Posts Tagged ‘senior laughter’
October 19, 2009
About 300 years after Abraham, Confucius and other noteworthy figures appear in bustling China. The Internet seems to show no authentic jokes of that era, and motivated by weariness with the Confucius Say jokes beginning in the 1940s, I opted for a few more serious but still clever sayings of about 500 B. C. and perhaps later.
While I found no genuine humor but, I did find aphorisms, though ancient in origin, yet up-to-date in application.
“Choose the job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” is often quoted today, and should be remembered by anyone looking for a job or career. This advice is timeless and is fresh for each new generation.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” could be of European origin and not from the China of 3800 years ago. A similar American saying is “The first step is half the journey.” Many, including yours truly, like to put off that first step which, of course, means that there is no journey.
The contemporary Confucian sayings aren’t meant to teach but rather to amuse often in a way not printable in a family blog. Here is one eminently printable that may warm up a tepid sales force: “Salesperson who covers chair instead of territory always remains on bottom.”
Tags:humor, jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, senior humor, senior laughter
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October 19, 2009
We often say that something is as old as the hills. That does not include humor which coincides with the arrival of humans who alone are capable of laughter. In a poetic sense the hills may sing, but they don’t laugh
Although there may be earlier written accounts, the Bible recorded laughter in the book of Genesis 3800 years ago. In Chapter 17 Abraham “fell down and laughed” when a visitor told this centenarian that his nonagenarian wife Sarah would produce a male heir and thus create a great nation.
In Chapter 18 we read that Sarah laughed to herself when from the back of the tent she overheard the conversation of another visitor who confirmed the previous promise to Abraham. The Middle Eastern cultures of that day, and to some extent today, prohibited a wife from casual contact with a man other that husband or brother.
Finally, in Chapter 21 the promised heir, Isaac, is born and Sarah remarks, “God has brought me laughter.” Was there something funny about the new baby? No. Isaac means laughter, and Sarah commemorates her earlier reaction.
The Bible is not about humor or laughter even though the book of Ecclesiastes mentions that life provides a time to weep and to laugh. Rather, the Bible prefers to emphasize joy.
Tags:aging gracefully, humor, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, senior laughter
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October 19, 2009
Indeed, humor can be hard to handle. Many years ago in Toastmasters I gave a humorous speech that was merely a series of jokes with few connecting comments. To point out my error the evaluator mentioned a speaker who used jokes carrying numbers known to the audience. His punch line was all that the speaker really had to do was cite the number of the familiar joke and his audience was sure to laugh. Words were unnecessary.
A few years ago a humorist compiled a book of many jokes aligned to tell a logical story with a beginning, middle and end. It was a monumental work cleverly done, but it fell flat. It lacked soul.
Sometimes it is possible to use jokes in the public domain and alter them to make them appear as an integral part of the talk A simple example: “A man said to a friend—–.” The speech preparer could say “This morning my neighbor told me——–.” This will personalize the story and make it seem more original.
An absolute “no no” is opening a speech with a joke or a wry comment that has no relation to the speech, speaker, or listeners. Such a speaker believes that he has to have a joke for the sake of the joke in spite of its irrelevance.
As we can see from these awkward comments, humor takes work for the vast majority. Only a favored few find it spontaneous.
Tags:jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, senior humor, senior laughter
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October 8, 2009
A blog is a personal document that enables the writer to give any opinion he deems suitable. I originally intended a web site which would usually formally advertises a product or service, but there seems no reason why a blog cannot serve the same purpose. Of course, there is always the danger that the reader will quickly recognize the barely veiled purpose and will exercise the inalienable right to delete.
After many years in business, public speaking and experiencing the vicissitudes of the three stages of life. I have prepared two speeches for senior citizens. One, “Polishing the Gold of the Senior Years” shown on another part of this blog, and the other, “Golden Age Glee.” Information on these, plus others on non-related topics, are printed in a brochure available on request which can be made on this blog under “Contact”.
Is there a charge? Yes, if there is a budget. Otherwise, the presentation is pro bono publico.
I would like to hear from you if you are interested in making comments, suggestions or criticisms for which, of course, there is no charge.
Tags:aging gracefully, humor, joyful aging, Life Enrichment, senior humor, senior laughter, Senior Life Enrichment
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October 8, 2009
Nothing characterizes the senior years like the failure to make the brain respond when desired.
