Laughing

*Laughing at yourself, and others too*

 Look at the following phrase, and tell someone you know what you think it means. I CAN BE CLUMSY SOMETIMES. To me, it used to refer ONLY, to a self effacing statement, I often make,  when I plan to sit out, back down, or otherwise walk away from an opportunity. I CAN BE CLUMSY sometimes. In order to not be clumsy, and to not have people give me that look that says, “How did you manage to take a perfectly safe activity, and turn it into a heart stopping escapade into clumsyville?” In addition, for some of us, like me, clumsiness is a real source of shame. And everyone knows that it always has to happen when you most need to seem coordinated and together.  Now, it means that I personally CAN be clumsy, and it is not that big a deal because it does not define me.

Now, shame aside, everyone understands that clumsy can happen to anyone. It is possible. But certain people are expected NOT to be clumsy. Like movie stars, or athletes, or anyone you know and think highly of- and this person can even be you. The truth is that even movie stars or TV. actors make mistakes and are clumsy and uncoordinated.  In fact, for movie stars, and the children or loved ones of many aspiring filmmakers, their every clumsy act is caught on film. Sometimes they call it a blooper real. But I have yet to hear of a person who does not watch blooper reels.  Why do we watch them?  I think it’s because 1) Their mistakes are unexpected, and unintended, and 2) It is DELIGHTFUL to be reminded,  of that fact- WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. They can happen any time, and anywhere. And sometimes, the only good to come out of falling on your face is the laughable memory of that time you were not in control, and totally went splat. To err is human, you my mortal friend- are certainly human, and I will remember and thank you for it.   You have the ability to be clumsy, and not have that define you at every moment. How delightful!