BACKPAGES NEWSLETTER - FRIDAY, Feb 21, 2025 wk#8 - WHY AM I HERE?
WHO'S YOUR DATA? and WHY AM I HERE? DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY.
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It will make your experience more pleasant, thorough, and meaningful.
For the purpose of this illustration, let’s say you are Ned, a student at a snooty private university. You are a freshman, studying liberal arts. Nothing special about you.
At dinner time, you ramble to the cafeteria, grab a tray, and as you move down the line, you notice that all your choices are familiar to you.
There is Monday’s meatloaf, last week’s spaghetti, and a tired veal cutlet shaped like Lake Huron.
“Isn’t this the same stuff we’ve been eating for a while?”
“The beauty is it hasn’t killed you yet.”
“I’m just tired of it.”
“Wait a minute, let me see your student ID card.”
You hold it up and show him. His eyes light up, and he breaks out into a big smile.
“Wait a minute- you’ve got the 8 oz. ribeye coming… I told the manager we should look at these at the start of the line!”
“The undergrads here checked on their survey that they liked meatloaf, spaghetti, and veal, so that’s what they get. You, on the other hand qualified for the upgrade, which tonight is this tasty prime rib eye. ENJOY!”
So flash to reading this publication. If you enroll as a bourgeois undergrad, you will probably get the usual groundhog day dinners.
If you upgrade, and subscribe to a dish that you like, the administration will go out of its way to be sure you get what you want, regardless of the difficulty. And the best part is it’s free- it won’t cost your daddy an extra farthing.
Smile!
Photo by Amanda Sofia Pellenz
Remember, writing is not a job. It’s a pleasure. It’s fun! Don’t be so dreary.
My English teachers would have slapped me around if I had ever said, out loud, the kind of stuff I get to write about now.
Now I know this is the “No-Stupid-Theories-Tour,” but here’s one to think about, at least. If you have more fun writing, you’ll write more, and the better you will get at it. If you write more and better, your readers will read more too.
Leave your stats page behind, wipe your tears, and cut loose!
So, Now, Why Am I Here?
Photo by Ben White
OK, I cut up. I do that a lot. All my life, so far, I laugh. I make people laugh. Sometimes without meaning to.
Even in the hospital, occasionally someone would ask my wife if I was like “this” all the time. Of course, she would have to say “yes.” I don’t mean gross, “fall-on-your-butt” funny, iI guess I just seem to juxtapose my houghts and conversations in such a way as to sometimes elicit a grin, not a guffaw.
I do try, from time to time, to be completely serious, but I don’t last very long at it.
Is There a Reason?
Sometimes, I think I may have been put on earth to make someone smile.
Then, when I started writing, it was a train wreck. I could start writing a serious piece, and almost immediately, my funnier spirit would grab the wheel and run me and the story into the ditch and through somebody’s yard.
When I look at, and write about different life situations, as much as I try, the end result turns out a bit light-hearted, which may not be right for whatever my subject matter.
Since I have started writing, I corectly call myself a writer and author, but legally, I have to put some disclaimer, a caveat, so readers will not be taken by surprise with my sense of humor. I do not call myself a comedian, because I don’t tell jokes or do slapstick, but rather I call myself a humorist.
So don’t expect my writing to be completely serious for any great period of time. Just chuckle it off as ta-ta would sing. I hope I am reaching the people I am supposed to, because, whoever you are, you need to lighten up and grin more.
There’s solid research showing that laughter, smiling, and happiness can have real, positive effects on the body’s nervous and immune systems. Writing about this could
Laugh It Off. Joy Supercharges Your Body and Mind
The Unexpected Superpower You Already Have
You know those days when life feels like a bad sitcom rerun? You spill your coffee, forget your phone, and realize—halfway through the grocery store—you’re wearing mismatched shoes. But then, something small happens. Maybe you watch a silly video, hear a friend’s corny joke, or just let out a chuckle at the chaos of your day. Suddenly, things don’t feel so bad.
Here’s the kicker: that little laugh isn’t just a mood booster—it’s a full-on health upgrade. Science shows that laughter, smiling, and genuine happiness can strengthen your immune system, calm your nervous system, and even relieve pain. Yep, your body loves a good laugh just as much as your sense of humor does.
Why Laughter Is Basically a Workout for Your Nervous System
Laughter isn’t just for fun—it’s a legit stress-buster. When you laugh, your brain releases a flood of feel-good chemicals like endorphins and dopamine. Think of it as nature’s built-in chill pill.
