Why Humor?

Do we really need to laugh often?

Once upon a time, in a land filled with stress, deadlines, and traffic jams, there lived a kingdom of very serious people. They were so serious that smiling was considered a workout, and laughing—well, that was reserved for the annual festival of "Snicker Day," which happened only once a year. Life in this kingdom was full of furrowed brows, frowns, and an occasional sigh of deep thought.

One day, a jester named Chuckles wandered into the kingdom. Unlike everyone else, he wasn’t burdened by the seriousness of life. His hat jingled with every step, and his pockets were filled with jokes instead of to-do lists. As soon as Chuckles entered the marketplace, he saw the grim expressions on the faces of the townspeople and decided this kingdom needed a dose of laughter, stat.

He started with the baker. Chuckles bought a loaf of bread and pretended it was a phone. "Hello? Gluten free? No, sorry, wrong number!" The baker raised an eyebrow but didn’t smile.

Next, he went to the blacksmith, who was hammering away at a piece of metal. Chuckles handed him a rubber chicken. "Need a new tool? It’s hammer-less but guaranteed to make an impact!" The blacksmith grunted, unimpressed.

Chuckles started to worry that maybe this kingdom was beyond saving. But then he had an idea. That evening, during the town's nightly meeting (which usually involved people complaining about how their day was worse than the next person’s), Chuckles climbed up onto the fountain in the town square.

"People of Seriousville!" he called out. "What do you get when you cross a snowman and a vampire?" The townspeople stared, puzzled. "Frostbite!"

A single chuckle escaped from a small child in the crowd. Chuckles pointed. "Ah! We have life! We have hope!"

Slowly, like a domino effect, giggles spread through the crowd. It wasn’t long before the entire town was laughing so hard that their sides hurt. People started to realize how light they felt, how free. The stress that had been pressing on their shoulders for years suddenly felt a little less heavy.

The next day, the town looked different. People were smiling. The baker threw in a free loaf for anyone who could make him laugh. The blacksmith created a metal statue of a rubber chicken. Even the mayor cracked a joke during a council meeting.

Laughter, Chuckles had shown them, wasn’t just about jokes. It was a release valve for the pressures of life. It was a reminder that, no matter how serious the world became, there was always something to smile about, something to laugh at. It was the simplest and most magical way to connect with others, reduce stress, and bring a bit of joy into every day.

And so, the kingdom of Seriousville became the kingdom of Chuckletown, where laughter rang out daily, and Snicker Day was celebrated every single week. Because they realized that humor was the best way to take life seriously… without being so serious.

So, what happens if we take life too seriously?

If we take life too seriously, a few things can happen:

1. Stress Takes Over: When we’re always serious, we end up magnifying small problems into major crises. Everything starts to feel like the end of the world, and we never give our minds or bodies a break from the constant stress.

2. We Lose Perspective: Focusing too much on perfection or control can make us forget the bigger picture. We can become so consumed with the details that we miss out on the joy and spontaneity life has to offer.

3. Burnout: Without moments of humor or levity, we drain our emotional reserves quickly. We become mentally and emotionally exhausted because we’re always on edge, bracing ourselves for the next challenge.

4. Missed Connections: Laughter is one of the easiest ways to bond with others. When we take life too seriously, we miss out on those opportunities to connect through shared moments of joy or humor. Relationships become more about duties and expectations than shared experiences.

5. Creativity Suffers: A mind that’s always serious is less likely to take risks or think outside the box. Humor opens up our creativity and lets us see the world from different angles. Without it, we become rigid and less inventive.

6. We Forget to Enjoy the Ride: Life isn’t just about reaching goals or avoiding mistakes; it’s about the journey. When we’re overly serious, we become obsessed with outcomes and lose the ability to enjoy the process, the unexpected detours, and the little things.

In short, taking life too seriously can lead to stress, isolation, and missed opportunities for joy. A little humor and a lighter approach help us stay balanced, flexible, and more resilient when things do go wrong.

Moral of the story: Laughter isn’t just good for the soul—it’s a reminder that sometimes, the best way to deal with life’s problems is to laugh at them.

That's all, folks!

See you next time around.

Love and light. 🗽❤️

René