Intentional Action - Laughter

“Always laugh when you can, it is cheap medicine.” Lord Byron - House of Lords UK

There were many things that made the difference throughout the main struggles of life, but nothing made me feel better about life more than laughter. Countless times I chose to crack jokes about my circumstances and purposefully looked for the humor in my sickness. In every moment I looked for an opportunity to intentionally bring laughter and levity to the situation. For instance…

Early in the cancer journey the extended family was out for dinner when my brother-in-law insisted on paying for my meal. When the waiter came to ask about the check, I told him. “I have ass cancer, so that guy there (pointing to my brother-in-law) is paying for meal.” Needless to say, the waiter didn’t know how to respond.

Walking into one of the nephew’s high school football games, I asked the lady selling tickets if I could get a discount for stage 3 ass cancer. Again, the response was awesome!

My wife was dumbfounded when I was in ICU in Atlanta from my stroke and the neurosurgeon, and his team came to see me for the first time. As they were introducing themselves, one of the doctors said, “I’m Dr.___ - I’m a neurosurgeon and a stroke specialist.” To which I responded, “I was a stroke specialist in junior high and didn’t even have to go to school for it.”

As well, on one of my final days in the hospital following the stroke, the hospital pharmacist came in to ask several questions. “What medications are you taking?” My response was simple, “I take lomotil (anti-diarrhea drug) because I shit my pants occasionally. And I take Cialis because my pee-pee doesn’t always want to work right. Cancer is a BITCH!” 

“Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can; all of them make me laugh.” W.H. Auden – British American Poet

Now I realize everyone won’t find my sense of humor entertaining, and that some people don’t have the same ability to laugh at life, but I want to encourage you to intentionally look for the humor. And if you don’t have that gift, surround yourself with people who do.

I’ve often had people ask me what I love most about Katie (my wife of 33 years). There are many things I adore about her, but one of my favorites is her laugh. She wants life to be fun and can make life fun for everyone. It is a true gift, and she is my greatest gift. Her laughter is contagious and life giving to me.

If you don’t have that person in your life, find them. You need the person who sees the humor in the world and is willing to not only cry with you but laugh with you.

Choose the BEST!!! – Marcus Aurelius