Sprinkle Seeds of Humor
“The most wasted day is one without laughter.” – E.E. Cummings
Welcome back to Flourishing Friday! We have only a few more posts to go in this summer series featuring chapters from my book Withering to Flourishing. This week is about one of the most healing forces on earth: humor.
It may seem simple, but laughter is a secret superpower, especially in seasons that feel anything but light.
A sad Thanksgiving that was uplifted
I shared in the book about a past Thanksgiving of ours that looked nothing like the ones we were used to. We had just sold our home in Arizona and were living in a small condo while our daughters finished the school year. My husband had already relocated to California for work, and we were navigating the ache of transition—and the recent loss of our beloved dog, Cassie. That holiday was quiet, somber, and heavy.
Still, something shifted that evening. I asked everyone to share one thing that always made them laugh—and I reminded them how naturally funny they are. Before long, the girls were telling silly jokes, my husband shared a hilarious story, and the laughter started flowing.
The heaviness didn’t disappear completely, but it lifted. We laughed until our sides hurt, and for a moment, the gloom gave way to joy.
Humor won’t change the facts of your life, but it can change the feeling.
I also shared some of our funniest family memories, which started as frustrating or awkward moments—like the time I fell into the pool right before Meet the Teacher Night, or when our family accidentally showed up completely underdressed to a wake. At the time, I cringed. Now? We laugh about them regularly.
They weren’t just mishaps—they were comedic detours on the road to healing.
One of the most cherished gifts I’ve ever received from my family is what we call the “Happy Box”. It's a silver cube filled with handwritten funny memories from my family. On the hardest days, I open it and let those stories remind me: joy always finds a way back.
Science backs this up. Laughter reduces stress, boosts endorphins, and strengthens relationships. It reminds us that even in pain, lightness is possible.
So if you're in a season of “withering,” try seeking out laughter. Watch something silly. Call that friend who always makes you laugh. Maybe start your own Happy Box.
To read how humor and other actions I took helped me bloom again after a personal storm in my life, pick up your copy of Withering to Flourishing, 9 ways to bloom again after the storm passed, HERE. You can catch up on other Flourishing Friday posts HERE.
