Amusement

...They say "laughter is the best medicine." Nothing can lighten the load, or make one joyfully participate in the rib-knocking pleasures of human companionship than laughter. The Buddhists say that all life is suffering. So, perhaps tragedy is the wellspring of comedy. "When you've got lemons, make lemonade" they say. I'll take mine extra sweet. The noun amusement stems from the verb amuse. Could it be that at the heart of one of our deep-belly laughs is one of the nine muses from the springs of Helicon and Pieris? These daughters of Zeus and Mnemosyne who claimed Apollo as their leader were no mere water nymphs, but also goddesses responsible for such creations as epic poetry, history and music. Europe entered into an Age of Enlightenment by looking back and rekindling the achievements of the ancient Greek and Roman world. Those seekers were onto something. In pre-Revolutionary Paris there was a Masonic Lodge called Les Neuf Soeurs or The Nine Sisters that was attended by the likes of Benjamin Franklin and Voltaire. They were two pretty smart guys. Next time we go to a museum, it can be said that we are entering a cult palace of the muses. Pretty cool. So, to get back to amusement, let's always remember the importance of laughing. It's roots are pretty deep. You never know who's responsible for those tears coursing down your cheeks, or your desperate gasps for air. It could be Calliope, or even Cleo.

Sing in me O muse!
That my eyes may see
And my heart feel