Step Ten: Smile and Laugh a Lot

“The human race has only one effective weapon – and that is laughter.”

Mark Twain

“Laughter is the best medicine.”

“He who laughs last, lasts.”

Science tells us that smiling and laughter release endorphins in our bodies which combat our stress and heal the wear and tear on our systems.

It is the wise person who can carry their smile and ability to share a laugh that can turn the dark side of human nature back to our better selves.

• • The attitude a manager maintains affects the morale of the staff she manages. If you laugh frequently and easily, the office is likely to be extremely productive and a fun place to work. If you “don’t do laughter,” joy can turn to a dark feeling of oppression; productivity suffers and play in the work environment disappears completely.
  • Fun challenges bureaucracy and rules. It mocks authority, pompousness, and self-righteous behavior. Fun breaks the tension of life’s experiences, and it’s hardwired into all of us.
  • Fun is part of our heritage. In his book. “Fun: Four Centuries of Joyous Revolt.” Author John Beckman details how Americans have used fun to bridge conflict and tension, and to mock authority, pompousness, and self-righteous behavior. He writes, “From Flappers to Fallon, fun has pricked the mighty and made us laugh while we go about the daily task of improving our lives and making our country a better place.”
  • Smiling and laughing cost nothing. They need no special skills and take virtually no time to accomplish. Yet, a smile or laugh can be the most positively contagious thing.
  • Greet everyone with a smile, take the time for a hearty belly laugh at a joke, or even at yourself. You will find others eager to join in the fun.

“Start every day off with a smile and get it over with.”

— W.C.Fields