Humor is more than a tool for survival—at its best, it becomes an act of redemption. Humor allows us to redeem moments that might otherwise have been lost to pain or despair. Being able to laugh is sometimes more about working through an issue that it is about avoiding or treating it lightly.
Gina Barreca as quoted in “Reader’s Advisory and Bibliotherapy: Helping and Healing?” by Brian W. Sturm
I need to laugh, it is a daily essential. Laughter is good for my soul. I use laughter to help me through boredom, sorrow and of course joy.
When selecting books, I do read a lot of serious stories but they generally have an element of humor. It is a nice surprise when the author adds a great one liner or witty comment to lighten the mood during a particular solemn section of a book. This is true of life. There have been many occasions when I have felt grim and then someone will say something to change my entire mood; unfortunately, something negative can happen or be uttered yielding the opposite effect.
The day after my mother passed away, I went to the bookstore. I needed to escape; I needed some bibliotherapy. I recently grabbed the book that I read during that time period, a bookmark from my mom’s funeral is inside the front cover. Reading helped me through a rough time in my life.
Reading and laughter are coping methods.
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So true. Reading and laughter - like music and art and good food - all are the stuff that make life bearable.
ReplyDeleteWords have meaning - after all.