Weekly Thought – January 3, 2023
Fred’s reputation for humor extended past his use in speaking or consulting. He thought much about the principles of humor and analyzed its use in personal development. His writings on the subject help other speakers, but also add vitality to each reader’s life.
Laugh or Have High Blood Pressure
There’s no way to be truly mature without a well-developed sense of humor. It is the emotional escape valve. It is accepting the fallibility of man. I don’t remember meeting a humorless man who wasn’t also arrogant and a control freak.
Because I always see something funny in every mistake it has provided great relief for me. When we fail to laugh at ourselves in embarrassing situations shows a lack of maturity.
Of course, there are serious abuses of humor. For example, sarcasm, hurtful practical jokes, and hostile jokes. And we test the social edges – trying to see where the boundaries are. Stage comedians do this regularly, but also in ordinary social relationships this is a strategy to where the edge of acceptability is.
I have a pastor friend who has a personal measure: “Could I tell this from the pulpit?” Many businessmen throw out funny comments to see how the businesswomen react. They find out where the boundaries exist.
A friend of mine who uses humor to probe the intellectual depth of the audience. He is a scientist with four earned degrees and speaks regularly. He told me he developed three stories which he tells. By the reaction of the audience he can judge the intellectual capacity.
I am convinced the use of humor is a maturity/immaturity measurement tool. Those who use it well know how to develop an appreciation, much like art or music. Becoming discriminating and understanding the types of humor are key parts of this process.
For example, humor has a terrific communal aspect. A highly educated friend sent me a Mark Twain book. There were many passages which were lessons in sharing humor. I called to thank him and we began discussing the way we deepened our understanding of life’s funny bone. He told me of a friendship which included a weekly Sunday morning call. They didn’t discuss the news – they read the comic pages together.
I notice very few people will laugh heartily when alone, but when in a group and the very same story is shared, people will immediately start laughing out loud. Laugher is communal.
Another principle: keep you eyes and ears open for humor. I rarely go through a day in which I fail to see real life situations with a humorous element. This is a practiced habit. I look for the situations, written articles, and conversations. During a layover in the Chicago Ambassador Club I saw Charlie “Tremendous” Jones, the great public speaker. I walked up and he foisted a book into my hands. “Read this!” It was two pages of some of the funniest extemporaneous speaking I had ever read and it was 50 years old. Charlie was sharing something of value. Just as easily we could have fallen into, “What flight are you on? Where are you going? What group?” But instead of small talk, he made the time very valuable by just showing a great piece of humor.
This week think carefully about: 1) When was the last time I laughed out loud? 2) How effective am I in applying humor to relieve tension? 3) What can I do to sharpen my sense of humor?
Words of Wisdom: “Laughter is communal.”
Wisdom from the Word: “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.” (Job 8:21 NET Bible)