33. Jedi have a keen sense of humor
Jedi are serious people, but they don’t take themselves too seriously. Jedi like to make people smile and laugh, especially in bad situations.
(33 Jedi Traits)
When we Laugh
There is a saying that goes if we are laughing we cannot have our mind in a dark place. Much of our life is spent ruminating on the past with all its regrets or projected into the future with all of its fears and hopes. Laughter puts us in to the present moment. When we laugh can not be anywhere but in the here and now.
“Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly” – GK Chesterton
Nothing seems more unfettered than the raucous laughter of children at play. As we grow older and lose our innocence that capacity for spontaneous joy seems to diminish. The inner child remains but is silent and suppressed much of the time. The times we find our sense of humor and laugh it feels like we are inviting that inner child out to play. The world appears brighter when we do.
“We should take a lighter view of things and bear them with an easy spirit, for it is more human to laugh at life than to lament it” – Seneca
Humor is a Treasure
The Jedi knew the value of humor. Obi-wan Kenobi was one to often use irony and wit to refocus Anakin or defuse a situation from turning violent. Yoda often turned to humor and playfulness to make light of a situation or to disarm opposing opponents even at their own expense.
“When nine hundred years old you reach, look as good you will not” – Yoda
Humor is one of our greatest assets. Those in recovery know its value. We can laugh about past tragedies and misfortune. Life has played a merry game with us and we can see that the last laugh is on us. So why shouldn’t we laugh? We are recovered.
“A happy heart is good medicine” – Proverbs 17:22
Needed Armor
Its easier said than done but always try to see the funny side. Sometimes cruel irony in its own way is funny if you think about it. The Stoics believed that to re-frame misfortune as comedy and find wit in the most inappropriate circumstances was like wearing an extra layer of armor. Someone can insult us or beat us to the ground but if we laugh at them and counter their insult with a joke they have failed to harm us.
One of the greatest assets of an Infantryman is a sense of humor. Without it he is virtually guaranteed misery in service. The spontaneous hilarity, the endless practical jokes and good natured ribbing kept many of us from going insane and brought us closer together. So it is with any family; those that laugh together stay together.
Laugh it Off
Learn to laugh again if you think you’ve forgotten how, you are wrong. There were many times in my depression and alcoholism that I no longer saw the lighter side and then I would surprise myself. A sense of humor can sometimes get us into trouble. Regardless so can a serious disposition or a sour attitude, so better to laugh. Good humor used well can be infectious, so spread it around and most of all remember to laugh at yourself.
“Surround yourself with people who take their work seriously but not themselves” – General Colin Powell (ret)
How humor heals
1. Fear and depression are disarmed as laughter reminds us they are impermanent. We do get through them, “this too shall pass”.
2. Humor releases endorphins and relaxes tension. Laughter feels good.
3. Dr. Patch Adams used laughter as medicine to treat pain and promote recovery.
4. Humor increases immunity by promoting immunoglobulin.
5. Stress hormones are reduced through laughter.
6. Humor cultivates optimism. If we can laugh something off we suddenly feel positive in the face of adversity.
7. Humor deescalates tension and conflict. Ive been in some very tense moments when a joke said by someone at exactly the right time or even a dropped fart has resulted in fits of laughter, insults and oaths are forgotten.