Week of April 5th

With our days getting longer and the skies a bit brighter, we have been mindful to the sensations of warmth and sunlight. We have noticed an easy smile, relaxed shoulders, and a rhythmic drumming in our chests as we begin our march to summer. These observations are a stark contrast to what we were noticing in our winter months, and they have us considering the functions of light both literally and figuratively.

Concretely, light helps us to see what we otherwise cannot. A metaphorical conceptualization affiliates light with lightheartedness, an easy manner, and levity. This week, we are paying attention to how humor helps change our perspectives to help us see things in new ways.

We all love a good joke. The pros of humor and laughter seem endless! For one, we get to break with the seriousness of life and be playful with a looser, sillier side of our minds. Laughter can bring people together, diffuse conflict, and ease the emotional burden of everyday mishaps. When misused, humor can be invalidating or outright offensive. Maladaptive humor responses could also be avoiding our own emotions, or the emotions of others. When we walk the middle path with using humor, we both see the vulnerability of the moment and simultaneously choose a lighthearted interpretation as a way to get through it.

Can you remember the last time you laughed? What prompted the giggle? We look forward to hearing your funny stories and good jokes if you’ve got ‘em!