Norman Cousins was once asked by a group of physicians to meet with cancer patients at a hospital. He told how he had lost a quarter in a pay phone. "Operator," he said, "I put in a quarter and didn't get my number." She said, "Sir, if you give me your name and address, we'll mail the coin to you."
He recited a full and long litany of all the steps and procedures and expense involved in returning his coin that way and concluded, "Now, operator, why don't you just return my coin and let's be friends?"
She repeated the offer and then asked if he had pushed the coin return plunger. He hadn't, but when he did, the phone box spewed out close to four dollars worth of change!
The operator said, "Sir, will you please put the coins back in the box?" Cousins replied, "If you give me your name and address I will be glad to mail you the coins."
The veterans exploded with cheers as Cousins told his story. Then one of the physicians asked, "How many of you came into this room in pain?" More than half raised their hands. "How many of you in the past few minutes had less or no pain?" All nodded 'yes.'
Laughter--it's one of the best pain medications ever!
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.
Proverbs 17:22
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