A few weeks ago I began receiving a daily quote from Goodreads.com. Since the site is about books as you might expect most of the quotes are from authors or about writing. This past Saturday, October 5, the quote was from Michael Palin. The quote itself was not what caught my attention but that the quote was posted on the anniversary of the premier of “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” For those not familiar with the program what is important for now is to know that it was comedy program that was very, very popular in Britain and the USA for many years.
What caught my attention last Saturday was that Friday, October 4 was the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi and the next day was the anniversary of the premier of “Monty Python.”
Does anyone other than me see some humor in that? For me the juxtaposition of St Francis and Monty Python brought a smile and then a laugh.
Which brings me to the importance of humor and fun and seeing the fun around us each day. Please understand I know how hard it can be some days to see the fun around us. On those days we don’t think there is anything going on around us that could be considered fun. But just maybe there is, and it is important to take notice. The creation accounts in Genesis again and again remind us, “… and God saw that it was good.” Well, maybe, “… God saw that it was fun”?
Let’s try something. For the next week, sometime during the day, maybe at the end of day, look back through the past 24 hours and look for the fun, for where you saw humor, for where you saw laughter, for where you saw people having a good time and where you were enjoying something.
This may take some practice. Many of us seem better at seeing discouragement and disappointment. But might it be worth your time to look for the good, the bright, the fun things in the day?
ps – the quote from Palin was, “You can’t get a suit of armour and a rubber chicken just like that. You have to plan ahead.”