I love reading about humor. I possess some old books on the subject, like Isaac Asimov's Treasury of Humor, and Exit Laughing by Irvin Cobb. Another 2" volume on the shelf is The Oxford Book of Humorous Prose. I got those for my last hip replacement surgery recovery, but they're not keepers. (Let me know if you want them!)
Humor is so personal, so cultural. I enjoy some of the BBC comedies on PBS. They require that I pay attention, especially to the British English nuances.
In the late 70s, early 80s, we lived in Asia. Our Thai leader called Acharn, which basically means "teacher," loved to tell the story of baptizing new believers in a northeastern village. The only water deep enough was the pig trough. What tickled this usually solemn man was mimicking the pig sounds. "Oot! Oot!" and then he giggled. Again, "Oot! Oot!" and more laughter.
To my western mind it wasn't all that funny. Perhaps, I thought, like much situational humor, you just had to be there.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
OUCH!
I'm trying to spend time throughout my week reading entries in past journals. Today I was in 1991. It often makes me laugh or cry, mad or sad. Today I read about some conflicts with family members...immediate and extended. When I found an idea I believed at the time which was not true, I scribbled in big letters, "LIE!" It is sad to see how many lies I've believed over the years.
The harder part was when I was confronted with truth by people, and it hurt so bad. When it was an extended family member or co-worker who spoke it, I was upset and vowed to avoid them for awhile. But when my children echoed the truth with: "She's right, Mom. That is how you are," my response then and even today was visceral. Ouch, that hurts.
Truth often hurts. Then we have the opportunity to turn it around and use it as a tool for healing. Or we can deny, ignore, and blame, turning it into a bitterness that pushes everyone away. Ouch, even that truth stings a bit!
The harder part was when I was confronted with truth by people, and it hurt so bad. When it was an extended family member or co-worker who spoke it, I was upset and vowed to avoid them for awhile. But when my children echoed the truth with: "She's right, Mom. That is how you are," my response then and even today was visceral. Ouch, that hurts.
Truth often hurts. Then we have the opportunity to turn it around and use it as a tool for healing. Or we can deny, ignore, and blame, turning it into a bitterness that pushes everyone away. Ouch, even that truth stings a bit!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Situational Honesty
Are you always 100% honest? I want to believe I am. But alas, I know me.
Lying, doctoring the truth, minimalizing truth, white lies, whatever we call it, I have done it. As a kid, I lied a lot. I believed (and I proved this to be true), that if I told the truth, I would be punished anyway for whatever I was confessing. If I lied and got away with it, great. Trouble is lying is like many other vices: I lose a part of myself - that part of me created to be in right relationship with others and with my Creator.
I don't lie anymore - on purpose - at least not just to be lying. I do not always say every-thing I think (even if you believe I do!).
I do believe integrity is very important. Once at Safeway, the clerk and I forgot the bottled water on the bottom of the cart. I got home before checking out the receipt and had to go back and pay for it.
Two other true stories: In another city, I met a woman from church in the supermarket parking lot. She was a single mom, with three girls to support alone. She greeted me warmly and excitedly reported, "Wow, God has really blessed me today. The clerk made a huge error in my favor! She gave me almost $15.00 more than she should have!"
A friend of mine once told me the story of a tube of lipstick. As a child, she was fascinated by lipstick, but her parents thought her too young to wear it. One day her piano teacher had forgotten to put her lipstick back in her purse, and the child slipped it into her pocket.
Hers was a very religious family, where family prayer took place every night. That first night, little E. couldn't concentrate on prayer for thinking of the tube of lipstick in her coat pocket. In fact, every time she prayed, the tube of lipstick got bigger and bigger, like some magic potion was making it grow. How could everyone NOT know about it?
Finally she had to confess her theft and her mother made her immediately return the lipstick.
I've been thinking about John 1 --- Jesus is described as full of grace and truth. I want to be too.
Lying, doctoring the truth, minimalizing truth, white lies, whatever we call it, I have done it. As a kid, I lied a lot. I believed (and I proved this to be true), that if I told the truth, I would be punished anyway for whatever I was confessing. If I lied and got away with it, great. Trouble is lying is like many other vices: I lose a part of myself - that part of me created to be in right relationship with others and with my Creator.
I don't lie anymore - on purpose - at least not just to be lying. I do not always say every-thing I think (even if you believe I do!).
I do believe integrity is very important. Once at Safeway, the clerk and I forgot the bottled water on the bottom of the cart. I got home before checking out the receipt and had to go back and pay for it.
Two other true stories: In another city, I met a woman from church in the supermarket parking lot. She was a single mom, with three girls to support alone. She greeted me warmly and excitedly reported, "Wow, God has really blessed me today. The clerk made a huge error in my favor! She gave me almost $15.00 more than she should have!"
