can bring a little more warmth into a sometimes cold world with a smile that brings forth the best part of us. The smile I bring to difficult challenge in my life may infuse it with the light understanding and with love, which attracts harmonious solutions. It may also inspire those around me to respond the same. My humor can make a difference wherever I can!