A few years ago I drifted into a deep, perpetual cynicism. Over time I had allowed myself to become a little rough around the edges. I had let pessimism and sarcasm replace joy... and that just wasn't the person I wanted to be.

I don't know what finally snapped me out of it, but I remember this epiphany: "Alyssa you don't laugh like you used to." That single realization changed me forever. I began to enjoy people more, giggle harder at silly one-liners, and laugh longer at everyone's stories.

My friend Meredith has a request she constantly poses when we're together, one I've become so accustomed to that I didn't realize its pervasiveness in my own life. Meredith likes to (sweetly) demand: "Tell me a funny story." And I oblige. I pull from my back pocket the last memory, story or observation that made me laugh... and I share it with all the animation I can muster. I tell old stories of college foolishness. I tell quirky situations that I witness in my day-to-day living. I share outlandish thoughts and unconventional daydreams. At Meredith's urging, I'll tell any funny thing I can assemble. Yes, the phrase "Dance monkey, dance!" is all too true of me.

But I like that Meredith has trained me to share funny stories. I like to laugh, and I love to make others laugh. I enjoy seeing the world through rose-colored glasses of delight. I have stolen Mere's innocent command and integrated it into my own conversations. I find myself at dinner with a friend imploring: "Tell me a funny story."

I'm shocked at how many of my friends struggle to form a response. Perhaps it's time we snubbed the cynicism and tuned into the hilarity of our surroundings. It's likely that we all need to pay more attention to the small things that make us smile. Slip that little memory into your back pocket, and share it with someone later because we're all in need of more laughter.