A friend of mine once told me the story of a tube of lipstick. As a child, she was fascinated by lipstick, but her parents thought her too young to wear it. One day her piano teacher had forgotten to put her lipstick back in her purse, and the child slipped it into her pocket.
Hers was a very religious family, where family prayer took place every night. That first night, little E. couldn't concentrate on prayer for thinking of the tube of lipstick in her coat pocket. In fact, every time she prayed, the tube of lipstick got bigger and bigger, like some magic potion was making it grow. How could everyone NOT know about it?
Finally she had to confess her theft and her mother made her immediately return the lipstick.
I've been thinking about John 1 --- Jesus is described as full of grace and truth. I want to be too.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Joy Friends
I had to call her this morning...my quirky joy friend. I call her when I have a joke or story that I find quite funny, but know that most of my friends would hear it, squint and shake their heads, indicating, "What's so funny about that?"
My joy friend has a more outrageous sense of humor than I do, so she understands me.
The story was actually about something kind of tragic that happened, but had a humorous bent to it. I know many people would go, "Oh, that's awful." And I would agree.
It reminds me, however, of how life can be: horrible or hilarious...sometimes one or the other...sometimes both and at the same time. I have to try to find humor in some of the most difficult things of life. Often I can see it best in hindsight!
My husband has Huntington's Disease and lives in an adult care home. He sometimes says funny things that kind of surprise people. He doesn't filter his words much anymore. This week I stopped to see him on my way home from work. He was very alert and we laughed about past crazy experiences.
I said, "I really miss laughing with you. We've done that a lot over the years." He scrunched up his mouth to make his "crying" face; I choked up too, thinking of the sadness and loss HD brings.
Then he turned and looked at me and said, "You want to make out?"
We both laughed out loud. And I've been chuckling ever since!
My joy friend has a more outrageous sense of humor than I do, so she understands me.
The story was actually about something kind of tragic that happened, but had a humorous bent to it. I know many people would go, "Oh, that's awful." And I would agree.
It reminds me, however, of how life can be: horrible or hilarious...sometimes one or the other...sometimes both and at the same time. I have to try to find humor in some of the most difficult things of life. Often I can see it best in hindsight!
My husband has Huntington's Disease and lives in an adult care home. He sometimes says funny things that kind of surprise people. He doesn't filter his words much anymore. This week I stopped to see him on my way home from work. He was very alert and we laughed about past crazy experiences.
I said, "I really miss laughing with you. We've done that a lot over the years." He scrunched up his mouth to make his "crying" face; I choked up too, thinking of the sadness and loss HD brings.
Then he turned and looked at me and said, "You want to make out?"
We both laughed out loud. And I've been chuckling ever since!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Serenity Prayer
"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference." Richard Niehbur
I continue to realize the power of these words on my mind as I deal with the "system" trying to figure out financial issues, my own health issues, relationship stresses, frustrations with people and institutions. When I don't just "react" I can do this mental gymnatics exercise:
In my mind, there is a mini-flow chart...1) Here's the issue. 2) Can you change this situation? 3) If so, what are the possible ways it could be changed? 4) Talk to God about the possibilities and then wait for any clarity that might come. 5) Choose a course of action. 6) Ask God for courage to do what I must do.
The other side of the flow chart...1) Here's the issue. 2) Can you change this situation? 3) The answer is "no." 4) Talk to God about the peace I need to accept this reality. 5) Let go. 6) Repeat as necessary!
Do I always have such clarity? No, but more than I used to ... perhaps someday.
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference." Richard Niehbur
I continue to realize the power of these words on my mind as I deal with the "system" trying to figure out financial issues, my own health issues, relationship stresses, frustrations with people and institutions. When I don't just "react" I can do this mental gymnatics exercise:
In my mind, there is a mini-flow chart...1) Here's the issue. 2) Can you change this situation? 3) If so, what are the possible ways it could be changed? 4) Talk to God about the possibilities and then wait for any clarity that might come. 5) Choose a course of action. 6) Ask God for courage to do what I must do.
The other side of the flow chart...1) Here's the issue. 2) Can you change this situation? 3) The answer is "no." 4) Talk to God about the peace I need to accept this reality. 5) Let go. 6) Repeat as necessary!
Do I always have such clarity? No, but more than I used to ... perhaps someday.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Need a Laugh?
Having lived overseas for many years, I understand how easy it is to mangle a language. English is one of the most difficult for some people to speak. If you need a good belly laugh today, go to http://www.engrish.com/ and just spend some time chuckling! It will help you feel better.
I like the one about the GRINCH...and the sign that says, "PLEASE SHOUT THE DOOR!"
I like the one about the GRINCH...and the sign that says, "PLEASE SHOUT THE DOOR!"
Saturday, January 1, 2011
a C.S. Lewis quote for 2011
"It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird; it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad."
C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis
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