The Best Medicine

I took last week off, because I was in Chicago on spring break. It was just what I needed: a trip filled with friends, adventures, and above all else: laughter. Laughing is my second favorite activity. (It is narrowly beat by talking). Laughter is a miracle cure for life. Stress, anger and even exhaustion can disappear with a chuckle.


The bus ride to the Windy City took about nine hours. We had tickets to a comedy troupe called Second City at 8:30 that night. As we approached our destination, we realized there wouldn't be enough time to stop at the hotel and make the show. Second City kindly accommodated us by offering to stow our luggage until the show was over, but that meant navigating public transportation, in a new city, while lugging suitcases. By the time we arrived, nobody wanted to laugh. As we sat in the audience, I was afraid that this night would turn out to be a bust.

The show was hilarious. The improv was snappy and the jokes current and clever. Laughter caused the travel fatigue to melt away and ten happy Nebraskans made their way to the hotel. The same thing happened today when my class was discussing the charged issue of stereotypes. In the middle of class, the professor decided to show a clip from "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." After the clip, the class was at ease, and the conversation was better for it.

I don't claim to be a funny person, but I always love to laugh. Tickling somebody else’s funny bone ignites my own chuckles, so I take every opportunity to make people laugh. To spark conversation or cheer up a stranger, a funny anecdote is the key ingredient. Before attempting to tackle tough issues in agriculture, or any other discussion with friends or neighbors, have a laugh first. No body can be mad and giggle at the same time. A secret my little brother knows all too well.

'till the cows come home,

Ellie