In wake of tragedies, American humor resurfaces

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The pundits, the late-night talk-show hosts and everyday citizens have been asking the following question: "After Sept. 11th, when will it be OK to laugh again?" With the continuing sense of tragedy, anthrax anxiety and general disruption of our lives, there is almost a guilty pleasure in smiling or laughing. It somehow feels wrong to laugh when so many lives have been brutalized by terrorism.|ret||ret||tab|

My answer to this question came about a week after the atrocity. I received an e-mail from a friend with the following joke: "U.S. to the Taliban: Give us Os-ama Bin Laden or we'll send your wives to college!" My first smile. It was such a huge relief. I remember thinking: "This country will be fine. We will always have our sense of humor!"|ret||ret||tab|

A few weeks ago, President Bush hosted a large group of Latin entertainers and representatives for National Hispanic Heritage month. It was a very emotional occasion with a lot of tears and strong, patriotic singing. |ret||ret||tab|

In short, it was moving, but tense. After the singing, President Bush took to the platform and said, "Mi Casa Blanca es su Casa Blanca." This variation on the old "mi casa es su casa" brought down the house. |ret||ret||tab|

It was not the funniest joke the audience had ever heard. It wasn't said with the best Spanish accent. |ret||ret||tab|

However, it was perfect for the occasion. A small snippet of humor lessened the tension incredibly.|ret||ret||tab|

Extensive studies on laughter and humor have been done by Dr. Lee Berk who is with the University of California, Irvine. Berk has discovered that children laugh an average of 400 times a day and that adults laugh an average of only 15. Depending on one's job, it might be even less!!! He also found that laughter increases the body's ability to fight off infectious disease (it strengthens the immune system). It also works as a natural analgesic, actually helping us to fight pain. Most of all, laughter releases endorphins in our brain which make us feel good.|ret||ret||tab|

Further studies are showing that laughter helps the right and left side of the brain work together. In that way, we are more creative and productive when we laugh. |ret||ret||tab|

Therefore, it not only OK to laugh again, but it is essential for productivity and health!|ret||ret||tab|

Here are some ways to bring laughter into the workplace, even if you don't think you have comic potential:|ret||ret||tab|

Use passive humor. Active humor is simple: I tell a joke. You laugh. I slip on a banana peel. You laugh. Passive humor is easier to implement in the workplace. Passive humor would include:|ret||ret||tab|

Jokes, cartoons or humorous quotes on e-mails, faxes or letters.|ret||ret||tab|

Posting a humor bulletin board for em-ployees and/or customers, which is changed often to keep it fresh.|ret||ret||tab|

Decorating for holidays in a whimsical manner. Having costume or hat days.|ret||ret||tab|

Beginning all meetings with jokes or little mixer games.|ret||ret||tab|

Pointing out the absurdity and humor in everyday situations.|ret||ret||tab|

Make sure that the humor used in an office setting is not sexist, racist, sexual or in bad taste!|ret||ret||tab|

The use of humor in a workplace brings an important quality to an em-ployee that of belonging. The first time you are able to participate in an "in" joke is the first day you feel part of the team!|ret||ret||tab|

On Sunday, Oct. 28, a memorial service was held for the families of the World Trade Center victims. |ret||ret||tab|

It was held at Ground Zero. While the families listened to the many beautiful prayers and songs, they also could view the devastation of the destroyed towers. Fire hoses played continually on the smoking ruins. It was surreal, yet a somehow comforting event.|ret||ret||tab|

The heart-gripping part was the family members holding up pictures of their loved ones. A father proudly showed the picture of his handsome, laughing son to the cameras. A husband and daughter held up a family portrait with a smiling mother. A mother wept as she held up the picture of her happy daughter at her wedding. There were many pictures of firemen and policemen.|ret||ret||tab|

The attendees seemed to be saying: "Don't forget! Please remember!"|ret||ret||tab|

The main thing that I noticed was that in all the pictures, the subjects were smiling, happy and, often, laughing.|ret||ret||tab|

It seems to me that it is OK to laugh again. That is what the victims would have wanted. It is not a question of laughing at tragic events. It is having the perspective to laugh at the absurdities of life.|ret||ret||tab|

(Sinara Stull O'Donnell is a writer and professional speaker in the career arena through her company Sinara Speaks.)[[In-content Ad]]