Article:
The Power of Comedy and Courage
by Roslyn Franken
As a
cancer survivor who has also overcome my own struggles with food, excess weight and poor
lifestyle management, I have learned the absolute power of humour, laughter, courage and
grace when it comes to maintaining a healthy body, balanced lifestyle and positive life
outlook.
 I was
recently reminded of this while speaking at the Health & Safety 2009
IAPA Conference & Trade Show in Toronto where I got
to meet Rick Mercer, one of Canada’s
brightest and most successful comedians who was one of the Keynote presenters. To my
delight, only a few days later, while speaking at the Canadian Cancer Society
Living with Cancer Conference in Regina, I had the
privilege of meeting another of Canada’s top
comedic minds, Irwin Barker, who just happens to be one of the writers for Rick Mercer's
hit television show, The Rick Mercer Report.
I took
this seemingly coincidence as some sort of sign that I should be perhaps reflecting on
these experiences and sharing them with others. What came to me as a result of meeting
both these extraordinarily
funny, courageous and inspiring people is that there is truth in what I
believe to be the absolute power of humour, laughter, courage and grace when it comes to
living a healthy and positive life.
I marveled
at how Rick had the entire room doubled over in laughter, including myself, as he shared
stories from his CBC television career cleverly interspersed with clips from his well
known “Talking with Americans” interviews and his newest hit show, The Rick
Mercer Report. What a gift it was to have that time with Rick to just let go and enjoy the
power of a good old endless belly laugh, the kind that leaves you with tears in your eyes.
It was not
just his humour that impressed me, but also the sheer courage and determination that was
the driving force to get him to where he is today in his career. I was also lucky enough
to have a few minutes one-on-one with Rick where he graciously took his time to answer a
few professional questions I had regarding the speaking industry. Not only did he present
himself as a great comedian and presenter, but also as a man of courage, determination and
grace.
 My meeting
with Irwin Barker was especially meaningful as I got to spend a considerable amount of
time with him. I learned that he suffers from a rare form of terminal cancer called
leiomyosarcoma. Here is a man fighting for his life with no idea how much time he has left
on this planet, yet he has the courage and grace to stand on stage and deliver his comedy
routine as if there is nothing the matter. His comedy is his gift enabling him to do what
he loves most, bringing laughter and joy to others. His message is that the cancer may be
getting his body, but that the cancer can’t get his soul. This is so powerful for
anyone living with cancer or any other physical illness for that matter. If you can laugh
despite your cancer or other physical challenges or simply
in the face of the pressures of daily life in our fast-paced, ever-changing world,
then you certainly have a leg up on living a more joyful life. Irwin is currently writing
a book on a comedian’s reflections on dealing with terminal cancer. He says it’s
perfect for him because he works best under deadlines.
Here are
some things to consider about how laughter truly can help you maintain a healthy body,
balanced lifestyle and positive life outlook.
Laughter
is a great means to reduce the level of stress hormones because:
- It increases
the levels of health-boosting hormones like endorphins, the number of cells that produce
antibodies and the effectiveness of T cells all of which are important to a healthy immune
system as well as fewer physical effects of stress.
- A good
hearty belly laugh provides a physical and emotional release plus a physical workout that
leaves you feeling more calm and relaxed afterward. Imagine deriving comfort from laughter
which is calorie-free? If anything you’re burning calories when you laugh. You feel
better and can shed excess weight at the same time for a healthier body and happier heart.
- It takes
your mind off the negative thoughts and feelings that are at the root of your stress to
give you a mental and emotional break.
- Finding
humour in your difficulties and being able to laugh at yourself can help you take the edge
off the physical effects of stress and gain a more positive perspective on your situation.
How to get
some more laughter in your life:
Next time
you’re looking to get together with your friends, suggest going to a comedy club or a
funny movie. Surround yourself with positive people who like to laugh as much as possible.
Remember that laughter is contagious so get the laughter ball rolling and keep it going.
Sometimes you’ll even forget what you’re actually laughing at and won’t be
able to stop. That is he best case scenario.
Remember
that no matter how bad things seem in the moment, you can find a way to get through it.
Just think back to what you’ve already come through in your life and what worked well
for you then to tap into your courage and grace. Try and always find the humour in life,
stop taking yourself and others too seriously and let yourself have a good chuckle.
Roslyn
Franken is an International Speaker, Author, Counselor and Radio Host committed to helping
people make positive changes for lasting results to how they look, feel and enjoy their
lives. She is the author of The A List: 9 Guiding Principles for Healthy Eating and Positive
Living, host of the How to Thrive after 35 radio show and co-author of Death Can Wait: Stories from Cancer
Survivors. For more information, visit www.roslynfranken.com.
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You may use this article, but only if you clearly include this
complete statement with it:
Roslyn
Franken is author of The A List: 9 Guiding
Principles for Healthy Eating and Positive Living. She is a Weight Loss Coach and
Motivational Speaker on positive living solutions for positive results for greater health,
success and quality of life. She hosts How to
Thrive After 35 Internet Talk Radio and is co-author of Death Can Wait: Stories from Cancer Survivors.
Diagnosed
with cancer at age 29, Franken fought back to become a long-term cancer survivor. Then at
age 39, at her heaviest weight ever, and concerned for her health, she decided to fight
back once again, only this time to overcome her battles with food and weight once and for
all.
Roslyn
owns Roslyn Franken Group, committed to helping people lighten up their lives one bite at
a time by reaching and maintaining a healthy weight, balanced lifestyle, and positive
outlook.
For
more information, visit www.roslynfranken.com
or view her video at http://www.roslynfranken.com/highlights.wmv
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