Every morning I pick an angel card out of a bowl on my desk that one of my children made for me when she was a little girl. The cards always ground me in intention as I start my day and I am always curious about those times I tend to pick the same card over and over again.
This week I have picked “humor” over and over. I find this interesting as an intention presenting itself to me at this time. My father died this year, I continue to struggle with the state of the world, and I absolutely can forget to lighten up and not take everything (inducing myself) so seriously.
I find myself thinking about one of my teachers who used to remind me to have fun in my job. What she picked up at that time is how I was terrified of making mistakes and risk being seen as imperfect or flawed. I was a new counselor wanting to prove myself at a time that I was actually supposed to be making mistakes. I missed opportunities to learn out of my fear of being exposed as inept or unworthy. I think back at the pressure I put on myself at that time and my refusal to lighten up or have compassion for myself. I think about how I forgot to have fun. I hope I have learned a few things along the way. I think I have.
To be honest, humor is my favorite skill..and acting opposite as a way to restore balance.
Humor reminds us things are not all bad. Humor reminds us to laugh at ourselves and make space for imperfection. Humor is the counterbalance at a time when the heaviness threatens us all. Seek out joy, laugh often, and have fun along the way.
