Humour in Your Community
Lighten Up Week
In 1994, my colleague, Adrienne Sloan, and I shared a similar idea. Our work with people who have anxiety has taught us that it is important to lighten up instead of tighten up. So,in our hometown of Hamilton Ontario, we organized a successful Red Nose Day and Lighten Up Week which has been held annually.
To initiate the week we attended the city council meeting with a bag of red noses and made a case for declaring an official Red Nose Day and Lighten Up Week. We spoke about the benefits of humor and laughter and how the whole city would enjoy the events. The local television station televised the city aldermen wearing red noses as they gave official approval. The mayor’s picture was on the front page of the newspaper wearing a red nose. The publicity certainly promoted the event.
A generous donation allowed us to give red noses to many community groups. Everyone seemed to approve of our effort to bring laughter to workplaces, schools and families. These events are fun raisers instead of fund-raisers. Local radio stations invite us to speak about the week, and our ideas are printed in the local newspapers.
Why not try a Lighten Up Week in your community? Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Approach your local newspaper or local politician to celebrate humor week. In the United States this is the first week of April (it coincides with April Fools day). Offer these tips for activities:
1. Invite friends to watch a humorous video.
2. Set up a board game at work and at home to play during the week.
3. Send a joke to someone you haven’t seen for a while.
4. Give genuine compliments.
5. Thank someone for something (even if it was years ago).
6. Have theme nights with no extra expense. For example, if you serve pasta, listen to opera, light a candle and have an Italian evening. If you serve hot dogs, wear cowboy hats, play country music and call it a Country and Western dinner.
7. Leave up your holiday lights up outside and turn them on during Lighten Up Week to remind everyone to lighten up.
8. Arrange a singsong, karaoke night or potluck dinner. Make an effort to connect with others.
9. Encourage everyone to participate in jigsaws or crossword puzzles and word games at home and work.
10. Perform little acts of acts of kindness such as opening doors for others, sharing your garden produce or treating your colleague to a coffee.
11. Offer to spend time with a child and enjoy a child’s perspective on the world.
12. Have a red nose family dinner as a way to encourage laughter.
13. Gather a few people and do a laughter workout. Steve Wilson, a psychologist in California, started a laughter tour across North America. Communities are gathering together to laugh and relax. (See the Laughter Workout in chapter ten for details.)
As a highlight of the Lighten Up Week, we hold a Humor Conference at a local hospital. We offer a non-profit day of speakers with the goal of spreading laughter and teaching humor skills. The themes have included dealing with change, finding your inner child, and laughter in unfunny places. The event is promoted for anyone who wants a really good laugh. You, too, can hold these conferences in your community. Because the event is non- profit, speakers are often willing to donate their time. A church hall, school basement or hospitals will often gladly provide space.Red Nose Day in Canada is held the first week in February in honor of the mythical Patron Saint of Humor, St. Jacque, whose birthday is celebrated on the 6th of February. Red Nose Day is held on the first weekday that falls nearest to the 6th. The local newspaper helps promote a citywide contest to see which group wears the most red noses on Red Nose Day. The record set in 2000 was an investment business, which gathered 530 people with red noses.
Letter to the Editor Hamilton Spectator
Sharron Orovan,
As we approach the New Year, we reflect on the usual resolutions such as losing weight and exercising, but how about a resolution to positively affect our community?
Simply increase your politeness and concern for others. This involves opening doors, offering a seat on the bus, and giving friendly smiles and greetings. We can all benefit in the ripple effect of kindness.
We will be celebrating "Lighten Up! Hamilton Week" February 4th to the 9th and RED NOSE day will be February 6th. This will be a formal week to connect with others through positive humour. Random acts of kindness are encouraged.
Consider turning on your holiday lights during this week as a reminder to spread good will and fun to others. Each person can make a difference. Your smile can start a positive revolution!
Sharron's Tips to Lighten Up
The word ‘silly’ comes from the medieval word ‘seely’, which means good fortune, blessed, kind
Buy yourself a gift that makes you laugh.
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