LOOK for Humor for Connection and Healing

With SO much seriousness surrounding us, it can be easy to get caught up in it and drag it into our relationship. Yes, this is a serious season in this world’s history. But we can’t allow it to poison every aspect of our lives together. We can’t change many of the things that happen to us and around us. But we can change our focus. That’s why we are encouraging you to LOOK for humor. Look for ways you can laugh together. That’s because laughter is healing. The Bible tells us it is like medicine. And it definitely is!

You might say, “Why should I look for humor when there is so little to laugh about right now?” That is a natural reaction to embrace when life is hard. But just because we’re prone to go in a certain direction, it doesn’t mean that we should not instead go in another. Changing our mood and focus is sometimes the healthiest thing we can do! As we look for humor, we take a break from the serious side of life for a while.

That’s what we’ve been doing. We dive into the seriousness of the news around us; and then we dive out. We take humor breaks. And we recommend that you do the same.

Reasons to Look for Humor

If there’s no other reason to look for humor (although there are many) here’s a good one. It helps you to better connect together.

“Laughter bonds people. Any good friend will tell you that laughter is the shortest distance between two people—especially in marriage.” (Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott)

Additionally:

“Humor helps us cope. …It also will bond you with those you laugh with. Research has found that laughter produces Oxytocin, a chemical in the brain also referred to as the bonding chemical. Learning to laugh a little more just may save your life, not to mention your marriage. To paraphrase Henry Ward Beecher, ‘a marriage without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs—jolted by every pebble in the road.’” (Corey Allan)

Look for Humor for Healing

There are also all kinds of studies that have shown the mental, physical and emotional health benefits in laughing together. You can sometimes get overly serious in life. When that happens you can forget to look for humor in your situation. We need to remedy that. Yes, there is “a time to weep” (according to the Bible). But there is also “a time to laugh”; and this is a good time to find ways to do so.

Its been said that laughter is like “inner jogging” because “every system in our body gets a workout when we have a hearty laugh.” “‘Laugh out loud,’ says Chuck Swindoll. ‘It helps flush out the nervous system.’ Dr Swindoll also said, ‘Laughter is the most beautiful and beneficial therapy God ever granted humanity.’ Arnold Glasgow said, ‘Laughter is a tranquilizer with no side effects.’

“The point is that even when you’ve had a tough day, or should we say ESPECIALLY when you’ve had a tough day, you need to laugh. It will help wash away the stress and keep the two of you together. So, look for humor, and then share it with each other. Help each other to find something funny even when it’s not easy.” (Drs Les & Leslie Parrott from the book, The Love List)

Touch and Laugh Together Every Day

Laughing is important. In their book, “The Love List” Drs Les and Leslie Parrott recommend things you can do to help your marriage become the best it can be. They list two things you can do once a day. First: “Take time to touch” (if only for a minute). Also, “Find something that makes you both laugh.”

So that’s what we would like to help you with right now. We’ll share a few things we think are funny. And then we’ll share links to web sites that will supply additional smiles and laughter.

First, read the following (we found it on Lotsofjokes.com) and see if it doesn’t tickle your funny bone a bit. And then share it with your spouse. Hopefully, it will cause you to laugh and consequently, deepen your bond together. Keep in mind that this is just simple humor. Don’t take these points seriously:

Look for Humor in HOME REMEDIES:

1. Avoid cutting yourself slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.

2. Avoid arguments with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat. Instead, just use the sink.

3. A mousetrap, placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

4. If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you will be afraid to cough.

5. You only need two tools in life —WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn’t move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn’t move and does, use the duct tape.

6. Remember: Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

7. The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose. But mosquitoes come close.

Here are two more jokes for your smiling or laughing pleasure. They come from the Reader’s Digest book, “Laughter Still Is the Best Medicine”:

“The police stop a motorist for a roadside check. ‘What are all those daggers in your car?’ the trooper asks. ‘I’m a juggler.’ ‘I don’t believe it,’ the policeman says. ‘Show me something.’ The juggler gets out and starts tossing the daggers. Another car passes by with two buddies in it. Says one: ‘I’m sure glad I quit drinking. Look what they’ve come up with in place of a breathalyzer.’” (Margit Molnar)

“When a neighbor’s home was burglarized, I decided to be more safety conscious. But my measly front-door lock wasn’t going to stop anyone. So I hung this sign outside: ‘Nancy, don’t come in. The snake is loose. Mom.’” (Sharon Bouscher)

Lighten Up!

And then here’s a tip that makes sense to use. (You can also share it with your spouse.):

“Lighten up! Remember the silly, romantic things you did while dating—such as talking in funny accents, tickling or wrestling with each other, playing footsies under the dinner table, or kissing under the stars—and do them again. After all, laughter’s still the best medicine—even for a marriage that isn’t ailing.” (Ramona Cramer Tucker, from the article, “Making a Connection – 7 Doable Ideas For Couples On The Run”)

Additionally, as you look for humor, the following are a few web site links for articles that can usher in some fun:

• Explore.org  – This web site has live web cams set up all over the world. We especially enjoy watching the puppies. But we’ve also been watching baby eagles, panda bears and more. At various times of the day we’ll go peek in at what’s happening with different animals. It brings a much needed comedy relief. Plus it’s fun to see what’s going on in the animal world. But you can also see other types of things that are happening in different locations, as well. Go take a look and see what you think.

As you click into this web site link you will find an article (written by Debi Walter) that describes some on line games you can play with others who are located outside of your home:

• IT’S VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO HAVE FUN!

The following are links to web site articles and videos that are humorous that are posted on the Marriage Missions web site. Read/watch, and enjoy!

• HEALTHY HUMOR IN MARRIAGE

• HUMOR IN MARRIAGE

Videos?

And then here’s a past Marriage Insight that has a funny video included in it. Read the jokes. And then watch Jeanne Robertson explain why you don’t send a man to the grocery store.

• YOU’VE JUST GOTTA LAUGH

Lastly, here’s another video we found on You Tube. Maybe you can adapt some of Jeanne Robertson’s ideas… or not. But enjoy, and then you might want to find a few more of her videos to watch afterward. We think she is a lot of fun!

In closing, here’s one more tickler. We saw it written on a T-shirt and it brought a smile to our faces. “Sometimes I laugh so hard tears run down my leg.”

Our prayer is that you laugh together (even through your tears) and experience the joy of the Lord within your marriage. Remember that “the joy of the Lord” is your strength!

Cindy and Steve Wright

— ADDITIONALLY —

To help you further, we give a lot of personal stories, humor, and more practical tips in our book, 7 ESSENTIALS to Grow Your Marriage. We hope you will pick up a copy for yourself. (It’s available both electronically and in print form.) Plus, it can make a great gift for someone else. It gives you the opportunity to help them grow their marriage. And who doesn’t need that? Just click on the linked title or the picture below:

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