Grandma Shirley would be Proud - episode 112
Where do I begin with today’s Believe guest, Hillary Henninger? I got to know her through children’s theater which is a running theme on the show because I met so many great people during my 15 years there. People like her. During our conversation, Hillary shared her Grandma Shirley is a great source of inspiration through her example of faith, of insisting upon seeing the good in others, and why Steel Magnolias is one of her favorite movies. It’s a well-thought out reason with lots of layers.
Don’t you love that she and her husband Greg got into Legos during the pandemic? Or that they put a jumpy in their garage instead of a car to help their boys get the wiggles out? This shows her playful, creative, innovative side which is usually at the ready. Hillary had insightful nuggets to drop like every day we can change our course. We can do it in our relationships, in our perspective at how we look at things, and in our responsibility for the part we play in our interactions. We can do something about that if we want to. Oh, and if you’re struggling in any way be sure to lean on your people and ask for help. If they are your people they want to be there for you. Because you want to do the same for them.
Social. Funny.
Hungry.
— Hillary Henninger
I Love to Laugh
Thoughts from Grandma Shirley Would be Proud
I’ve written some deep, heavy, vulnerable thoughts on these pages. Today I am reminded of another side of me, which is the whimsical one. I have enjoyed many laughs with Hillary and I seem to be drawn to people who not only have a thoughtful, serious side but also a lighter, amusing one. I’ve written a bit about this and feel like revisiting here.
What makes me laugh? Good question. Here’s a partial recap from a previous blog, episode 71 courtesy of Google and HuffPost.
Physical or slapstick - as the name suggests, this humor involves physicality. I never thought the banana peel bit was funny but there are others that are. America’s Funniest Home Videos anyone? As long as the involved isn’t permanently injured then yes, can definitely be funny.
Self-deprecating - making fun of yourself. Sure, why not? I’ve not written a stand-up routine or anything but am not above finding humor close to home.
Surreal - silly, absurd, nonsensical. Think Monty Python. Depends on the sketch but for me MP and the Holy Grail has some great moments: invisible horses, clunking coconuts together to mimic the sound of said horses, the knights who say “Ni,” and counting to three.
Improvisational - no script, made up usually with a loose structure depending on the game. There are guidelines, like “Yes and…” Done well with talented individuals can be quite entertaining.
Wit/Wordplay - play on words, puns. Typically not what I find funny but there are exceptions to every rule.
Topical - based on current events. Think Saturday Night Live Weekend Update. Sometimes it really works. Depends.
Observational - poking fun at every day life. Seinfeld anyone? A very funny, show about nothing. (Their words.) LOVE the show. Have rewatched and rewatched. Never gets old.
Bodily - having to do with bodily functions, so, self-explanatory. Google says it is popular with men and teenagers. You are going to need to add me to this list. Not every bodily function but there are a couple that can get me going.
Dark - depressing underlying themes with some comedy thrown in. Examples given: Arrested Development (yes please), South Park (no thank you), Burn After Reading (loved it), The Lobster (barely got through it). You get the idea. A mixed bag for many.
Whatever makes you laugh get some more of that. (It’s better if it’s not at the expense of someone else’s heart. Light ribbing is ok, cruelty is not.) Why are we wired to laugh? Or maybe a better question is what happens when we laugh? Good news! It is healthy to laugh and has all kinds of benefits. According to the Mayo Clinic:
Short term - stimulates many organs, activates and relieves your stress response, soothes tension.
Long term - improves your immune system, relieves pain, increases personal satisfaction, improves your mood.
And here’s a nod to #3. In my past job I helped to bring performing arts to schools around our county. A very creative, fulfilling gig. One of the things I thought would be fun was to bring improv to the students in an assembly format. It was very popular at the time so we did exactly that. These four made up the team: Hillary, now husband Greg, Shaun and Andrew. I was the MC of sorts. It was ridiculously entertaining to watch them all in action! And we laughed, oh yes, we laughed. So did the kids which was the best part. I can barely believe I got paid to create and coordinate it all.
The bottom line is we are hardwired to find humor. Considered an important emotion, it can get us through hard times, help us communicate, and bring us pleasure. It’s even instinctual. Infants laugh so it is not a learned behavior. Contagious, the purpose of laughter may be to trigger responses in other people. So let’s get our giggles, chuckles and snickers in. Every day. It will make a difference!
In improvisation, there are no mistakes.
— Miles Davis
Shaun, Greg, Hillary and Andrew, the Dream Improv Team
