Humour

The Importance of Humour
Summary: Discusses the importance of humour and explores many different uses for humour. Describes how humour can be used negatively.

Humour is the tendency to look at things from the mirthful or incongruous side. It is the quality that makes something laughable or amusing. Humour is the ability to perceive, enjoy, or express what is amusing or comical. It is the source of laughter and the catalyst of smiles. Humour is the spark that lights our eyes as well as the cause of tears that never grows old. Humour is a state of mind.

Most of us have a tendency to regard a clever sense of humour as the distinction of a person who is good hearted and friendly, someone people feel at ease with. They are "life of the party" we always invite and the co-worker who always has a joke. Everyone has the jocular family member that they always look forward to seeing. We remember the kid in school that always made the class break into laughter. Humour is never forgotten when we reminisce and it is just as amusing as it was the first time.

Humour can be used like a sniper's gun, picking people off when they least expect it. When we use humour to hurt, we abuse the fundamental essence of this wonderful gift. We must teach our children the difference between what is funny and what is cruel. A joke is never humourous if it is at the expense of another.

Some people use humour to hide from their real emotions. Using humour to help get through the difficult times is a lot different than using humour to hide from them.
Hiding behind humour can be a serious problem; it can not be the only way of expressing our emotions. Some of the greatest comedians have been secretly depressed. Using humour as a defense mechanism can be a serious mental health issue.

Those who use humour to its best advantage teach others by example. Instead of getting angry when something goes wrong, we should try to look for the humour in the situation. It eases tensions and keeps things in perspective. Humour can energize us when a task has become tedious. Humour can make even the worst of situations tolerable.
Humour has been the source of entertainment throughout history. Today humour is practiced in movies, plays, songs, television shows and radio. Humour has brought fame and fortune to those who have mastered its power. Humour is the universal language. Although it is true that different people find humour in different things, we all like to laugh.

Humour should be a prerequisite to life's lessons. It helps keep us sane; keeps us from taking ourselves too seriously. It calms our apprehensions and puts life's imperfections into perspective. Humour is the diversion we need to get us through the trials and tribulations of our lives. Humour is the ability to laugh at ourselves and only to laugh with others. Humour is the defining characteristic between the pessimist and the optimist. Humour may be defined as sudden whim, but being whimsical is not all bad.