Amusement Is A Tool Of Healing
Amusement is an ingredient in healing.
Using amusement to help you heal may sound a bit ridiculous. But I have news for you—it works. Let me share a personal story to show you how. This might tug at your heart, but stay with me—there’s a spark of light in it.
I’m originally from Chicago, and most of my family is still there. Because of that, we often have online Zoom hangouts. Back in 2019, my father told me he had bad news about my mom’s health and that we were going to tell her as a family. See, my mom didn’t understand much English—her first language was Spanish. Of course, the news hit my heart like a train. Of course, I was a mess. Of course, we were all a mess. But we tried to hold it together as we explained to my mom, over Zoom, that she had cancer. My immediate family was together in the same home, while I joined from afar. Tears were flowing.
When my dad finished explaining, my mom laughed and said, “I’m not sure why you all are crying. I’m good with God. It’s you all that are fucked!”
I know. What the heck, right?
We all started laughing. My mom’s battle was a short one. But in that moment, she showed us something profound. Whether consciously or unconsciously, she knew, and maybe we did too. But that brief moment of amusement in the darkness—it was like a spark of light breaking through. A light she would eventually travel towards.
You might be thinking, "Whoa, this is dark." But that’s just my version of dark, and I’m sure you have your own. Imagine what it would be like if, in your darkest moments, someone showed up with just a little bit of amusement. Endings are hard. They are also beautiful. There are always pockets of amusement to access. To be clear, I don’t mean avoiding emotions—I mean noticing the dichotomy within emotions. Giving yourself a little more range to move through them.
Finding Amusement in Everyday Life
We often see this play out in the world around us. Think about how people use funny memes to cope with political conflicts. When things feel chaotic or overwhelming, a well-placed joke or satirical meme can help people process their frustration in a way that doesn’t completely drain them. It’s a reminder that even in tense situations, we still have access to levity, perspective, and humor. It doesn’t erase the problem, but it gives us a moment of relief—just enough space to breathe and reset.
The same principle applies to creativity and work. Whether you're an artist staring at a blank canvas, a writer battling writer’s block, or someone stuck in the monotony of daily tasks, amusement can be the missing key to unlocking flow. Playfulness invites new perspectives, helping you break through frustration and access inspiration. If you've ever laughed at how absurd your struggles can be, you know how quickly amusement can shift your energy and get you moving again.
There are also many ways to activate your amusement without meditation. Stand-up comedy, funny podcasts, making up silly songs, or watching a humorous TV show can all help you shift into a more playful mindset. These activities can lighten the load and remind you that laughter and amusement can be a simple, everyday tool to access joy and balance.
A Simple Way to Shift into Amusement
Whenever you feel stuck in heavy emotions, try this practice to shift your energy and give yourself a little breathing room:
Step into a quiet space where you can sit uninterrupted for a few minutes. Even a bathroom stall will do.
Gently close your eyes, take a deep breath, and step into your imagination.
To make sure you’re in your imagination (and not in problem-solving mode), picture yourself doing something funny—like the worm or a hula hoop dance. You get the idea.
Notice your body. Are you holding tension? Are you feeling tender?
Imagine a meter in front of you that goes from 1 to 100. This meter measures how much amusement you’re currently experiencing. The amusement meter is all about rising your ability to have amusement in the body—just gently increasing the sensation of fun and lightness within you.
No judgment—whether it’s at 1% or 50%, just take your psychic finger and move the hand on that meter all the way up to 100. Breathe as you do this.
Once you reach 100, notice your body again. How does it feel? Is there a shift?
When you increase the amount of amusement in your body, you’ll feel the shift instantly—as long as your attention is on yourself. Try it the next time you need a little light in the darkness. You might be surprised at how much room you have to breathe.