Short term memory problems begin in the middle years, and as the decades go by people increasingly admit “I can’t remember.” A host of humorous stories accompany this embarrassment.
Three senior ladies were discussing the torments of growing older. One said, “Sometimes when I’m in front of the refrigerator with a jar of mayonnaise in my hand I just can’t remember if I need to put it away or if I want to make a sandwich.”
The second lady added, “Yes, sometimes I’m on the landing of the stairs and I don’t remember whether I was on my way up or on my way down.”
The third one responded, “Well, I don’t have that problem, but I’m going to knock on wood.” While rapping her knuckles on the table she told her friends, “That must be the door. I’ll get it.”
Seniors have a couple of simple techniques to deal with forgetfulness:
- Write down what you want to remember. Admittedly everyone knows this.
- If you are away from home but still near a telephone (like a cell), call your home number and leave a message on the recorder. It will be there for you when you return.
Tags:joyful aging, laughter, Life Enrichment, senior humor, senior laughter, Senior Life Enrichment
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October 8, 2009
Seniors have managed to fashion a social life that is less hectic than the younger version, but still provides necessary human contact.
A lady of 85 was a house guest of her daughter. Soon the man next door, age 90, called to ask her for a date. Perplexed, the senior lady asked her daughter who verified the good character of the neighboring senior.
They went out, and on their return the mother was very upset. When asked the reason the mother said, “I had to slap his face three times.” “Did he get fresh?” asked the daughter. “No, I thought he had died,” the 85 year old mother replied.
In a nursing home an elderly man in order to appear younger always dressed in a suit and tie. One day he was discussing his age in general terms with a lady resident, and she claimed she could guess it exactly. They made a bet. She asked him to turn his back and then to pull down his trousers and drawers.. She then asked him to turn around and to face her. After a minute she exclaimed, “You’re 84.” He asked her how she could guess so accurately, and she replied, “You told me yesterday.”
Observation: Senior men with failing memory are helpless around predatory senior woman.
Tags:aging gracefully, humor, jokes, joyful aging, laugh for health, laughter, senior humor, senior laughter, Senior Life Enrichment
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September 28, 2009
In the first decade of the 21st Century an even more fertile source of laugher are the attachments emails sent by relatives and friends. I probably never had such vigorous and sustained glee in the decades before the invention of the diverting attachments. At times it seems that some of them, at least, converted me from a gloomy Gus of unrelieved solemnity to an occasional patron of mirth.
I usually print the likely jokes on 8-1/2 paper and place them in the appropriate file for future reference, or, if they if they fit on 3 x 5 cards, cut them out and paste. Sometimes it is necessary to fold part of the joke on the other side of the card, or perhaps merely cut it in two and paste one-half on the other side of the card.
My computer skills are not sufficient to enlarge or decrease the text size in order to make it fit the card either on one side or two. It may be, however, that the printer is equally lacking in this skill.
Tags:humor, jokes, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, senior humor, senior laughter, Senior Life Enrichment
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February 18, 2009
“When you are starting a new career and you’re over 60, you ‘d better blow your own horn.”
Thus spoke Mary Sue Koontz Nelson December 7, 2002 a the the meeting of the North Texas National Speakers Association in Dallas. On display was a natural entertainer reminiscent of the great Phyllis Diller. She gave a hilarious and captivating account of the life she and her husband(s) led in the cattle and oil business in South Texas.
This blog has more modest objectives. Considerably past 60, it am blowing my horn hoping that its dulcet tones will attract readers interested in securing a program resource for senior citizens. I have two presentations of about 30 minutes each designed to encourage seniors to make maximum use of the opportunities and benefits that surround them.
I started the speaking career in November, 1998, even then somewhat past 60, with the Golden Age Glow presentation to residents of Chambrel Club Hill in Garland, TX. Since then, I’ve made presentations to similar residences as well as to meetings of AARP, churches, and city senior centers.
One of the two is “Polishing the Gold of the Senior Years” or “Golden Age Glow” for short. It implies that their sense of humor has helped seniors reach their golden years. It takes a wry look at the vicissitudes of mature life. After giving humorous attention to seniors’ major nuisisances, it suggests attitudes and activities that can contribute to both their physical and emotional health. A
popular candy can help them remember these aids to their well-being.
