AYD - April 26, 2013 - Laugh With Me...Please I Insist.

“If we cant laugh at ourselves, do we have the right to laugh at others?”
- C. H. Hamel


My life changed the day I finally accepted myself.  The day I began to like me, instead of trying to be something so that others would.

I would not say I was bullied.  Just an easy target for friends to joke with, and an easy target to be embarrassed.  It took awhile for me to realize that half the reason someone "picks" on you is the reaction you always give...that makes it automatic Ha Ha for them.  Now that I look at it, the reaction is half the funny.  I used to get so bent out of shape, and did not realize... THAT was the real funny.  Not the joke, the reaction.

I cannot pin point the day I crossed over to the Ah Hah side ... but in there, I began to relax, and then in my new found good nature, my humor improved.  I saw my qualities instead of my drawbacks.  I could crack a joke about myself, and that showed I was genuine, and self confident enough that I could enjoy being vulnerable.  More importantly, I could take a joke and laugh with it, instead of being mad at it simply because I was so insecure.

I have friends that are naturally funny.  They are quick witted and can jump on moments that open opportunity and capitalize on them.  I cannot.  I am not in that zone ... and when I try to be..I usually feed their wit.  I am okay with it.  In fact, I love that difference ... for it is true, and there is no pressure for it to be any other way.  We as friends, appreciate exactly who we are.  They appreciate how I open the door constantly for a zinger without even realizing it...and I appreciate that their humor is so good natured and not vindictive.

It begins I guess with liking yourself. Like you, accept your unique qualities, and accept that sometimes, they can be funny.... or you simply do stuff that is funny.

I may not have spewed this quite right, but I hope you get it.  So today, think of one thing about you that is worth a giggle.  What do you do that sends your friends into a laughing fit?  What do you do that drives them nuts so they end up ribbing you about it?

You dress just a little off logical.
You snort when you laugh.
You flex in every mirror.
You take too long to fix your hair...and really...it still needs help.
You are cheap.
You are a guy that likes chick flicks.
Or...
You are a lovey dovey 205 pound big shouldered voice of reason poet of a man that cryed alot at your own wedding.... Yup, that one is me.  ( She is beautiful, and she picked me... you would cry tears of joy too.)

Enjoy a moment at laughter at the JOY of who you are ... the Shake Your Head of who you are ... the acceptance of the "Ya, that's our friend" moments of who you are ....

Then and only then, can you laugh at and with others ... People do some odd things in this world, so may I suggest that when we stand back in disbelief asking and laughing at "What were you thinking???" ... mix in a moment of understanding and humility to take the edge off ...

Afterall, someone at some point in time, looked at us the exact same way for what they heard or saw us do.

Laughter is the best medicine ... for insecurities, and judgements.

Good morning, Great day.  Greater you, is a better day for everyone else.
Pierre Couturier
Husband, Daddy, and Author of my day.