"I Believe"--Robert Fulghum

“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge - myth is more potent than history - dreams are more powerful than facts - hope always triumphs over experience - laughter is the cure for grief - love is stronger than death”

It is clear to me that the message the author is trying to articulate is that determination is a very powerful aspect of life. That if you have an aspiration to fufill, it is possible as long as you are consistant and ambitious. If complications appear, or someone is doubtful of your abilities, you must remember that "imagination is stronger than knowledge", (personification), that if you believe you can accomplish something, there is no obstacle you cant overcome. This poem makes me believe that I can achieve anything I put effort into.
In every phrase of this poem, personification is used. Although to me, the quote, "laughter is the cure for grief," is a metaphor that can also be interpreted as a use of symbolism. It is a metaphor because it is not physically a 'cure' for grief, but rather an advance in the right direction. It can also be symbolism, being that the laughter represents happiness or an improvement in becoming more cheerful.
From the poem "I believe" by Robert Fulghum, the quote "laughter is a cure for grief" made me wonder how true that statement really is. I understood that laughter is happiness, and happiness eases the pain of grief, but it turns out laughter does a lot more than just make you happy.
A dose of laughter keeps your heart younger!
BY K K AGGARWAL
DR K K Aggarwal, Executive Vice-Chairman of Heart Care Foundation of India and President Elect, Delhi Medical Association, inaugurating a session on humour and health in the Capital recently, said that all hospitals should add humour department in their institutional setting. They should have a humour coordinator and a humour room.
Studies from all over the world have shown that an atmosphere of humour results in better patient cure, less anaesthesia time, less operating time and lesser hospital stay.
Dr Aggarwal said that patients could add a daily dose of laughter—by watching a funny video for instance. Apart from advising regular exercise and a low-fat diet, all doctors should advice laughter two to three times a day. People who laugh a lot are less likely to be stressed, is a well-known observation in the medical fraternity. Stressed, anxious or depressed people also are more likely to smoke, be physically inactive and rely on high fat 'comfort foods' and alcohol as part of their coping strategy.
Talking about laughter, Dr Aggarwal said that the act of laughing releases chemicals that affect the blood vessels, perhaps like nitric oxide, known to dilate blood vessels. The chemical, related to the nitrous oxide used to relax dental patients, is already targeted by some heart drugs.