The Power of Laughter

Are you joking??

Recently my dad had three heart bypasses and a major vein replacement. It was a scary, uncertain time and we were all terribly anxious. Doctors and nurses were coming and going, asking questions, and preparing us with all sorts of information. Even though they tried their best to communicate the process, it was still all so confusing, and the waiting drove us crazy!

Enter Suppose (name anagram), the porter. He just beamed with friendliness and without realising, cheered everybody up! He made silly jokes and had some of us (the nurses were used to his antics and rolled their eyes) keeling over with laughter! He rolled my dad into the theatre where we could not follow, and we took this picture. See that smile? Suppose made the whole ordeal so much easier with his big bright smile.

There are many times in our businesses that are scary. Especially enduring these uncertain times. Terrifying. Confusing, the anxiousness of waiting for the outcome of hard work to pay off. This is when we must add a bit of humour to our work life. It may seem counterproductive but some of the greatest minds in business teach us that 60 seconds of laughter changes how we look at the world. It relieves stress, even just for that minute. The stuff of nightmares and that which keeps us awake at night. Laughter releases endorphins and all the happy chemicals needed to focus again and look at challenges from a different perspective. 

My dad had a successful surgery, and the outcome was better than expected! I think of Suppose a lot. Every time I look at this picture, I hardly even remember the utter despair of not knowing what will happen to our family if my dad did not make it through surgery.

Next time you feel anxious about your business, try to find something to cheer you up. I’m not suggesting watching a 2-hour movie, one minute’s laughter will do the world of good. Watch a funny clip on YouTube - Trevor Noah usually does it for me!

How will you keep your cool? How many times have you laughed this year? Do you realise how it has influenced your success? I hope you can find your ‘Suppose’ today.

I’ll leave you with this: What did the one ocean say to the other? Nothing. They just waved.