Taking Yourself Less Seriously

30 Mar 2008

photo of black girl laughing Photo by:David Shankbone

Angels can fly because they take things lightly – Anonymous

I believe everyone on this earth knows or have met someone who just takes things to serious most of the times – the classic tight-jawed sourpuss who takes everything with deathly seriousness and never laughs at anything. No fun there (stay away from me.)

True some events are clearly sad and not occasions for laughter, but don’t carry an overwhelming sense of sadness or delight. Most fall into the gray zone of ordinary life, and they give us the choice to laugh or not. If all of this sounds similar to you, here are some ways you can use to lighten up or to help someone else lighten up.

View your life in context. While we might think taking the weight of the world on our shoulders is admirable, in the long run it’s unrealistic, unproductive, unhealthy and even egotistical.
Be less serious. Realize that while your ambitions may be noble, being overly serious about them weighs you down and lessens your chances for achieving them. So it wouldn’t hurt to smile once in awhile.
Deal with your stress. Stress is a major impediment to humor and laughter.
Dress less seriously.

Keep a toy on your desk or in your ride.

Laugh at yourself. Share your embarrassing moments. The best way to take ourselves less seriously is talk about times when we took ourselves too seriously.

Hang around children and emulate them. They are the experts on playing, taking life lightly, and laughing.

Cheer up Dominica