In the last few months I have shared a few of these ‘thoughts’ based on the protracted experience of my retirement and that of two other colleagues. The latest one was really very funny provided I laugh at myself.
On the occasion of the aforementioned ‘do’ I was at an all-day conference that ended with more than enough time to travel from one place to the other; but I had not factored in the heavy rain that fell and slowed down all the traffic.
I have worked with the person concerned for over thirty years in which time we have become firm friends and often lightened the mood in training sessions we have run together by teasing each other. There was plenty of scope as he was always late for meetings and I am not; he is over 6 feet tall and I am not! Provided teasing is good humoured and directed predominantly at oneself no one is hurt and ‘ice’ is broken.
And so to the recent event. Guess who was late…as the tables turned after thirty years there was much laughter at my expense and yet again the mood was lightened and everyone relaxed.
The wonderful thing about humour at one’s own expense is that it makes a point without anyone being uncomfortable. I should have taken more notice of the weather forecast and left the conference before the final paper. The trouble was that I wanted to hear it and ended up looking silly.
Many years ago someone in a congregation asked me why I belittled myself to make a point and lighten the mood. My reply was that by doing that people have a laugh, get a point and no one else is made to feel uncomfortable.
Jesus taught us to be kind to others. For me, the kindest way of pointing out the things that we all need to change in our lives is to point them out in myself. It is not a method for everyone!
A Prayer
Lord God when Jesus took on himself the sin of all humanity at the cross, he took pain to save others from it. Give us the grace to be ever thankful for that and to be kind in all our dealings with each other. Amen.