Defining Humor, Promoting Humility

Dorothy Parker wrote, “I thought, on starting this composition . . . that I should define what humor means to me. However, every time I tried to, I had to go and lie down with a cold wet cloth on my head.”

Defining humor can be difficult. For me, humor is about attitude, about our take on life. It is much more about being lighthearted than it is about being glib with jokes. It is about seeing and enjoying the incongruities in life.

The words “humor” and “humility” have the same root—the ancient Indo-European ghom, best translated as the English “humus,” which means “of the earth.” No wonder I like earthy humor. The last chapter explores the relationship between humor and humility and being human. In fact, after I had compiled a list of over 110 ideas for giving and receiving humor, I realized that the key to humor is humility. The 111th idea is to pray for humility.

Humor is a word of many meanings, some very personal. What does it mean to you? Identify the words you associate with humor. Ask others what it means to them. It makes for a great conversation. Notice if it turns into a joke-telling session.
As human beings, we are meaning-makers. What would happen if we consciously chose to look for humorous meanings to interpret the events in life? Sometimes the funny interpretations just happen; many times they don’t. Look for the comedy within the dramas of your life, especially when being “deadly serious.” Consider the difference between deadly seriousness and lively lightness.
Humor may always remain somewhat of a mystery. The more I delve into its meaning, the more wonderfully mysterious it is.