| A local radio station runs a daily trivia contest. Recently | | | | bring couples closer together. |
| the question they posed to listeners was, "What is it | | | | Laughter creates a greater sense of connection |
| that children do 400 times a day that adults do only 15 | | | | between people. |
| times a day?" The correct answer; laugh. I don't know | | | | Using gentle humour often helps you tackle sensitive |
| if this statistic includes people who spend their days | | | | subjects, resolve disagreements, and reframe |
| with children. I often find myself laughing along with my | | | | problems. |
| children (even when what they're laughing at doesn't | | | | A sense of humour is the key to resilience. It helps you |
| seem all that funny) just because their laughter is so | | | | take hardships in stride, weather disappointment, and |
| contagious. All the same, I don't think I would find | | | | bounce back from adversity and loss. |
| myself reaching the 400 laughs a day mark. | | | | The use of humour helps to put things into perspective. |
| So, where along the way do we lose our sense of | | | | Humour can help you to be more creative in your |
| humour? Certainly the responsibilities and concerns we | | | | problem solving. |
| must shoulder as adults are much greater than that of | | | | Humour helps you to be more spontaneous, let go of |
| children, but does our worry and seriousness help us | | | | defensiveness, release inhibitions, and express your |
| shoulder these burdens better? If laughter is the best | | | | true feelings, which can all benefit your relationship. |
| medicine, should we not work harder to foster a sense | | | | It makes sense that a sense of humour can improve |
| of humour in ourselves? | | | | your marriage, but what if you don't have a sense of |
| One of the great burdens of adulthood for many is | | | | ha ha. How do you regain a lost sense of humour? My |
| relationship problems. It can be very painful when your | | | | suggestion: Ask an expert. Surely you can learn |
| spouse, who is supposed to be a source of support | | | | something from someone who laughs 400 time a day. |
| and fulfilment, is a source of conflict and stress. How | | | | ~~~~~~~ |
| do you maintain a sense of humour while dealing with | | | | For Catholic Eyes Only |
| the difficulties of a strained relationship? Well, again, | | | | ~~~~~~~ |
| maybe laughter is the best medicine. Maybe in those | | | | When asked, "What role does humor play in the life of |
| moments when we don't know whether to laugh or | | | | a pope?" Pope Benedict replied, |
| cry, we need to choose laughter more often. Not that | | | | "I'm not a man who constantly thinks up jokes. But I |
| laughter can solve all of your problems. However, | | | | think it's very important to be able to see the funny |
| perhaps a little levity in your relationship will strengthen | | | | side of life and its joyful dimension and not to take |
| the bond of friendship and give you the strength to | | | | everything too tragically. I'd also say it's necessary for |
| work on the deeper issues. | | | | my ministry. A writer once said that angels can fly |
| Laughter releases stress reducing chemicals into your | | | | because they don't take themselves too seriously. |
| brain, which can enhance your day and improve your | | | | Maybe we could also fly a bit if we didn't think we |
| health, but what does that have to do with | | | | were so important." |
| relationships. | | | | Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could all learn to fly in |
| Well: | | | | our relationships! |
| Laughter and humour relieve tension, lift spirits, and | | | | |