Can humor change the world?

I have a client who loves making people laugh. It's when he's at his most energized, and it's one of his greatest gifts. On several occasions though, I've heard him play down its importance in the greater scope of things, saying, "It's not like it's going to change the world."

I disagree.

Maybe it's not going to "change the world" by itself, but I think the lightness that humor brings can play in important role in a sustainable approach to positive change.

If you've been reading this blog for long, you know I often think in terms of ecosystems. That is, what is the environment that is most conducive to a given result (in this case, positive change)?

The trouble with an uber-intense approach to making a difference in the world is the potential for burnout. Have you ever run across someone who seems absolutely militant about their cause. It starts to color their view of the world. It's like they're in a constant state of emergency. You can almost see the cortisol pumping copiously into their veins in response to the stress.

At the end of the day, creating a personal ecosystem for positive change is about figuring out how you can be most effective, internally and externally. What is going to let you put your best efforts into your work?

Humor can be like a mini-vacation. It can defuse the stress, and give both your body and your mind a little R&R. It has proven benefits for both mental and physical health. It also has a positive social impact, making it easier for people to connect and breaking down barriers.

So can humor change the world? Well, at the very least it can change your world, and that's where it all starts.

 

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Curt Rosengren, Passion Catalyst ^TM 

Comments

[Steve Wilson]

There has never been a better time to take advantage of the therapeutic benefits of laughter. Laughter and humor are natural antagonists to stress, and they are alernatives to violence. There has never been a greater need to touch people's lives, to make people laugh, and to make this world a better place to live in. An excellent resource for quality programs and information on this topic is http://www.worldlaughtertour.com. A distinguished panel of experts on the science of humor & laughter guides the creation of quality programs that are beneficial in a variety of settings. Shop at the online store. Sign up for the free electronic newsletter. Read the News & Events page. LAUGHTER IS CONTAGIOUS; THERE'S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO START AN EPIDEMIC!

[Curt Rosengren]

Looks interesting, Steve. Thanks for the heads up.

[Roy]

An interesting article. I have sat working in the same office area now for almost thirteen years....with the fifth generation of employees around me now....I am the last of the 1994 group left in this environment. In the last few years...I've come to note that my brand of sarcasm and humor...probably sets the entire group of twenty people onto a less-stressed pace and relationships within the group are more team-focused than you'd find in other atmospheres. I'm not the boss or anywhere in the chain...simply a player...but this element of humor in the work-place is a real element of positive energy.