"A person without a sense of humor is like a wagon without springs — jolted by every pebble in the road." Henry Ward Beecher
Sometimes life is not funny … like during a midlife divorce or during a funeral or when our children are facing hard circumstances or during a stressful, intense time. Those specific situations may not be funny, but a sense of humor doesn't always have to be hold your sides, tear producing, uncontrollable guffaws and belly laughs.
In fact, I got to wondering what does a "sense of humor" mean? We say, "She has a good sense of humor," but what does that really mean? The dictionary defines sense as "A conscious perception or sensation derived through the senses or through the intellect ; i.e. a sense of direction; a sense of honor." Humor is defined as "Something that arouses laughter or amusement; a frame of mind."
So even though it might be hard to find things to laugh about if you are experiencing a midlife divorce, you can still have that conscious or subconscious perception that life on the whole is good. You can have an overall attitude that is upbeat and positive.
Of course, your situation is in many ways agonizing and painful and sad and lonely and full of other hard emotions. But underlying it all, we need to have an assurance that laughter and joy will both return. I remember thinking during my divorce journey, "I just want to be able to laugh again … at anything." You will laugh again. Joy will find you again. You can find glimpses of it here and there even today. Cultivate a joyfilled (and lighthearted) frame of mind … a "sense of humor" that will make your day more enjoyable … for you and for those around you.
"Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away."
Isaiah 35:10B (NIV)
