(photo from: https://knowyourmeme.com/photos/1094858-problematic-fave-laughing-chris-evans)

LAUGHTER IS THE BEST MEDICINE

A famous dictum says, "Laughter is the best medicine." I do not think this applies to all sickness. I have tried it with my migraine; it did not work. It made the pain worse. Instead of physical sickness, I think the dictum applies to the sickness we experience of reality, or of existence.

   In studying Philosophy, we have come to know that reality is so vast and rich-- it is a mystery. Philosophers have also dabbled with the mystery of our existence. Until now, there is no one answer to the question/s on existence. As we face these mysteries, we are overwhelmed by our lack of understanding and of answers to the big questions. This lack give anxiety, despair, or even depression. To address this, I turn to Zhuang Zhi's cynico-practical laughter.

   As one reads the peculiar story of Zhuang Zhi, one finds him, who, after his wife passed, was drumming to an inverted bowl. Reading this, we could surmise a unique attitude towards life. It is not a passive nor an active acceptance, nor it is a joyous one. It is the kind of acceptance to life which transcends the boundaries of joy and sorrow. It is a comical acceptance to the arbitrariness we feel about existence, and to whatever reality throws at us.

   We might get sick of our day-to-day living with all the tribulations and uncertainties we face. As we continue our journey in reality, let us not forget to bring the best medicine for our travel: LAUGHTER.