Too often we wronfully assume that having a sense of humor means WE’RE the funny ones! Pfffff. Not even close.

You don’t have to be the one slinging barbs, jokes, and one-liners. Let others do the heavy lifting. You just need to sit back and let them do it. Be the one who gets the joke and laughs at it (if it’s worthy of laughter).

The point is, allow others a little latitude in how they do they work, how they communicate with each other, and how they blow off steam. Extending to people the right to express their humor is a big part of nurturing your own.

Yes, it’s true, I have FIVE sons. No daughters. And, I must admit, each of them is riotously funny in their own unique way. Christian (16) has an eclectic, Woody Allen wit about him. Joshua (14) chooses obnoxious wrong place/right time humor, Matt (11) has a more subtle, less physical humor. Scott (9) has razor sharp sarcasm down pat.  And John (6), well, he…just does whatever it takes to get someone smiling or laughing.

But most of the time, they just ENJOY life. A brother in law of mine has forever commented–I think he has said it every single time he’s seen us since we started having children–that our boys are always smiling. They just seem to be always happy.

Of course, that’s not exactly true, but there is a connection between smiling and at least “seeming” happy. The challenge is to find joy in the journey, even when life throws you crudballs.  And remember, you don’t have to tell jokes or sling puns to make mirth. Levity means lightening up. We can all do that.

Here’s a quick example of six-year-old John enjoying the journey. (Remember, he’s a little boy just having fun, who doesn’t even know I’m taping him.  He wouldn’t get two seconds past Simon Cowell.) Click on the link below and enjoy!

Little John Screeches \”New York, New York\”