I was scrolling through my Facebook feed before class like I always do (bad habit, I know), and one of the posts I saw was a short video that one of my favorite comedians posted from one of his shows. Watching the short clip, I smiled to myself as I listened and watched the comedian's lighthearted criticism of a subject to which I clearly related--and obviously so did many other people. It was funny because it was true. The topic of the bit is irrelevant, but the comments that followed on the video were what caught my attention.

Let me first clarify: the joke in the video did not contain anything even remotely offensive. And yet, most people still found some issue with it or some way to be offended. I wasn't at all shocked by the people who were "disappointed" in the comedian because quite frankly, you get used to people analyzing something to its depths before they decide whether or not it is worthy of a laugh. By the time they decide, everyone else has moved on, and the "joke studier" is the one left without even mustering a smile.

So my challenge to all of you (on a Monday, no less) is to laugh.

Genuinely laugh. Not everything has to be examined so carefully that you have to come to the conclusion that something "offends" you. Then as a result, you decide that you shouldn't laugh but rather point out to everyone else that they should be disappointed by their own sense of humor. I can almost guarantee that in any joke, when investigated close enough, one can find something even just the slightest bit offensive. But if you're like me, you notice that more and more people are choosing to take everything seriously, and there is less laughter in the world. Less laughter, I believe, leads to less joy and happiness that this world so desperately needs.

Please do not misunderstand me. There are ways of talking about certain topics that may truly be in poor taste or shouldn't be said. It is important to be aware of one's audience and not take things too far. But it is getting to point when I can't even laugh at myself without offending other people. My encouragement to you the next time you hear a joke that's supposed to be innocently funny, laugh. I promise it won't hurt.