There are many reasons why we would do well to study the life of Abraham Lincoln. But today, let’s focus on his love for laughter.

In one of my favorite books, The Words Lincoln Live By, author and friend, Gene Griessman, reports that Lincoln once said, “It was a common notion that those who laughed heartily and often never amounted to much, never made great men. If this be the case, farewell to all my glory.”

The great 20th century American poet and Lincoln biographer, Carl Sandburg, noted that Lincoln was considered the ” … first authentic humorist to occupy the Executive Mansion in Washington. His gift of laughter and flair for the funny being taken as a national belonging.”

The more you know about Lincoln’s many hardships and setbacks in his personal life, professional career and his presidency, the more impressed you become at how, in the face of everything, he still maintained his sense of humor.

If I could sigh one personal thing for all of us today, I think it would be more laughter. I would encourage us all to take as many opportunities as we can to laugh, including - especially including - at ourselves. With all of the challenges we vace each day in the pursuit of our entrepreneurial dreams, we must still find a way to laugh.

Let’s make sure we look for opportunities to nourish our spirits with laughter. After all, it is, as Mr. Lincoln said, ” … the joyous, beautiful, and universal evergreen of life.”

A while back on The Small Business Advocate Show, I talked with Lois Geller, founder and president of Lois Geller Marketing Group, about using injecting humor in your marketing strategy to create memorable messages. Please take a few minutes to listen to our conversation, laugh along with us, and let us know how you incorporate fun either inside your business or in your marketing.

Injecting humor into your marketing strategy with Lois Geller