Be Happy or Miserable....Your Decision Which You Wantt to Be

A few days ago while looking through one of my old journals; I came across something I had penned a few years ago.  It was a take off on a Dorothy Parker quote.  I knew an older woman who drank martinis and one Friday evening at happy hour, I decided to recite the quote for her; but she surprised me as she also knew the quote and recited it along with me.

“I like to have a martini,
Two at the very most.
After three I'm under the table,
after four I'm under my host.”
― Dorothy Parker, The Collected Dorothy Parker

 A few weeks later, at happy hour, I saw this woman again; I recited for her my take off on the Parker quote.  We both got a big laugh out of it.

Coming across the quote promoted me to find quotes by Parker and send them along as the poem of the day.  On one particular web site I found numerous funny quotes by her.  I am sure I would have loved to have known Dorothy Parker; I think she had a great sense of humor.

Having a sense of humor is important.  One needs the release of a good laugh every now and then especially in the world today.  A few days ago I wrote in a poem about how it takes more muscles to make a frown than a smile.  Now I am not sure if that statement is true, but when I frown I feel exhausted all over; but when I smile I feel alive and full of energy.

People who can not take a slight joke, pun or riddle have my deepest sympathy.  They sigh in displeasure, stick their nose up in the air and give you a scornful look.  I can never understand why some people are just plain miserable. 

Reader’s Digest magazine has a section called “Laughter is the Best Medicine”.  I tend to agree; a good joke, riddle or pun that makes one chuckle releases pent up frustration from deep within.

As I read the Dorothy Parker quotes I found myself laughing vigorously at some and chuckling at others.  After five minutes I felt revitalized as if a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

Recently I have found some funny quotes on cards posted to Facebook.  A few I have downloaded to keep handy for when I need a good laugh.

I wonder, if Ms. Parker were still alive today, would she be posting her humor on Facebook?  Would people appreciate her wit?  One of my favorite quotes by Dorothy Parker is the one about martinis.  Somehow I can relate to that; but it is not martinis for me but Cosmos.   

So have a Cosmo, or maybe you rather a martint, find something humorous to read and forget the problems of the world if only for a few minutes. 

One of my many mottos for life is this; laugh and others will laugh with you; frown…..you will be miserable alone.

I lift my Cosmo to you….cheers!

I enjoy drinking Cosmos

But no more than two

Three make me very woozy

And four make go WAH-HOO!!!

©Scottie-ann Murphy 2008