“There is a thin line that separates laughter and pain, comedy and tragedy, humor and hurt.” Erma Bombeck
Thoughts to share – aahh…the end of an era, David Letterman retires – a time of comedy, deep thought and reflection.
I’ve been watching David Letterman since he first appeared back in the 80’s…I would watch his show while preparing my next day’s agenda of ‘things-to-do‘, contacting record companies, booking bands, clubs and schools…my work in the music business was stressful as all heck and I loved to end the day with comedy. So between commercial breaks and deep into the night, I tackled my work projects, but, this self-confessed ‘work-a-holic‘ knew enough inside of me, that I needed time to LAUGH!! And David Letterman and many of his guests, did know how to bring me smiles, chuckles and deep laughter. Back then, I also booked comedians into many of the night clubs and colleges I worked with – I had an open door policy for several of the comedy clubs in Boston and Cambridge, MA, because that is where I found the talent to book – that was a great gig, getting paid to bring laughter to others. And being on the guest list!!!
Later on in the early 90’s, when the demons of the past came back to haunt me and knock me down for a few years…comedy was no longer funny to me while severely depressed and in the middle of overwhelming flashbacks from the past. I suspect the vast amount of drugs prescribed to me, to ‘help me‘, also had a part in my inability to listen to comedy, heck, even listening to music back then was impossible, as it only sounded like so much noise.
Eventually, finding friends and peers who helped guide me to trauma awareness and learning all that I could about the impact of trauma, abuse and depression upon my life, helped pave the way for healing to take place…and so grateful for that. And, it helped to open up the doors for comedy to once again, be funny in my life.
There are studies that show how important laughter and a deep belly laugh can be so darn healthy. And heck, it’s fun and liberating. Intrinsically, I have always felt, that we all know how to help ourselves heal…and for me, laughing is one of the key ingredients to my finding peace and happiness in life.
I shall miss David Letterman, the show, Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra and the many silly, goofy antics of his team. I wonder if my girlfriend will miss my deep laughing late at night which has woken her up at times…though she has told me she loves to hear me laugh – even when waking her out of a deep sleep while in the other room with the door closed. Yes, Letterman did indeed, bring me many deep belly laughs and I am so darn grateful for that…hmnn…I think doctors need to write more prescriptions for comedy.
Thank you, Michael Skinner
Laughter is the Best Medicine: The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter – The Health Benefits of Humor and Laughter
“Most comedy is based on getting a laugh at somebody else’s expense. And I find that that’s just a form of bullying in a major way. So I want to be an example that you can be funny and be kind, and make people laugh without hurting somebody else’s feelings.” Ellen DeGeneres
“For me, comedy starts as a spew, a kind of explosion, and then you sculpt it from there, if at all. It comes out of a deeper, darker side. Maybe it comes from anger, because I’m outraged by cruel absurdities, the hypocrisy that exists everywhere, even within yourself, where it’s hardest to see.” Robin Williams
Has humor helped you in your healing journey? – please let me know, thanks!! Contact me
