The Humor Balm!
In Egypt, a common adage that is often heard and is mainly used to lighten up people's moods (yours truly included;) winking) is: اضحك تضحك لك الدنيا which literally means "Laugh, and the world will laugh with you". The adage has a continuation which goes: ابك تبكي وحدك which translates to "Weep, and you will weep alone". In this note, however, as implied by my above chosen title, I will only address the former part of the adage.
In all cultures and all known civilizations, satirists and humorists were, and remain, an integral part of the societies that they emanate from. In fact, beyond the scope of a single nation or culture, thanks to all forms of media, the cross-fertilization of humor amongst different nations with different cultures has been growing rapidly. In my humble opinion, when humor transcends cultures and nations (with their varied customs and beliefs), it is a powerful vehicle for diminishing the barriers that are typically erected by humans by virtue of historic baggage and exaggerated prejudices.
The power of humor may be exemplified in these quotes:
"If I had no sense of humor, I would long ago have committed suicide". Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869-1948)
"Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is". Francis Bacon (156-1626)
"Humor is emotional chaos remembered in tranquility". James Thurber (1894-1961)
I say: Humor is the magic balm that heals emotional wounds, whether they are self-inflicted or inflicted by others.
Hani Badawi
January 19, 2012
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