Humor is a big part of my recovery. As the AA Big Book says, “We absolutely insist on enjoying life” (AA pg. 132). I have created a Step 12 & 4/8ths: take the actions of humor (or Rule 62) seriously:

1) I learned to juggle so that I could entertain people. (I juggle in my car at red lights and often get a thumbs up and a smile from people nearby.)

2) I search for and tell puns, like: “I wasn’t going to get a brain transplant but then I changed my mind.” Or: “I’m reading a book about anti-gravity and it’s impossible to put down.”

3) I bought a cheap pair of drug-store glasses, popped out the lenses, and later put them on and rubbed my eyes through the holes saying, “I think I need new glasses” or “I think there’s something wrong with these glasses.”

4) I bought a deck of blank playing cards, and I splay them out in my hand telling people to pick one so I can show them my new card trick. Then I wait for the funny quizzical look on their face and then I show them that all the cards are blank.

5) I draw funny cartoons for others to see at work.

These are just a few examples of how I “find the funny,” as humorists are known to say, because if I can find humor in a difficult situation, I often find I have practiced my way out of resentment.