Can You Live Without Humor: Humor by Definition, Please

Whether or not you and I can live without humor, depends to a large degree on what we mean when we use the word humor. There are most certainly some kinds of humor that we can live without, but those can only be uncovered by definition.

There are at least four distinct definitions of humor that come to mind.

First, there is bad humor that can be defined as being out of sorts. We can certainly do without that. No one really appreciates anyone who is out of sorts, or is simply having a bad day. No one even wants to be around a person like that. It is anything but fun.

In the same light, there can be humor that has the appearance of a sudden inclination or whim, but one that is essentially unpredictable and non-reasoning in its nature. This can take on a positive direction which one might be willing to live with, but put it into a negative context and most people would probably rather live without it.

In a different context, there is that kind of humor which refers to normal fluids, like blood and lymph that are found in the human body. If those are missing, more than likely you and I could not live without them. (If this refers to those that are found in plants and animals, those we might be able to live without.) It should be noted though that the actual proportion of body fluids, determined in a ratio of one to another, can affect a person's health or temperament. The balance of body fluids is extremely important in terms of one's state of mind.

From yet another perspective, there is that humor that appeals to people everywhere. This is most likely the kind of humor, that the person who asked this question was referring to initially. This kind of humor is more inclined to be something that is comical or amusing. Somehow and for some odd reason, this kind of humor appeals to the human mind. It has to do with that which is ludicrous or incongruous and the expression thereof. This kind of humor, most of us do like to have in our lives, at least some of the time. Could you and I live without that? We will all probably confess that life is actually a lot more fun, when this kind of humor is a part of our day to day lives. It is important to many people.

These four basic kinds of humor are ones that we need to consider, when asking ourselves the question of whether, or not you or I can live without humor.

There are a couple of important things to remember about humor.

Humor, it’s a gas.

Humor is in our lives, whether we feel we need it or not. It is always there, even though it may not be perceived at times by everyone. In actual fact, whether we like it or not, we cannot get rid of humor, even if we wanted to and most of us do not want to get rid of it anyhow, simply because it is fun. Life should be fun.

Humor leads to laughter and who is it that said, laughter is the best medicine? One might ask if we really need to take a dose of good medicine every day, especially if we are already healthy. It is a well known fact that we have a healthy attitude towards life when we maintain a good sense of humor. Realistically, one does not have a healthy attitude to life, if one does not appreciate good humor.

Let's be honest though, as there is still humor that is not good humor. No one needs or wants bad humor in their lives. What may appear to be good humor to one person or to a group of people, may not be considered  good humor to others. Sometimes, it is simply in bad taste. When people are hurting or suffering, humor can either help or hurt. It is simply a matter of perception and we each perceive differently. Thank God for that. It is always a good idea to use humor wisely. You and I, as well as other people, may need it, want it and like it, but not everyone does, at least not all of the time.

Remember that humor is in our world to stay. It is alive and well. The real question is whether or not we are able to perceive it, or to enjoy it fully when we do see it. If we are not enjoying good humor, we might need to ask ourselves why.

Sarah laughed. God must have had a good sense of humor. We have the ability to share that same sense of humor. It is a free gift that has been given to us. Enjoy it fully! I know that I do, but humor by definition only, please.