The P ublisher Po stulates
Laughter may be caused by many things that can not be explained rationally. I know because I
have occasionally laughed at things that happened to others, which I might not have found to be
24 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE
quite so comical if they had happened to me.
| NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016
Publisher / Editor
Laughter
By Aaron R. Fodiman
Ilove to make people laugh, and I don’t mean with my looks.
I don’t do so to display my sparkling wit or quick mind.
Rather, I do so because I have found that nothing relaxes
someone as much as laughter. When I was growing up,
traveling salesmen were renowned for their endless supply of
new humorous stories. It wasn’t until I began selling things that
I realized why humor was so essential to them. No one wanted
to deal with a salesman; however, they would put up with one
if he or she was entertaining enough.
Humor seems to have the power to loosen people up and to
relieve them of their anxieties. I’m sure that many a parent has
failed to discipline a child when the child’s explanation for his
or her actions was so funny that the mishaps were forgiven.
This was not my personal experience, as when I was a child, I
tended to spout out denials rather than cute, dumb quips. Even
though it was clear that I was the guilty culprit, “I didn’t do
it!” or “It wasn’t me!” were my usual answers to accusations.
Later, while working for the Government, I learned to lie more
effectively.
My personal use of humor is to keep friends off balance or
confused. That way, when I say something that might offend
them, they accept it as just being my sense of humor.
Laughter has the power to lessen grief and loss. It can lighten
heavy moods, even when there seems to be no room for levity.
Laughter can be used as a safety valve. It is amazing how a
witty remark can somehow smooth over an embarrassing
moment or an awkward situation. When someone stumbles,
I often ask coyly if they had a “nice trip”…corny but effective.
Humor allows one to be serious in a funny way.
Humor can be either calculated or spontaneous. Both forms
can have the same effect, as long as things are said in good
nature with a smile and a twinkle in your eye. You can even
call someone “stupid,” as long as you follow it with an apology
such as “I’m sorry I called you stupid, I thought you knew;”
or “When I asked, ‘how stupid can you be?’, I didn’t think you
would take it as a challenge.” I believe that in order to be truly
humorous, you must be able to see all three sides of the coin.
A good joke will get you into any conversation, as almost
everyone will want to hear the difference between Brussels
sprouts and boogers. There is something about laughter that
changes our feelings and soothes our souls.
There have been many scientific studies that show how humor
can do more than improve your outlook. It can actually cure
illnesses and other things that medical science can’t explain.
Laughter is a cure-all, so use this prescription and practice the art
of humor. It will be a blessing to you and to those you encounter.
Whenever I need a good laugh, I look in a mirror and wonder
who that strange person is that always stares back. 9