Hope and Humor – Part II

Posted byHanging on to HopePosted inHanging on to HOPE - from Acknowledgement to Action

This blog posting for the month of October continues our discussion of the relationship between Humor and Hope.  As we noted in September’s blog, it’s not an easy connection to make.  And it may be almost impossible if an individual is currently in the midst of experiencing a crisis or adverse situation. 

But, if we are able to begin to “bounce back” from a traumatic event, humor and the ability to laugh once again can help us “bounce forward” toward a new, and perhaps better and brighter future and our efforts would not be in vain!

Please note that Website updates for October have been included on the following “Hanging on to Hope” web pages:

  • Punchlines

        Our cartoon characters, Hope and Harry and Simon and Specs are at it again…creating a few puns to consider as they address the phrases and idioms in the English language that we often use.  This month they’ve added a new friend of theirs…an avid tennis player by the name of Sally:

October’s “Punster of the Month”, John Pollack, author of “The Pun Also Rises”’ can also be found on the Punchlines page.

And a new section entitled “Hope and Humor” has been added to the Punchlines page. This section will feature selections from various sources and individuals who display and exhibit an active sense of humor (at least in this writer’s opinion). This month’s selection comes from the website GENLISH.com (So you think English is easy? – Genlish),  and takes a look at the use and pronunciation of many of our English words.  Here’s a sample from the website:  “English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, nor ham in hamburger; neither apple nor pine in pineapple. English muffins weren’t invented in England or French fries in France. Sweetmeats are candies while sweetbreads, which aren’t sweet, are meat. ….. We take English for granted. But if we explore its paradoxes, we find that quicksand can work slowly, boxing rings are square and a guinea pig is neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.”

www.genlish.com (Copyright © 2021 Genlish).

  • The following pages have also been updated on the website:
  • Keys to Resilience.  This page has been updated and we will be significantly adding to it in the future.
  • Our Book Summaries page now includes brief summaries of Stronger: Develop the Resilience You Need to Succeed by George S. Everly, Jr., PhD., Douglas A. Strouse, PhD., and Dennis K. McCormack, PhD., and Don’t Give Up … Don’t Ever Give Up:  The Inspiration of Jimmy V – One coach, 11 Minutes, and an Uncommon Look at the Game of Lifeby Justin & Robyn Spizman).

The Spizman’s book, in particular, emphasizes the belief that humor and laughter should be an integral part of all of our days. And nothing highlights this more than the following quote from Jim Valvano, the subject of the book:

“To me, there are three things we all should do every day.  We should do this every day of our lives.  Number one is laugh.  You should laugh every day.  Number two is think.  You should spend some time in thought.  Number three …you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy.  But think about it.  If you laugh, you think, you cry, that’s a full day.”

  • Jim Valvano – March 4, 1993 – From his acceptance speech at the annual ESPY Awards honoring him with the Arthur Ashe Courage and Humanitarian Award.

We must always remember that Hope is not simply a word or a passive feeling or emotion.  It is active!  Hope or hoping doesn’t always provide the outcome we may have “hoped” for or expected.  But that does not mean that hope has no purpose or meaning in our lives.  Hope Matters!  And “Hanging on to Hope” is not easy.  It requires effort…especially when “hope” appears to vanish.  In future blog postings we will come back to this discussion again and again.

Just as a reminder regarding this concept and Hope in our individual lives:

In any crisis situation, we must first acknowledge the reality of the circumstances we are dealing with and then we must respond. This website conveys the message that Adversity is NOT optional, but if we first acknowledge and understand the situation we are in and then take action, we are in a better position to be able to Hang on to Hope!

With love and respect to each of you as well as an acknowledgement that…

Adversity in life is NOT optional, but our response to it is! Hang on to Hope!

Gregory Charles Reynolds

October, 2021

Published by Hanging on to Hope

Gregory Charles Reynolds has been on a spiritual quest for most of his life. As a student at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota, he studied religion, philosophy, and art. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hamline in 1971 and has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Minnesota. After a rewarding 32-year career working in the Finance and Education and Training organizations within 3M Company, he retired in 2007. In 2016, he came out of retirement to work for a non-profit organization and subsequently "retired" a second time in 2020. Gregory is no stranger to adversity and the struggle we each face to not only survive, but attempt to thrive under adverse conditions and circumstances. Recovering from a heart attack in 2008, he found renewed strength, support and belief in the power of an awesome God. He could not have done this alone, and is extremely grateful to family members and friends who guided him through a difficult time. Having witnessed the effects of illnesses and diseases like cancer on close friends and family members, he is constantly reminded that adversity impacts not only the patient or victim, but also those who care about the health and wellbeing of others. Believing that adversity in all our lives is not optional, Greg has continued his quest to find meaning and purpose in life and has established this website and blog to create hope in the future for all of us.

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