You may think, just based on the uncertainty of today’s world, that there is nothing to laugh about.
    That’s how I’ve been feeling.
    Yet there is plenty of reasons to do so actually. An expression of humor, whether a giggle, a chortle, a guffaw or a rocking belly laugh, is more than an incredible stress reliever. It may just be the best defense against the distractions and worries that seemingly surround us and those we live and work with.
    As Mark Twain has said: “The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.”
    I’m not suggesting, however, converting into a non-stop joke machine or insensitive one-liner bore; neither is effective or appropriate.
    What I am suggesting is to not take ourselves too seriously, to look to the lighter side of whatever we’re facing, to react first with a chuckle rather than a cry.
    Patrick Munoz, writing “Sense of Humor: Definition, Benefits, and How to Get One Yourself” for WikiHow has a wonderful perspective:
    “Having a sense of humor means you’ve developed the ability to recognize humor and be funny. What’s not often understood is that you don’t have to be funny to have a sense of humor. You just have to learn to see the lighter side of things.”
    So how do we encourage a sense of humor and laughter in our businesses? Here’s a few suggestions taken from VOWS archives that are as pertinent today as then:

• Do something you consider fun every day. When you’re having fun, your own sense of humor naturally expresses itself. • Staff meetings always benefit from a shot of humor. Assign an ongoing task to collect and share examples, such as a cartoon clipping or a joke passed along by a friend.
• Have a weekly funniest customer story contest.
• Recap the laugh. When training, relate humorous in-store incidents that serve as educational tools. Having a sense of humor about the trials and tribulations of working with the difficult bride can provide valuable insights for the entire staff.
• Learn to laugh at yourself. No one is perfect, so if you make a mistake, find a way to poke fun at yourself and move on. Sharing amusing personal stories that relate to a work situation can help everyone’s mood.
    And communicate to your staff that it’s OK for them to laugh about their mistakes too.


    We all need laughter. . . studies have shown that babies laugh on average 400 times per day. Not so much those of us over 35. Our average is only 15.
    So. . . make my day, entice a giggle. Send me a joke or a funny story. . . maybe something that begins with:
    Did you hear about the bride. . .