A Great Depression Survivor Shares a Silver Lining

You may lose your job, your retirement savings and even your house, but hold on to your sense of humor.

That’s the advice motivational speaker and author Loretta LaRoche is giving these days.

LaRoche grew up during the Great Depression and studied behavioral, or what she refers to as “mind-body,” medicine. Her goal is to bring humor to people’s lives.

“People have to humor their stress,” she says. And now, with an economy in recession, it is even more important for people to find humor in their lives and count their blessings.

With the holiday season in full swing, LaRoche talked to MainStreet about silver linings during tough times.

MainStreet: How important is it to keep your sense of humor during these tough economic times?
Loretta LaRoche: There is a quote by Viktor Frankl, who was a psychiatrist and neurologist and Holocaust survivor that says, ‘humor is the soul’s preservation.’ I’m a strong advocate of this [mantra.] Those who are capable of finding humor are more likely to [endure.] It’s the best coping mechanism we have.

MS: Economic times are no exception to that rule, correct?
LL: I witnessed the tail end of the Great Depression. I was born in 1939 and I remember a lot of laughter. People were always coming over and making do with what they had. Tough times can band people together, create a sense of community and hope. You have to find a bless in a mess.

MS: What about the people who lost a huge chunk of their money, perhaps their retirement savings?
LL: We’ve all been through bad times, we each have our own lengthy list of struggles. I’m not taking away their pain, but some people work so hard for their money, put it away, and say that they’ll have fun another day. Fun is not about something you seek, it’s about who you are. A person who is fun is more lighthearted and not all about their “to do” lists. The truth is, it’s not about getting through this tough time, and saying you can enjoy yourself afterwards, what if you die in the meanwhile?