Some of you may have noticed a lag between this and my last Wisdom blog (Day One 5/22/17). I’ve had a lot to say about our recent elections and their fallout . We are at political DefCon Alpha. Current events get in the way of more general thoughts about life. As a student of history, a world traveler, a user of the Oxford comma, and a person of faith I have a whole lot to say about our Orwellian present.
But today let’s veer off the political track for a moment and let me tell you about a practice I am new at and love: laughing at myself.
One of my character flaws is that I take myself seriously. Those who love me say I take myself too seriously. To be perfectly honest, sometimes I do. Okay, lots of times. That being said, when I laugh at myself something happens. My perspective shifts and I experience a sharp drop of stress. It’s a two for one special: freedom from self-judgment and openness to self-acceptance.
So the entirety of my wisdom for today is this: learn to laugh at yourself – your foibles, your missteps, your idiocy – and don’t wait until you are my age to do it. Life will be so much easier to navigate.
I’m convinced that it was laughter, not romantic skill, that has kept my wife with me all these years! Even my romantic skill is laughable!