A young blonde secured a position as a physical education teacher for a group of 16-year-olds. While supervising the pupils playing soccer on the field, she observed one boy standing alone at the far end, away from the pack.

She approached the boy out of sympathy. “Hey there, everything alright?” she inquired politely. The boy nodded. Seeing his reluctance to join the game, she encouraged him, adding, “You can go and have fun with the others, you know.”

To her surprise, the youngster shook his head. “I think it’s best if I stay here,” he said. The teacher inquired further: “And why is that, honey?”The boy glanced at her, puzzled, and responded, “Because I’m the goalie!”

Laughing together not only develops connection, but it also relieves stress and brightens even the most mundane of circumstances. In a world full of tension and severity, moments like this remind us of the joy and simplicity that laughter brings.