Feel Good Friday – Stress is a Laughing Matter

 

Judy Carter, Comedian, and Author of the Comedy Bible

Stress is a Laughing Matter is a phrase used by Judy Carter, author, and comedian. This was also the title of a workshop Judy facilitated at the Erma Bombeck Writers Workshop (October 2022). Judy encouraged the audience to look at our problems as punchlines. She speaks and writes about finding happiness when you’re stressed.

You may be wondering how stress can be a laughing matter. Well, it’s actually how you deal with stress that involves laughter. Whether you want to perform stand-up comedy, add humor to your writing, or just make it through a challenging time, laughter helps. Laughter as well as storytelling that can be healing.

I’m in the process of turning a problem into a punchline. Here’s my story, it’s a tale of aging.

The radio in my bathroom was blaring with the latest pop song. The volume was cranked up so I could hear it over the pulsating shower water. I hummed to the tunes as I lathered, rinsed, and began to dry off. I pulled the shower curtain open, and a cool breeze tickled my nose, which caused a gentle sneeze…that threw my back out.

I was standing there alone, just me, the radio, and my towel; standing bent over in excruciating pain each time I tried to stand upright. All I could do was tilt my head upward as I thought, what just happened? Did I sneeze and throw my back out? Am I about to die clean, but ashy?

Of course, I was being a drama queen, but I needed a distraction form the pain. The situation was in no way funny at the time. A couple of days later after an Aleve and a lidocaine patch, I took a few minutes to reflect.

I took that painful incident and added it to a comedy set that I was working on. Using the art of exaggeration, the situation was made to appear ginormous (gigantic and enormous). I’m not sure that’s a real word, but it added an element of humor.

How can you turn stress into a laughing matter? Give it a try. Think of a situation that was not funny at the time it was occurring. Share your story with a friend, but retell it using exaggeration, and acting it out. You’re on your way to using laughter to relieve a little stress.

Stress is a laughing matter, that’s my point of view…and Judy’s, and I’m sticking with it.

Wordless Wednesday - I Love to Write Day

 Any day is a good day to write. However if you missed National I Love to Write Day (November 15), you can still acknowledge the craft of writing. Share a writing tip or encouraging advice about the writing/creating process.

Here is a sample of my process in pictures:

Motivational Monday – National Entrepreneur’s Day

My son's Luxury Car Rental business

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Michael Jordan is known for saying this quote. For Michael Jordan, this quote related to his determination in the area of basketball. Apply this quote to an area in your life.

Have you ever thought about being an entrepreneur? National Entrepreneur’s Day is recognized on November 15. If your passion is to start a business of your own, but you’ve pushed the thought aside, now is a good time to refocus. What is your why? Why do you want to go into business. Your why needs to be strong in order to drive your determination.

If you have no desire to be an entrepreneur, don’t stop reading yet. You can participate in National Entrepreneur’s Day by supporting an entrepreneur. Perhaps you know a friend, or a friend of a friend who has started a business. Help them get the word out about their product. Mention them on social media or connect them with someone who may benefit from their product.

Commercial break over, back to your passion.

My sons both decided they wanted to own their own businesses. They have been working almost a year to lay their foundation, establish connections etc. I asked one son what made him want to start his own business.

“I always wanted to be a CEO. I learned in college about what it means to be an entrepreneur.”

I also asked my son what advice he would give someone interested in becoming an entrepreneur.

“Know what you’re good at and what you’re willing to do; dedicate your energy to that.”

I asked my other son what the driving force behind his decision was to start his own business. He said, “I like the freedom that comes with it, being on your own schedule and time frame.”

The next question I asked my son was, “How did you figure out what you wanted to do?”

“I asked questions about everyday life, figured out what I was good at then worked to master my skills.”

My sons are still working to achieve their goals, they know it will take time and dedication. They have a strong why…I think it’s to get out of Mama’s space.

My takeaway from the conversation with my sons is that you can do whatever you set your to do. Create a plan and work your plan.

My son's Logistics Business

I’ve posted a picture/flyer about each sons’ business. Support an entrepreneur today or get started on your business if that is your dream. Reach for the stars. Take a shot, and keep taking them…Michael Jordan did.