"I feel like, when people are laughing, they're divorcing themselves from the things that make them human"

Laughter is such a curious thing. It’s like this escape hatch we use when life gets too heavy or too real. The core idea here is that when people laugh, they’re momentarily stepping away from the very things that stitch the fabric of our humanity together—our worries, our pains, our deep thoughts. It's like a little vacation from the things that make us feel deeply connected to the human experience.

Think about when this might have been said. Maybe it was during a tense dinner conversation, or perhaps right after a serious movie scene where someone cracked a perfectly-timed joke. It's those moments when you’re almost overwhelmed by emotion, and then laughter swoops in to lighten the load. Sometimes it's needed, sure, but it can also feel like an emotional dodge.

Let's paint a real-world picture. Imagine you're at a funeral. Not the most upbeat scenario, right? But funerals, in their essence, are deeply human gatherings. They’re packed with emotions, memories, and reflections on life and loss. Now, let's say someone shares a funny story about the departed—something that makes everyone chuckle. For a moment, the heaviness lifts. People laugh, and it feels good. But for that brief moment, they’ve also stepped away from the crushing reality of loss. Laughter has, in a way, divorced them from the raw human experience of grief.

So, how do we use this understanding in our daily lives? It's all about balance. Laughter is crucial—it's a release, a way to bond, a way to cope. But maybe we should be aware of when we’re using it as a shield. Next time you find yourself in a serious moment, and you feel that urge to make a joke, maybe pause. Think about whether you’re using humor to connect or to escape. There’s a subtle but important difference.

Here’s a more personal story for you. Picture a family dinner. It’s holiday time, and everyone’s gathered around the table. Conversation flows, and inevitably, someone brings up an old family conflict. The room tenses. Just as voices start to rise, someone cracks a joke about that time Uncle Joe tripped over the Christmas tree. Everyone laughs, and the tension evaporates. For a moment, the conflict is forgotten. But has it really gone away? Or have we just sidestepped it with humor?

In our day-to-day lives, we often face moments that are heavy or uncomfortable. It's so tempting to laugh them off, to make light of things that weigh us down. But maybe the next time you're in one of those moments, try sitting with the discomfort a little longer. Feel it. Understand it. Let it remind you that feeling deeply is part of what makes us beautifully human. And when you do laugh, let it be because you’re sharing in that human experience, not running from it.

So, the next time you’re with friends or family and you sense that the laughter is a bit of a smokescreen, just think about what’s bubbling underneath. Maybe you embrace it—acknowledge the joy, the pain, the complexity of it all. That’s what it means to be truly present, to be truly human.