Humor and Health: I’m Not Funny

Humor and Health: I’m Not Funny

This entire month was filled with encounters and opportunities to laugh. I’ve failed to post since my blog about positivity due to travel and busyness. I’ll tell you more about that later. Let’s move right into humor and health as I tell you why I’m not funny. In the end, you can decide. 

Humor and Health: I’m Not Funny

Not a Joker – Listening to me tell a joke is painful. I forget parts and have to back up and add them in. I never remember the punchline. It’s useless, so I gave it up years ago. I think too much to be funny. 

Nerdishness – I’m okay with being the person who takes life seriously. I want a good outcome. I’m not going to miss a thing in life. I eat well when I’m sick. I want it all, even if that means hard work. My inner life, daily routines, relationships, and spirituality all point to the fact that I put in the time to make sure that nothing is left to chance. Some people like me have what is called a dry sense of humor. I don’t. 

Tender Heart – Sarcasm is not easy for me. I didn’t like listening to Don Rickles when I was growing up. I can’t make fun of people. Our boys are hilariously sarcastic, and also have the best hearts in the world. When they jab, we know it’s from a love of jest and fun. When I jab back at them and get a laugh, it feels so very good. But it’s not a natural thing for me.

I’m so Punny – The problem is, I’m usually the only one who gets my puns. My family will tell you they spend more time laughing at My Laughter than at the jokes I make. I have a loud, explosive Oh HA HA HA kind of laugh. My daughter is also quite serious, but in NYC, we laughed it up, especially while in a live audience with Jimmy Fallon. 

An Education in Humorosity

Sickness and Health Humor – At a recent Health Union (HU) workshop in Philly, our keynote speaker was Nora McInerny. She’s a true stand up comedian, author, and podcaster. She’s a person who has experienced tragedy and keeps moving forward. She has won my  respect, and my heart with her insight into humor. Google her podcast: “Terrible, Thanks for Asking” and her books, including one I’m reading now: “No Happy Endings”. An entire room of health advocates laughed til we cried during her presentation. I wrote a funny blog for HU, it got some traffic and was titled What Not to Say to a Person with Hepatitis I’m still not funny.

Humor School – Next up in Philly, Rebecca Braglio led us in a break out session titled “How to Use Humor Effectively”. She was brilliant …. and funny. During the Q & A, my friend Lawrence and I had some fun with our lack of humor. I held the mike to ask a question saying, “Hi. I’m Karen and I’m not funny…”  and talked about making use of the ridiculous, which is a form of humor I’m quite good at.

Don’t Be Ridiculous

Making Use of the Ridiculous – This is also known the old laugh to keep from crying type of humor. Here’s a recent example of how I always find a way of laughing at any situation: I had planned a simple dinner on the back deck only to find tiny ants swarming around a giant queen ant nest. After washing off the ants, I showered and wore my bathrobe declaring I was the only queen on this deck. I laughed my butt off. I’m the queen of hearts. Royal pink bathrobe. Get it? Anyway…  you had to be there.

Humor and Health

At the Health Union Connexion, all of the patient advocates were sincerely joyful. We are at all stages of our journey with health conditions, and anyone else in the room could feel our enthusiasm and zest for life. You can check out the variety of health topics they all talk about here. Everything from migraine to MS, all types of cancer, skin, and lung ailments are covered by caring and mostly funny advocates. It’s not easy for seriously sick people. I called this blog humor and health: I’m not funny – but I have learned to try and make fun of liver disease, chronic illness, Hepatitis, organ transplantation, and cancer.

I’m always going to be looking for something positive to laugh about. So there is a chance I could turn out to be a real stand up kind of girl. I am the one who is nerdy, punny, and making use of the ridiculous. I’m working hard at finding the humor in health problems, and I hope you can too dear friend. XO Karen