Being as we are still in the season of Light, I wanted to keep it light. 

I’ve been anticipating using this New Yorker issue for a while now—The Cartoon Takeover from the end of 2019 with cover art by R. Sikoryak. 

I’m a huge fan of laughter. I belly-laugh as much as possible. I act the fool to make Hubs laugh, and he will tell you, sometimes he laughs at me because I’m just cracking my own self up. Laughter is a huge part of our almost-29-year relationship. 

I believe humor is eternal. Laughter lifts my spirit and raises my frequency, quite literally. I consider it a big part of my spiritual practice. Keep things light—when appropriate. And sometimes, a case of the giggles during your mother’s funeral is appropriate. (In that instance, it helps to have a sister’s shoulder to bury your head in while giggling.)

So in the spirit of keeping things light, this week I am tipping my hat to cartoon artists. 

I can remember as a kid being so excited when the Sunday paper would arrive. I’d head straight for the funnies. To me, nothing symbolizes cartoons more than the thought bubble. (I wonder who first came up with that device. Note to self: get out my Googles.)

In this collage, virtually everything comes from cartoons. The Gibson Girl is from one by Paul Noth. 

I don’t really believe that all the magic happens in our heads. Living in one’s head can become dysfunctional.

But I do believe magic begins with my intentions, thoughts, and imagination. It’s up to me to create something with that thought bubble. 

This is the first week I have added ink to my collage. I knew the thought bubble would need an outline, and I’ve been wanting to experiment with ink, so this seemed like the perfect opportunity. 

As we welcome in a new year, I’d like to remind myself—and you, if you need the reminder—to keep the light flowing through laughter. It’s magical. 

To kick us off, in lieu of one featured cartoon, here are a handful of my favorites. These are from a section of the issue where non-cartoonists were asked to share their favorites. 

Here is Steve Martin’s choice:

And Seth Meyers’:

Known to be William Blake’s AND Tigger’s favorite:

And just to show you that vegans have a sense of humor, this one might be MY favorite (and also Ina Garten’s):

And I’ll leave you with these great quotes about laughter from spiritual humorists and humorous spiritualists:

“Even the gods love jokes.” —Plato

“Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.” —Mark Twain

“As soap is to the body, so laughter is to the soul.” —A Jewish Proverb

“He who laughs, lasts!” —Mary Pettibone Poole

“If you become silent after your laughter, one day you will hear God also laughing, you will hear the whole existence laughing—trees and stones and stars with you.” —Osho

“If you have no tragedy, you have no comedy. Crying and laughing are the same emotion. If you laugh too hard, you cry. And vice versa.” —Sid Caesar

“Laughter connects you with people. It’s almost impossible to maintain any kind of distance or any sense of social hierarchy when you’re just howling with laughter. Laughter is a force for democracy.” —John Cleese

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.” —Victor Borge

“The greatest prayer you could ever pray is to laugh every day.” —Ramtha

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” —e.e. cummings

“The person who can bring the spirit of laughter into a room is indeed blessed.” —Bennett Cerf

“To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain and play with it.” —Charlie Chaplin

“With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” —William Shakespeare

“Dang. Alright.” (Rolls eyes, laughs at self.) —Dina Shadwell

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