Laughter Therapy - Recieving Laughter
“Humor is the instinct for taking pain playfully.” Max Eastman
My mother humorist Tulara Lee, recently spoke with me to two different audiences about laughter and longevity. This presentation is part of my “Take Two Laughs and Call me in the morning – Laughter is a Wellness Program Everyone Can Afford.” These two presentations were important because this was the first time she has spoken in front of an audience since having a Lobechtomy for Lung Cancer. I believe this is part of the healing process, mom has been a comedian and humorist for more than 60 years, and receiving laughter from the audience is something that has been a part of her life. To be able to hear the laughter again was therapeutic. Afterward she was tired, but exhilarated. She felt like the healing process was now complete. There is something about making people laugh that is cathartic. I know the first time I spoke after mom’s surgery I too experienced a very positive feeling.
Mom started out very strong. Right away she started getting laughs and this put her at ease. I know she was a little nervous about the first two presentations. She was worried about tiring two soon. When you put everything into a presentation delivery, gestures, it can wear you out especially if you haven’t been performing for awhile. I was nervous for her. She was worried that she would run out of breath. She has been little short of breath since the operation. In the middle of the presentation her mouth got a little dry and she started to cough. I was worried that she wouldn’t be able to stop coughing, but she took a sip of water and was able to continue without missing a step. I was also concerned about her losing her concentration after coughing, but it didn’t faze her and she continued where she left off.
The reaction from the audience was so good for her. She received a standing ovation. I once had a conversation with a fellow speaker about being received by the audience and I told her, “you know how well your presentation went by how long it took you to leave the room.” The more people coming up to you to tell you that you were good is a good sign. Sometimes when you speak and no one talks to you afterward you feel that they may not have connected with you. Both nights it took mom a very long time before we could leave the room. People kept coming up to her and telling her how good she was and how much of an inspiration she is. This also is therapeutic when people complement you that is great, but when they tell you how much of an inspiration you are to them that is just the ultimate feeling. If the adreline from speaking wasn’t enough the comments afterward were just what she needed.
For someone who isn’t used to speaking hearing laughter for the first time when giving a humorous presentation can start to put the novice speaker at ease, but for the old pro it gives them a sense of self worth.