While I love cartoons, I don’t think I could live without stand-up comedy.

 For the number of times that my head has been so full of stress and worry that I could barely think straight, I can equally count the number of times that listening to a quality comedy routine has diffused those cerebral time-bombs and poured balm on a brain going ballistic.

Here’s a shout out to some comedians who have salved my mind in troubled times, and made my sides ache from laughter:

Patton Oswalt, Christopher Titus, Jim Gaffigan, Garrison Keillor, Bill Hicks, Brian Regan, David Cross, Eddie Izzard, Demetri Martin, Bill Cosby, Danny Bhoy, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Carr, Mark Watson, Mitch Hedberg, Ross Noble, Steven Wright, Steven K Amos, Tim Minchin.

I hold high reverence for comedians like these that can get up in front of a crowd, make eye contact, and deliver insight and wisdom through their own twisted perspective, turn of phrase and dick jokes. For me, such comedy enters the realm of the sublime; a truly spiritual experience.

For those who share my devotion for stand-up comedy, pray with me the prayer that Bill Hicks prays at the close of his brilliant “Rant in E-Minor” album. All together now …

“Lift me up out of this illusion Lord. Heal my perception that I might know only reality and only you.”