No Laughing Matter...Or is it?

A zillion more job cuts, no credit available, healthcare costs keep rising, and on and on and on. No laughing matter for sure… well, maybe. I contend that taking this economic downturn or any form of adversity 100% seriously won’t help you reverse your situation any faster, so you might as well laugh a little along the way. An upturned mouth is a must in a downturn economy. Hey, laughter is free and convenient – can’t beat that in today’s market!

In that spirit, here are a few of my favorite one-lines from comedian Steven Wright:

“If at first you don’t succeed, then skydiving definitely isn’t for you.”

“If you think nobody cares about you, try missing a couple of payments.”

“My mechanic told me, “I couldn’t repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.”

“It’s not an optical illusion. It just looks like one.”

Now, doesn’t that feel better?

Most events in our lives do not carry an overwhelming sense of sadness or delight. Most fall into the gray zone of ordinary life, and they give us the choice to laugh or not. Hmm, laughter as a choice?

Laughter is certainly the shortest distance between two people. It unites us, especially when we laugh together. Laughter can heal our relationships… and even heal us. Humor is an emotional medicine that can lower stress and diffuse anger. Our mood is elevated by striving to find humor in difficult and frustrating situations. Laughing at ourselves and the situation helps reveal that small things are not the earth-shaking events they sometimes seem to be. Looking at a problem from a different perspective can make it seem less formidable and provide opportunities for greater objectivity and insight.

Keep reading for tips to tickle your funny bone…

The topic of attitude can be conceptual and confusing. In fact, as we go through life we often hear phrases like: “keep your chin up,” “look on the bright side” or “you need a winning attitude.” Unfortunately, we seldom know how convert these soft sayings into hard results.

The great news is that even in the worst situations your attitude is something you can always control!

This book translates the incomprehensible into the actionable. It cuts through the clutter to deliver inspiration and application so you can orchestrate your attitude… and your success!

Below are four simple strategies to help tickle your funny bone more frequently.

Appreciate Life’s Extremes.If your situation seems ridiculously frustrating, recognize the potential humor in just how ridiculously frustrating and annoying it is. In your imagination, take the situation to an extreme that becomes even more ridiculous until you find yourself amused. You know, picture a Steve Martin or Adam Sandler movie.
Focus on Humor.Do you know someone who always seems to have drama going on in his/her life? Like they are living in a soap opera? It’s really a matter of what they choose to focus on . We can just as easily focus on the humorous things we see and experience each day, and all of a sudden, our life is a comedy!
Find a Funny Friend. Find a friend with whom you can laugh. You can each share your frustrations, and laugh about them in the process. Even when your friend isn’t there, you can lighten your mood in a dark situation by thinking about the retelling that will come later.
Watch Funny Shows and Movies. No doubt, there are plenty of not-so-funny shows and movies. However, shows like The Office, Seinfeld or Everybody Loves Raymond take universal situations that we find frustrating and push them a little further, pointing out just how goofy it all is. Realizing that some universally annoying situations are actually funny, can help you endure them with a smile.

OK, since I heard your cyber laughter earlier, here is an encore performance from Steven Wright. This time with his classic quizzical questions…..