As a baby, my Goddaughter did some funny things. Most of the time she was innocently (or maybe not so innocently) doing things and speaking her youthful mind. To hear her laugh at things her Parents and I did let us know she was in touch with her emotions and that she was developing a healthy attitude. We are enjoying a season of commercial advertisements where we’re amused at children who mimic the actions and emotions of adults – and some of them are hilarious!

Laughter really is the best kind of medicine. Time and time again research tells us that laughter is good for the soul and for our overall mental well-being. So, why do so many people go to workplaces where there is plenty of work (sometimes an overload) but there is no laughter or levity in the atmosphere? When did we learn that work means being so serious it becomes stressful? Back in the day, we used to say, “All work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl”. That especially applies in today’s world; all work and no play is creating very stressful work environments where employers report high blood pressure, heart problems and folks being plain stressed out. As a result, we see some extremely stressful situations being played out in very unconstructive and dangerous ways in the workplace.

I’ve had the benefit of two “purgatory” work experiences; I’ve also found places where there is a much more pleasant work atmosphere and I’ll admit, I’m happy I experienced the purgatory times. How else would I appreciate the jobs where I got up in the morning knowing I was going to a place where we would work to the bone and have a few laughs during the day? It sure beats getting up on Sunday morning dreading the fact you have to go to a purgatory workplace on Monday morning! It is important, no vital, that employers listen for the “sounds” of employees in the workplace. What is their silence or lack of laughter really saying?

So, how did I cope when I worked in those purgatory situations? I found colleagues in the workplace who I could sit with for moments of solace. My weekdays and weekends were filled with events and people that gave me joy – movies, museum visits, church, dinners with family and friends and volunteer work – things that gave me a mental break from work. I meditated and had devotions every morning before I went to work so I stayed centered no matter how nasty the storm of the day would be. I had, and have, wonderfully “courageous companions” who support me when things get crazy. A quick phone call to say, “Hey, I’m thinking about you” meant everything to me. Those purgatory situations were hard however; thank goodness, they didn’t last forever!

As a Godmother, one of the sweetest sounds in this world was hearing Alyssa laugh – and it still is. As a Human Resources professional, for me, one of the sweetest sounds in the workplace was the sound of hard-working, productive employees and managers finding times of laughter and levity during their workday. That is when I knew my employees were not only driving a successful bottom line and enjoying their work, I also knew they were doing well.

Lesson learned!