by Angela S. Young

Created on: February 07, 2008   Last Updated: January 29, 2009

I don't know that we NEED humor on a daily basis, but life sure is better if we get it. Laughter heals and releases endorphins in our brain that help us feel good. It bonds us with others. It brightens our life, at least for a few minutes, and it brings health and happiness.

I am personally a proponent of a good belly laugh at least once a day. In order to meet that prescription, you have to look for things to laugh at. Some of us live with people who make that a little easier, but anyone can find humor all around. Take a look in the mirror sometime; that out to be good for at least a minor chuckle.

One way to find daily humor is to own a pet. I have a cat whose antics keep me laughing. He doesn't appreciate it when I laugh at him, but as long as I scratch his ears he chooses to forgive me most of the time. We have a glass back wall in our family room with trees, squirrels and a couple bird feeders in view from it. The squirrels like to play "tease the kitty" by running after one another and darting up close to the window.

I will be working (usually writing) and I hear a BANG! I know they are at it again and Tigger, the cat, has forgotten that he doesn't have the super power of being able to go through glass. I think the squirrels know this too. I once saw one come right up to the glass, stand on his haunches nose to nose with the cat and just stare. I think I heard him saying, "Nah, nah, nah, nah, nah, nah" in squirreleze.

Another way to find a daily dose of humor is by laughing at yourself and those you live with. After all, you can choose to laugh or cry about the things that happen to you, so why not choose laughter? You may have to wait a few days (or years) for retrospective power to make an incident funny, but they are funny. Anyone who watches America's Funniest Home Videos knows that the dumb things people do make for hilarity for the whole family. Just pretend you're watching AFV and enjoy your life.

I collect funny things. My husband was first in my collection. Just kidding, but I do collect funny movies and jokes and other things that keep my attitude light and remind me life is too short not to laugh and laugh well. No matter how you find your daily dose of laughter, doing it will make life better for you and everyone you come in contact with. So start looking around for something to laugh at today and make sure you take at least one belly laugh every day.

Learn more about this author, Angela S. Young.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.