Let's laugh

Easter is the moment of joy so I think that we should take a little break from the serious concerns of daily living especially because the North Koreans are planning or threatening to launch their missile that can carry (now or in future) a nuclear warhead.

While the distance from here to Korean is quite far and that rocket can be shot down by the United States, South Korea and Japan in seconds in case it goes other than into the Korean Sea or into to the vast Pacific, our government has taken this opportunity to raise alarm and divert our attention from the continuing problems of rising this and rising that.

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile had a campaign slogan, “Gusto ko happy ka!” and now he says that we relax because it is healthier to think positive than negative.

Ruben Gicaro, the father-in-law of my son and who is now settled in Seattle, Washington State, gave me a book that I read as often as I can squeeze while waiting for some people or something. The book, “Healing through Humor“, by Charles Frances Hunter (Creation House Press, 2003) is a book of “fabulous jokes.”

The book is intended for those who find health through jokes. It quotes the Proverbs 17:22 which say “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

It has 180 pages with dozens of jokes but I can share with you a few just to make you laugh and let the world go by. Some people I know are on the edge so a few lines from the book will help, at least to make you smile for just a second. So here are a few quotes that I like from the first few pages.

Án important official who was visiting a mental institution made telephone call but had difficulty getting his number. Finally, in exasperation, he shouted to the operator, “Look here, girl, do you know who I am?”

No, “she replied calmly,” but I know where you are.” Next time a big shot shouts for prompt service think of this important official. He probably does not know where or what he is.

Here's another. “A woman was in a gambling casino for the first time. At the roulette table she said, “I have no idea what number to play.” A young good-looking man nearby suggested that she plays her age. Smiling and blinking her eyelashes at the man, she put her money on 32. The wheel spun and 41 came up. The smile drifted from the woman's face and she fainted.” Next time tell the truth.

Here's for first time plane traveler. “It was a young blonde's first plan trip. She boarded the aircraft and the found a window seat in the non-smoking section and settled in. A man came over and insisted that she was in his seat. She told him to go away. Ok, replied the man. If that's the way you want it you fly the plane.”

If you think that the news lately had made you think this world is going nuts, read this story and perhaps you will think differently or maybe do something different.

“The shipwrecked mariner had spent several years on a deserted island. Then one morning he was thrilled to see a ship offshore and a smaller vessel pulling out toward him. When the boat grounded on the beach, the officer in charge handed the marooned sailor a bundle of newspapers and told him, ‘With the captain's compliments. He said to read through these and let us know if you still want to be rescued.”

Surely you believe in the power of mind over matter. Here's a case for you. “Stressing the importance of a large vocabulary, the English teacher told the class, ‘Use the word ten times, and it will be yours for life.' In the back of the room a pert young lady closed her eyes and was heard chanting under her breath, ‘Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles, Charles.'”

Equal rights movement has gotten into the head of this woman and she wants to prove it. “A feminist walked into a bar that had a sign marked, ‘For Men Only.' I'm sorry ma'am, said the bartender. We only serve men in this place.” “Great,” she said, “I'll take two of them.”

Here's about the many myths about the honesty of George Washington. “The teacher posed a question: George Washington not only chopped down his father's cherry tree, but he admitted doing it. Now, do you know why his father did not punish him? “Quickly one of the students replied, ‘Because George still had the axe in his hands.'”

Let's end this with a child's wisdom – “laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry… and someone yells ‘shut up!'”*

back to top