I pretty much find humor everywhere, people, events, politics, faith;
all have their humorous side for there is much that can be laughed about,
not in cruelty, though humor can be used for that, or in mockery.
Yet for the most part, I believe humor has at its root in compassion,
for we tease, joke, and laugh together about our foibles, a humility of sorts,
being able to laugh at ourselves.
Carl Jung once said: “a person without a sense of humor should not be trusted,”
or something like that, for to be able to laugh with others, about oneself,
has to flow from a certain amount of self knowledge and self acceptance,
sadly lacking in those who cannot join in. There is a brittleness about them,
you have to be very careful what you say, or after saying something funny,
the will respond “what do you mean by that?” thereby making humor useless.
Laughter is truly a great gift, not something to be underrated, for we joke,
laugh with and at times tease those we care for and love. A person can say
“Yes I am like that aren’t I, and laugh loudly and long”, each in the spotlight
for a time, an honor to be treated that way; if indeed humor is based on acceptance,
compassionand love.
We see ourselves in others, so it is better to be able to laugh than to scorn,
to become playful than to mourn, about what is actually quite funny if truth be told.
Comedians deal with the human condition, making a safe place where laughter,
yes about ourselves can flow, with strangers all looking to the stage, laughing
with tears running down their faces at just what we can all do. Sometimes looking
over at those around them to feel the kinship that comes with the relief of being able
to say, “Yes, we are like that”, but with a joyfulness and yes compassion.
