By Mac Pomeroy
I have a habit of making dumb jokes at every opportunity. Last year, I had operations on both of my shoulders and ended up in arm slings twice. Each time, I slipped a Push Pop down there and said I had some arm candy. As I said before, I make dumb jokes.
However, no matter how stupid they are, these jokes mean a lot to me. Even after something as major and painful as shoulder reconstruction, these jokes made me laugh and let me have something to be happy about.
Often, we overlook the value of humor. We roll our eyes at puns, scoff at sarcasm and treat comedy like it is a waste of time. But actually, humor and the ability to laugh are some of the most important things in life.
Life doesn’t always seem so bright. Whether you’re faced with a loss in the family, medical problems or simply handling the end of the semester, it’s not always easy to find a reason to smile.
But it is very important to try. Happiness is a difficult goal to pursue, but it’s something that you must try for. And inevitably, no one can get your happiness for you.
But just because we must each find our own happiness doesn’t mean we can’t help each other along the way.
Humor is a simple way to find happiness. For me, making other people laugh is one of the greatest things in the world. I like making my stupid jokes and seeing people try their best not to laugh at it or seeing them downright fall over, howling with amusement.
Jokes allow us to connect with each other. They even allow complete strangers to find a common ground. Just a basic joke about how terrible the weather in Ohio is can break down walls and allow for new, interesting interactions.
On my first day of college, I didn’t know anyone. But sitting at a table nearby was a student wearing a floral print, just as I was. So, I made a joke that one of us was going to have to change. Admittedly, it is a bit awkward looking back, but that person didn’t care. That person started laughing, and we started talking.
Jokes allowed me to make one of my first really good friends here on campus.
So, go on. Make that stupid dad pun. Tell a knock-knock joke. Go full-on existential if that is what you find funny.
Don’t be afraid to show your sense of humor. As long as you aren’t being harmful, who knows? Maybe the person beside you shares in your laughter.
Maybe humor can be your way to connect and find your own happiness.