Humor and Contradiction

Humor is defined as a comic, absurd, or incongruous quality causing amusement. Quite effectively, it is often used to lighten the burden of painful situations. Be that as it may, why are the greatest comedians some of the saddest people in the world? Why do our eyes fill with tears when we laugh? Why do we ask, “May I ask a silly question?”

Contradictions? Possibly, but isn’t life full of contradictions? Believe it or not, contradictions can be rather therapeutic. To find the humor in your life, don’t shy away from contradictions:

§ Explore the richness of your imperfections
§ Understand that you are misunderstood
§ Be good even when you are bad
§ Find the solution by looking for the problem
§ Celebrate your happiness by never questioning it
§ Label the label before it labels you
§ In order to see, listen
§ In order to hear, stare
§ Cherish the truth, but pardon errors

May you enjoy life...with humor and contradiction.

When There Are Tears

Psalms 126:5 states, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Tears are a universal language. They often tell what words will not express. Sincerely shed, they are not willing water from a handy hydrant to be turned on and off at will, but rather the natural droplets from a heart too full to be contained. Tears are the language of the heart and where there’s a heart, there can be a tear.

Watery eyes have been known to see what clear eyes could not detect. When your plight seems bleak and you can’t see your way through, take another look - through your tears. They may prove to be telescopic.

At the Wheel of Life

We sit at the wheel of our life with one foot on the accelerator, leaving the other for the brake. We need to be awake. We need to be alert. There are many wrecks along the way, thus we travel at our own risk.

The journey demands that we follow directions, observe regulations and drive carefully. Though you have steered well ten thousand times, if you lose control for a moment, you crash.

As Easter comes to an end, reflect and fine-tune your driving skills to avoid foreseeable crashes.

Honoring Your Uniqueness

We are often told it is better to give than to receive, it is best to be humble and it is best to not shine a light on ourselves. True, but it is important to recognize that until we honor ourselves, we will not be able to fully give to another, shine the light on another or truly understand humility.

Honor your uniqueness daily. Celebrate what is working and choose to make adjustments where necessary.

§ Enjoy peace and quiet daily. Once you maintain the habit of being quiet either to contemplate, pray or meditate you will be amazed how much more efficiently or creatively you will perform your tasks, duties and projects.

§ Love and nurture yourself, as you would like to nurture those around you. Once you master caring for yourself, caring for others will become effortless and spring from the heart instead of from duty.

§ Accept compliments from others with grace. Never disrespect the person complimenting you by disregarding or negating the compliment. Be grateful they see something special about you.

§ Spend time investing in and cultivating close friendships. Studies show that a sense of belonging is extremely important for emotional health and well-being.

§ Live a purposeful and cause-oriented life. Recognize and embrace that you are creating your life each and every day. You can choose to let life happen or to create it fully.

§ Love yourself with heart, soul and strength. Be compassionate and understanding while standing firm in the knowledge that you are both unique and capable. When you master this balance, being attached to your outcomes is not an issue because you will be achieving outcomes beyond your own imagination.

Live passionately, today and everyday in your unique way!