One of Robin William’s most memorable quotes comes from the movie “The World’s Greatest Dad” when he tells a talk show audience that “Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem." We find it ironic that Williams, who has made the world laugh, saw no other way of solving his own problems and most sadly, took his own life this week.
Williams, one of the most respected and talented actors of our time was well known for his humorous and inspiring roles such as a woman in Mrs. Doubt fire, a therapist in Good Will Hunting and a radio DJ in Good Morning Vietnam. It is a strange parallel that in his personal life he had been suffering from long term depression, alcohol and substance abuse since the 1960’s. In this rather skewed light, we may well ask ourselves, “Is laughter really the best medicine”?
We often think that laughter and happiness run together side by side …show more content…
Child-like play and laughter exercises, forcing laughter apparently makes the mind feels better. However, isn’t this what comedians are doing and yet they are still not necessarily happy? Aren’t they forcing themselves to laugh while entertaining the audience? Of course, it is, and look, how that turned out to be; Both the Williams’ could not make themselves happy despite doing what these Laughter Therapies prescribe. Makes us wonder if these therapies actually cure or help diminish depressive thoughts at all.
Maybe laughter is not the best medicine after all and whilst Robin Williams will be sorely missed, he has left us laughing, albeit temporarily. Laughing at his lovable tongue in cheek humour and clumsy antics certainly does release happy hormones that for some time keep our troubles at bay. Laughter may not be the answer to all our troubles but at least we cannot laugh and frown at the same
Williams, one of the most respected and talented actors of our time was well known for his humorous and inspiring roles such as a woman in Mrs. Doubt fire, a therapist in Good Will Hunting and a radio DJ in Good Morning Vietnam. It is a strange parallel that in his personal life he had been suffering from long term depression, alcohol and substance abuse since the 1960’s. In this rather skewed light, we may well ask ourselves, “Is laughter really the best medicine”?
We often think that laughter and happiness run together side by side …show more content…
Child-like play and laughter exercises, forcing laughter apparently makes the mind feels better. However, isn’t this what comedians are doing and yet they are still not necessarily happy? Aren’t they forcing themselves to laugh while entertaining the audience? Of course, it is, and look, how that turned out to be; Both the Williams’ could not make themselves happy despite doing what these Laughter Therapies prescribe. Makes us wonder if these therapies actually cure or help diminish depressive thoughts at all.
Maybe laughter is not the best medicine after all and whilst Robin Williams will be sorely missed, he has left us laughing, albeit temporarily. Laughing at his lovable tongue in cheek humour and clumsy antics certainly does release happy hormones that for some time keep our troubles at bay. Laughter may not be the answer to all our troubles but at least we cannot laugh and frown at the same