Learn from The Hyenas

Laughter releases endorphins; stress-reducing and relaxing chemicals resulting in a sense of well-being. Our laughter triggers the release of these super neuro-transmitters that can alleviate pain and depression. We have a sense of euphoria and are far less anxious. Our immune systems are strengthened and we can pass any drug test.

Just as yoga and meditation focus on our breathing, the physical production of laughter through muscular effort seems to be key in this positive activity. Our deliberate manipulation of positive energy for our own good and subsequently others is successful. Laughter, is, in fact, often contagious. Even if you do not understand the language spoken or if you do not completely hear the punch line, when others start laughing, you are physically and mentally compelled to jump in.

Groucho lines:
A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five.

I've had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn't it.

I sent the club a wire stating: Please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that will accept  me as a member. 

One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.

Dorothy Parker lines:
This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force. 

That would be a good thing for them to cut on my tombstone; Wherever she went, including here, it was against her better judgment.

I don't care what anybody says about me as long as it isn't true.


Abbott and Costello's Who's On First , Bob Newhart's new security guard at The Empire State Building seeing King Kong outside, Ellen Degeneres' phone call with God, Lily Tomlin as Ernestine the phone operator or Edith Ann the child, Flip Wilson as Geraldine or George Carlin's seven dirty words will prompt those endorphins right out. SNL 's Church lady, Coneheads, Land shark, Mr. Bill, Weekend update, Roseanne Roseannadanna, Gumby, Father Guido Sarducci, Stefon, Spartan Spirit Cheerleaders, Debbie Downer and The Target Lady are just a few characters and sketches to initiate your hysteria.

Things that evoke laughter differ from individual to individual. The very thought of Groucho Marx, Robin Williams, Wanda Sykes, Whoopi Goldberg, Jim Gaffigan, Kathleen Madigan, Ellen DeGeneres, Bob Hope, Jack Benny, George Burns, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey,Bob Newhart, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Akroyd, Mel Brooks, Jimmy Fallon, Johnny Carson, David Letterman, Joan Rivers, Jane Curtin, Larraine Newman, Garrett Morris, Chevy Chase, Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Richard Pryor, Gene Wilder, Foster Brooks,George Carlin,  Carol Burnett, Tim Conway, Harvey Korman, Brother Dave Gardner, Betty White, Vicki Lawrence,Steve Martin, Jon Stewart, Martin Short, Sarah Silverman, Chelsea Handler,  John Candy, Susie Essman, Billy Crystal, Moms Mabley, Cheech and Chong, Lily Tomlin, Minnie Pearl, Rita Rudner, Flip Wilson, David Spade, Henny Youngman, Rodney Dangerfield, Phyllis Diller , Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, Jonathon Winters, Adam Sandler, Louis C.K.,Ricky Gervais, Steve Carell or Pee Wee Herman may make you laugh out loud. The writings of Neil Simon, Larry David, Mike Nichols and Elaine May, Carl Reiner or Lena Dunham may make you chuckle. Whatever it is or whomever it is--seek them out.

Have a Christopher Guest film festival. This Is Spinal Tap, Best In Show, Waiting For Guffman, A Mighty Wind... Or a John Cleese festival : A Fish Called Wanda, and The Monty Python series of films. Watch some old Eddie Murphy or Goldie Hawn films. Search any best comedy lists and you will find: Some Like It Hot, Tootsie, The Big Lebowski, Caddyshack, Animal House, Ghostbusters, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, City Slickers, My Cousin Vinny, Arthur, Airplane, Duck Soup, Young Frankenstein, The Birdcage, MASH, Adam's Rib, Bringing Up Baby, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, The Odd Couple, Plaza Suite, Foul Play, The Money Pit, Private Benjamin, Stir Crazy, Vacation, Best In Show, The Princess Bride, Mrs. Doubtfire, Jumping Jack Flash, My Big Fat Greek Wedding and countless more. Stay inside and enjoy the air conditioning and develop your own list and most importantly, laugh.

Uncle Remus wrote about our "laughing place". It was such an enviable paradise that Brer Rabbit used its existence to lure Brer Fox and Brer Bear down a path that led to his escape. Uncle Albert sang about his love of laughter in Mary Poppins. He laughs so hard and with such gusto, that he is elevated to the ceiling.

I love to laugh
Loud and long and clear
I love to laugh
It's getting worse every year

The more I laugh, the more I fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more I'm a merrier me, it's embarrassing
The more I'm a merrier me

Some people laugh through their noses
Sounding something like this, dreadful
Some people laugh through their teeth goodness sake
Hissing and fizzing like snakes
Not at all attractive to my way of thinking

Some laugh too fast
Some only blast
Others, they twitter like birds
You know you're as bad as he is

Then there's the kind
What can't make up their mind

When things strike me as funny
I can't hide it inside
And squeak as the squeakelers do
I've got to let go with a ho ho ho
And a ha ha ha too

We love to laugh
Loud and long and clear
We love to laugh
So everybody can hear

The more you laugh
The more you fill with glee
And the more the glee
The more we're a merrier we
*

Breathe in. Breathe out. Laugh out loud. Laugh with such enthusiasm that you may become airborne. If you enjoy physical comedy like spit-takes, pratfalls, clowns, pies in the face or exploding cannisters then search for those types of comedy.  Laugh like no one is watching. Laugh like you do not care. If its good enough for the hyenas, its good enough for us.





* I Love To Laugh lyrics by Richard Sherman and Robert Sherman, Disney