Chips and Laughter

Marvelous the way we can consciously bring laughter into our day! Make it happen and see the change.

I have a deep affinity for James Hilton’s Goodbye Mr. Chips. From my years teaching, I have grown to understand the complexities of the character even though what initially drew me to the book was its endearing simplicity.  

As memories passed before me while I scanned the brittle, dog-eared pages, I landed on one particular passage about Mr. Chipping that resonated with me this week:

Laughter… laughter… wherever he went and whatever he said, there was laughter. He had earned the reputation of being a great jester, and jests were expected of him. 

“Old Chips was in fine form,” they would say afterward. “Marvelous the way he can always see the funny side of things….”

As basic as laughter seems, it is easily taken for granted, yet is so important to us. We know that laughter enhances cognitive function, relieves stress and tension, boosts the immune system, and increases resilience.

When was the last time you laughed? How easily does it come to you? How do you - or can you - bring laughter into your daily life?  

Here are a few ways to be sure you laugh daily:

• Reach out to someone who makes you laugh - even if you haven’t been in touch in a while

• Make time to watch your favorite comedy - or at least a couple of clips of it

• Listen to the laughter of strangers and take it in - make it contagious

• Laugh at yourself - we do silly things all the time and shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously

Marvelous the way we can consciously bring laughter into our day! If it is not in your nature to laugh, practice opening up to laughter. If you are going through a difficult time, remember to use laughter as a way through the haze. If you need someone to help you find laughter again, coaching can help.