Note #015

March 23, 2020

Can We Laugh During a World Crisis?

Things in the world are serious right now. And we should take them seriously. We are experiencing things now that we, as people alive on this planet right now, have not ever experienced. In the history of humanity, others have endured crisis similar to this, but not us. This is new to us.

And many of us don’t know how to react, we don’t know what to believe. We want to do our part to help “flatten the curve”, so we’re trying. We’re staying home. We’re keeping 6 feet between us and the next guy or girl. We’re using bleach wipes and washing our hands.

 And we walk around with the pinched face of fear. We stay glued to our social media and the news and we get toxified from it. 

Let’s get detoxed. Let’s laugh, or at least smile. Not disrespectfully. Not at anyone. Certainly not at the situation! Like at a funeral, or the reception thereafter. We can still enjoy each other and good memories and stories – and be sad at the same time. Like at the funeral, something has changed in our lives. Forever. Things don’t ever go back to “like it was”. We don’t know how this will all end, but we can still find moments of joy and humor. 

Stay connected with those you love most. Instead of talking about the crisis, share good stories or tell a good joke – or a totally corny one – with each other.  Talk about the good old days if you like. Give each other a sense of hope. 

If you must watch something, watch your pets play together. If you are lucky enough to have birds or squirrels outside your windows, watch them. Watch your children, and feel how much your heart opens when you see their beauty, their creativity, their sensitivity to others. And their uncertainly. Marvel at their humanity and their capacity to feel and think.

As much as you can, try to limit the time you watch the news. It is good to be informed. It is not useful to be overwhelmed with fear and anxiety. We all know how to take precautions now. Let’s take them. Let’s do be careful. And, let’s also remember that the human race is extremely resilient. We are strong! We are so loving, so compassionate. And we are funny, which is a good thing. Humor helps us make it through the tricky times. Please don’t forget to smile today.