But that’s not all. Laughing also lowers levels of cortisol—your body’s main stress hormone—and stimulates the vagus nerve, which triggers the body’s relaxation response. The result? A lower heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and a delightful sense of calm.
And here’s a fun fact to tuck away for trivia night: laughing 100 times burns about the same number of calories as 10 minutes on a rowing machine. That’s right—binge-watching comedies could technically count as cardio. (Okay, maybe not real cardio, but it’s a solid excuse to laugh more.)
Smiling—Even Fake Smiles—Can Trick Your Brain Into Happiness
Get ready for the weirdest (and coolest) life hack ever: forcing yourself to smile—even when you’re not feeling it—can actually make you happier.
Here’s how it works: smiling sends signals to your brain that release dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins, your body’s natural mood boosters. This means even a fake smile can lower stress and boost your mood.
Try it right now. Go ahead—smile. Feel silly? That’s fine. We’re all silly. Your brain doesn’t care. It’ll still reward you with a chemical cocktail of happiness. Plus, smiling relaxes your heart rate and can help ease anxiety.
It’s like a cheat code for your brain—no batteries required.
How Happiness Boosts Your Immune System
Here’s where things get seriously cool: Being happy actually makes you healthier. Research shows that positive emotions boost your immune response by increasing the production of antibodies and enhancing the activity of T-cells, the little warriors that help fight off illness.
Even better? People who regularly experience joy tend to have lower levels of inflammation, which is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. In short, happiness could be your secret weapon against getting sick.
It’s like giving your immune system a pep talk—no motivational speeches required.
Real-Life Stories That Prove It Works
Take Norman Cousins, for example. Diagnosed with a painful, life-threatening illness, Cousins decided to fight it with high doses of… laughter. He watched endless funny movies and found that ten minutes of deep belly laughs gave him two hours of pain-free sleep. His unconventional approach? A game-changer for mind-body medicine.
Or consider this study from the University of Maryland. Researchers found that laughter improves blood flow and strengthens the heart. Watching a comedy can actually make your arteries behave like those of a much younger person. (Take that, kale smoothies.)
The takeaway? Laughter isn’t just good for the soul—it’s heart-healthy, too. So don’t expect me to always be serious in writing or in person.
Easy Ways to Add More Joy Into Your Day
You don’t need to wait for something hilarious to happen. Here are some quick ways to boost your joy today:
Watch a comedy show or silly YouTube video. Even five minutes can make a difference.
Smile at strangers—or yourself in the mirror. Sounds odd, but it works.
Share a joke or funny meme with a friend. Double the laughter, double the fun.
Try laughter yoga. (Yes, it’s a real thing—and surprisingly contagious.)
Start a gratitude journal. Focusing on the good stuff boosts happiness and lowers stress.
Conclusion- Your Daily Prescription for Joy
Here’s the easiest health advice you’ll ever get: Laugh more. Smile often. Find joy wherever you can. It’s free, fun, and scientifically proven to make your body—and your life—better.
So, go ahead and binge that comedy show guilt-free. Doctor’s orders. 😄
How to upgrade.
If you are one of the discerning readers who enjoy my writing, there are three places for you to consider upgrading.
Medium.
You’re already here. You’ve paid your tuition. If you are enjoying this or any of my other stuff, you can get your free upgrade by clicking the little envelope-looking icon near my name and bio. Then every time I publish one of these magnificent pieces, it will find its way straight to your computer’s email. And it’s free!
My Substacks.
It’s the same way on my Substacks. I do have three or four, and you are welcome to read any one of them. Treat them like a website blog and look at them whenever you want. But, here again, you can upgrade by subscribing. And I will do all the work- write write write, email email email, and that upgrade subscription is free too.
My author’s website.
Here again, you can check it out for free, but you can also subscribe for free. Anytime you subscribe, you will get a much better dinner.
Isn’t it time you, too, became an upperclassman? Subscribe now, and get your upgrade. And smile!
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Don’s a keen observer and prolific reporter of truth, common sense, humor, & life. He’s a WRITER and humorist, sometimes serious, sometimes tongue-in-cheek. He lives in Nashville, TN. He publishes every weekday morning. If you liked this stuff, get his direct delivery by subscribing HERE!
Keep those questions coming, and tell your remaining friends about us!
THAT will support the arts!
Thanks,
-don, changing what I can change, laughing at what I can’t.
"...a tired veal cutlet shaped like Lake Huron...."????!!!!
I know, David, It's a trite and overworked description...
sorry, I'll try to do better,
-don