How to Misuse Humor

By Cliff Kuhn, M.D.
The Laugh Doctor
"It all starts with a SMILE"

Every now and again I like to dispel some myths about humor. One
of the worst is the myth that you can laugh away your
problems and woes. Throughout my career as The Laugh Doctor,
I've had to remind people that humor is not a cure-all.

Humor does not take the place of sound, reasonable, and sober
approaches to your life's challenges. Humor makes it easier to
navigate them. Allow me to give you an example.

Everyone deals with unwanted and uncomfortable feelings. It may
be fear, anger, worry, stress, or a myriad of others which
causes you particular pain. And one of the worst ways of
dealing with unwanted and uncomfortable feelings is to avoid
them.

There are many ways you can avoid feeling unwanted feelings and
most of them will cause you even more pain in very short order. People
find themselves eating too much or using drugs, among
other things, simply to avoid feeling their feelings. And, yes,
laughter can be misused in this way too and, when it is, it
becomes unhealthy humor.

As opposed to the unhealthy variety, healthy humor is gentle and
light. It does not have a victim and it is inclusive. Everyone
can enjoy it. Healthy humor is about enjoying the continual
flow of good will and positive energy the universe provides us,
even during our frustrations and trials.

And, used properly, healthy humor is your greatest ally when
dealing with your unwanted feelings. Why? Because humor is one
of the three most effective ways to root yourself in this moment
(along with sex and gunfire). And, when it comes to unwanted
feelings, your relief will always be found in this moment.

You see, when you are out of this moment and focused on the past
or the future, your feelings quickly become your state of
being. Your feelings become who you are.

But when you are rooted in this moment, your feelings are simply
something you're feeling in this moment. As opposed to who you
are! This is difference between saying, "I am angry" and "I
feel angry". Pretty dramatic, huh?

Try it for yourself. If you're like most people you probably
have something that's pressing on your right now. Put a smile
on your face and focus on something you can see or hear that
offers you a gentle tickle. Then say to yourself, "I feel
(insert your unwanted feeling here) in this moment."

All of a sudden, you are merely feeling a feeling instead of
owning the feeling. That doesn't make the feeling go away (its
not supposed to) nor does it "solve" the issue creating the
feeling. But it sure as heck puts you in a better place to not
only address the issue more rationally, but also to function
more successfully in your life while you're addressing it.

So use humor today to root you in this moment. And don't be
afraid to feel your feelings. You've got everything you need to
not only survive them, but to thrive through them. Put on a
smile and get started now!

Your Attention Please!

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Read Our Featured Article

All parents want to use family fun to help educate their children
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Some Humor to Help You Smile

Dr. Seuss (Don't let this happen to you!)

"Love is an exploding cigar we willingly smoke."

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Cliff Kuhn, M.D.
The Laugh Doctor
7406 Wesboro Road
Louisville, KY 40242
"It all starts with a SMILE"