The Fun Factor: Unleashing the Power of Humor at Home and on the Job

Rating:
Summary: The POWER of Humor makes for POWERFUL reading
Review: I came to Dr. Kuhn's book with reservations, prepared to read another self-help book where the author tells me how to be a better version of myself (perhaps more like him or her). The reality of the experience of reading this book proved to be unique and powerful. Dr. Kuhn insists that we already hold within us an enormous capacity for joy and healing and his arguement for unleashing this capacity is convincing and timely. He believes that our potential for joy is directly linked to our relationship with our own unique sense of humor. Unleashing the "humor being" within you enables you to more fully, without guilt or worry, experience the joy which constantly surrounds you. Dr. Kuhn not only gives us permission, but insists that we explore the terrain of our own humor history and indulge in the unique coping mechanism of laughter. Everything from a smile to a titter to a belly laugh is fair game, each bringing abundant health benefits. Dr. Kuhn shares personal stories of his own explorations with humor and shares humor's role in his own childhood (his father was instrumental in helping him create and nurture his own sense of humor), his work (working with critically ill patients, their families and with chronic pain patients), and his family (humor was the best and most acceptable way his children dealt with him as an alcoholic father). Dr. Kuhn is brutally honest in passages which brought me to tears and made me laugh out loud. In my work with Alzheimer's patients, humor is a valuable tool for improving the quality of both their lives and mine. This book has become a resource for care providers, family members and friends. If you've ever wondered when it's okay to laugh, Dr. Kuhn can answer that question. In the most dire of circumstances, there is joy to be experienced. Dr. Kuhn not only gives you permission to do so, but provides you with the tools you need to reconnect with your unique "humor being."