Beech Tree News Network

Laughter is like medicine.  Once, first wife Bett and I attended a church function back in our hometown.  We parked behind and walked in the back door facing the audience.  We were greeting old friends before the service started.  When we got seated I happened to look down to find the strategic front of my pants was open.  Fact is the zipper had just given up and separated.  I pulled by suit coat off and held it in front of me the rest of the evening.  “I hope on one noticed my raggedy shorts,” I quivered.
Self-directed humor is not threatening.  Someone said because there is a touch of cowardice in us all, it’s reassuring to hear someone else laugh at himself. 
Comedian, Bob Hope, made a living out of self-directed humor.  “A lot of people know I used to be a boxer, back in Cleveland,” he said, “many times I had to be carried both ways, into the ring and out.”
Former Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Earl Warren, said years ago when he was running for district attorney in California, he was invited to speak at “Candidate Night.”  By the time they got to him every one had left; alphabetically he was next to the last person to speak. “By the time I took the rostrum,” he said, “only one person remained in the audience.  Grateful for even on listener, I gave my talk, and stepped down to thank the man who stayed to hear me.  He spoke quickly as we shook hands.  “I wouldn’t want you to think I’m sailing under false colors, Mr. Warren.  My name is Young and I’m running for coroner.”
It’s been said that self-directed humor is a healing kind of laughter.  An eminent psychiatrist once told: “I’ve seldom been called on to help a person who could really laugh at himself.”
Former English Prime Minister of England, David Lloyd George, who like most colorful personalities had his full share of enemies, related, “Once a Brit plunged into the raging sea to rescue a man floating face-down.  Onlookers were puzzled to see the rescuer turn the victim over and gaze earnestly into his face before towing him ashore.  Asked why he did that, “Before I brought him in,” the rescuer said, “ I wanted to be sure it wasn’t Lloyd George.”
We need to make sport of ourselves more often.
Kindest regards…