I used to laugh easily and joke around about most things. In fact, I used humor as a coping mechanism. Then I went to university and got all scholarly and serious. At my last job, I worked with a woman who was a fantastic story teller, and she could tell a serious story in a very funny way. In a way, she taught me how to be more light-hearted again, and I loved working with her for all the fun we had. Maybe a tenth of it was a little crude, but mostly it was just funny stories of her personal experiences. I have not worked with her for a couple of months now, and in my new job I work with people who are very professional and we are all scholars. My personal life got very serious again, too, so I'm really missing my old colleague... maybe time to get together with her for a laugh-in.
I wonder about what people find funny, and if the things we find funny have more to do with our state of mind rather than our age. Social work colleagues who have been in the field too long tend to get jaded and rarely laugh; in fact, life has made many of them very bitter. But for those who do not have such a heavy spirit, I wonder if they find more things funny and laugh easier. I know it is true for me, at least, that when my heart is light, laughter comes much easier.
One thing that can often turn out really funny is auto-correct on texting. I had a good, hearty belly laugh today when I was in conversation with my son. I had $10 in a bill and needed change for the vending machine at the prison tonight, and he wanted me to stop and get him a burger for supper. So I sent him a text "if you go to 7-11 and get me a coffee and $6 loonies, I can stop for a burger for you on the way home from work."
His response was "buy you a coffee and a colony, right" Followed by "not sure any government would sell me one for $8 though."
I said "what>"
He said "$8 in colonies."
Stupid auto-correct. It turned "loonies" into "colonies." LOL. The whole office thought I was nuts, laughing so hard. They could hear me all the way down the hall! Son was right, though. The government would not likely sell me any colonies for $8.
Now most of you are probably thinking that's not funny at all, but I had such a good belly laugh over it - I was in a good mood, but on overload learning a new job, but thankful it was Friday, etc.... context mattered. I laughed and it felt soooo good!