While laughter is instantaneous, humor is always
subtle, gradual, but infectious. The major role of humor in life is to change
your perspectives of what is happening to you. It enables you to look at yourself
in a less serious manner. Since you are approaching the end of your life
journey, why should you look upon life so seriously? Weave humor into the
fabrics of your life: let yourself find good humor in almost everything you do.
Remind yourself that you are much more blessed than most people—for one thing, you already have lived to a ripe
old age—and that many things are beyond your control anyway, so loosen up your
tight jaw and start smiling. Laugh at yourself by sharing some embarrassing
moments in your life with those who are also fun and playful. Look for humor in
any bad situation; if you look further, you will always find the irony and
absurdity of life. Above all, make a conscious effort to overcome your daily
stress, which is a major impediment to laughter and humor.
According to the 2006 International Journal
of Psychiatry in Medicine, a sense of humor can significantly improve the
survival rate of end-stage renal disease patients by as much as 30 percent. The
reason is simple: positive distractions from stressful situations, such as
dialysis, have salutary effects on the patient.
Remember, if you just continue to live, you will
also continue to face many adversities. Laughter and humor will let you see only
their positive sides, instead of becoming the problem yourself.
You do not have to be funny in order to have a
sense of humor—just the ability to see the lighter side of everything in life.
Now that you are nearing the end of your life journey, nothing can be that dead
serious—not even death.
Stephen Lau
Copyright© by Stephen Lau
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