by Paula Geister

Created on: September 16, 2008   Last Updated: November 15, 2008

Oh, pardon me while I laugh at myself. I'm sitting here believing you're in on my little joke. I sit at my pc and type away and forever forget that you can't see what I'm "saying" until you actually choose to read it. What if you never pass this way again? Silly me, thinking I'm so important.

Yes, I believe we need humor in our lives every day even if it's to laugh at ourselves. In fact, that may be the healthiest form of humor - to be able to laugh at oneself. Really, if you think about it, we take for granted how funny life can be in an ironic sense. Everyone understands irony even if they can't define the term. They know that the perversity of people is ironic. They know that we all do ridiculous things that beg laughter. Do you talk to people in the other vehicles while driving in traffic? Do you sing along to the radio and then get caught by someone checking you out at the next traffic light? What? Do you have some imaginary friend?

Do you talk to your pets as if they're human and understand every word? How often have they answered you back? You see what I mean then. We go through life creating irony and silliness all on our own. We could consider our own antics the day's best joke.
One of the best things you can offer someone in the course of a day is a smile. A lighthearted attitude in the right situation is always welcome. It doesn't mean we have to tell jokes or make fun of others. In fact, making light at someone else's expense is probably going to be seen as cruel. But look at how popular humor is in the movies and television. Comedies come in several forms. Animation isn't always indicative of the genre but surely it has contributed in the last decade to the store of comedy movies we have. We've even coined the term "dramedy" to define a story that combines drama and comedy. There must be something to the fact that we need humor in our lives if writers include comedy in a dramatic screenplay. They know that life - even in the most serious moments - can be redeemed by some laughter.

People pay big bucks to watch a comedian in concert. Comedians have even made the transition to television and movies. We admire them and reach for the laughs in one more mode of communication. We want to keep track of their lives and read about them. They become celebrities as actors and actresses do.

Look at how many funny stories you get in your email in a week. Whew!
If an apple a day can keep the doctor away, give me one into which you've carved a smiley face. I'll be laughing and thanking you for the gusto and taking care of my health to boot.

P.S. If you thought there was anything funny about this essay, thank you for laughing. If not, as Jeff Foxworthy would say, "here's your sign:" :)

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