The other is “Golden Age Glee” which affirms that laughter is the lubricant of life. As it reduces everyday frictions, it brings both emotional and physical benefits. Using humor, this speech takes
up a few of the common physical vexations of senior citizens; it describes the benefits of frequent laughter, and it encourages seniors to use simple techniques to promote laughter.
I invite anyone interested to call or write for more information or for just a general discussion of the importance of these topics for survivors of youth and middle age.
Tags:El arte de vender con éxito, El envejecer con garbo, El humorismo, La alegría de la tercera edad, La mente.El músculo, La mezcla (asociarse con gente), La tercera edad, laugh for health, laughter, Nunca lució o pareció mejor, senior laughter, Virgil y el humorismo
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February 12, 2009
Part III
I went to see a doctor recently and told him “I have a pain in this leg.” He looked at me for a few seconds and said “Virgil, you have to realize that you are getting a little bit old.” ” But doctor,” I replied “the other leg is the same age, and it doesn’t bother me at all.”
Still not feeling well I went to another physician who apparently was quite perceptive. After listening to the dreary recital of my ailments, he said “You are going to have to realize that I can’t make you young again.” “But, doctor,” I replied “I don’t want to be young again. I just want to keep on getting older.”
Another doctor wanted to be supportive. After listening to my tale of woe, he tried to encourage me by saying “I’m sure that medicine has made so much progress in the last fifty years.” I retorted ” If that is so, how come I felt so much better fifty years ago?”
I began to realize that it is possible to dwell too much on my aches and pains, and it is good therapy to think about the problems of others once in while. I then decided to visit senior citizens’ centers and to talk with others or at least to exchange symptoms with them.
One afternoon I walked into a center and saw a man standing and staring into space with a morose and downcast expression on his face. Wanting to cheer him up a bit, I approached and said “Here is a card table and a deck of cards. How about a game of gin rummy?” He replied “No, I did it once and didn’t like it.” Although rebuffed, I tried again. “On the wall is a dart board and some darts. I can’t hit the broad side of a barn, but how about a game?” “No,” he said “I did it once and didn’t like it.” I had only one strike left so I said “There is a pool table in the next room Do you want to play a game of eightball?” In a softer tone he replied, “No, but my son is coming soon, and he will be glad to play a game with you.” After staring at him for a couple of seconds, I remarked “Your only son, I presume.”
Tags:El arte de vender con éxito, El envejecer con garbo, El humorismo, humor, joyful aging, La alegría de la tercera edad, La mente.El músculo, La mezcla (asociarse con gente), La tercera edad, Life, Life Enrichment, Los Placeres de la Tercera Edad, Nunca lució o pareció mejor, senior laughter, Virgil y el humorismo
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February 8, 2009
Part VII
The hapless senior caddy in the last paragraph of Part VI should not be downcast. He gets a lot of exercise walking and carrying the bulky bag, and this benefits both body and mind; but, in addition, he should stimulate his brain, not to build gray matter, but to promote cognitive acuity. Recently it was determined that mental acrobatics do not actually build brain tissue.
Several years ago a neurologist recommended three activities for mental stimulation and alertness, i.e., playing the game of bridge, studying and speaking a foreign language, and studying and playing a musical instrument. All require concentration and memorizing. Later, other authorities suggested working crossword puzzles, attending lectures, and reading somewhat complex books. They do not recommend first grade reading books such as “My Dog, Spot” where the young scholar reads “I have a dog. His name is Spot. He is a good dog etc.” Every reader of this blog with childhood memories could finish writing the book in high style.
In making this presentation to senior groups in the past I, along with perhaps everyone else, suggested that the computer can stimulate thought processes, and this recently was confirmed by a published opinion that working with a computer is probably the best way to preserve an active mind. No one has confirmed my opinion that writing whether with paper and pencil, word processing or email is also an excellent way to augment the thought process, but I believe it is.
Seniors interested in preserving both mind and body should remember the old axiom “Use it, or lose it. “Only seniors who maintain an ample schedule of intellectual pursuits have a reasonable chance of warding off or delaying mental and emotional stagnation that often attacks in the later decades.
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Tags:aging gracefully, El humorismo, humor, joyful aging, La alegría de la tercera edad, laugh for health, laughter, Life Enrichment, senior humor, senior laughter, three stages of life, Virgil y el humorismo
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