O
ne of the most remarkable and enjoyable things I have encountered in the last few months is finding a strange unity, an ironic alliance with some who have been my former enemies, even nemeses. We would once stalk each other, looking for vulnerable spots (through scrupulous and merciless logic), usually within ongoing debates that had turned rather ugly. I hadn’t myself indulged in seeking them out in other realms outside of those debates, however they had sometimes taken it upon themselves to do just that. It made me wary, prudent, defensive, and ever-so-careful about what I said and how I said it – expecting them to be lurking nearby, and to pounce upon it, take it out of context and if not merely mock me, might viciously attack, taking me to task.
Firstly, this sounds like it would make one utterly paranoid, and apprehensive of any further expressions whatsoever. However, I soon came to see it as a boon actually, for though I have tried all my days to be “mindful” in how I expressed myself (regardless of how outspoken I was on a matter), it brought me to a new level of conscientiousness. After all, I’m always open to learning more. So, to say what I mean, and to mean what I say, has been even more expanding on, even if I secretly relished the thought of my enemy’s 'impotence' and inability to now take me to task. In this, I felt triumphant – though I know I am not yet done with my journey. And so be it…
Time and truce came to pass. We “dis-engaged”, with or without letting bygones be bygones, still aware of each other’s presence, but coming to an unspoken ‘agreement to disagree’. Perhaps even a mutual respect (though still laced with a bit of the sardonic). And so we went on our merry respective ways. That is, until my own new (and perhaps slightly obsessive) focus came to turn on to Humour. And this is where our paths surprisingly crossed once again – within the completely opposite realm of irreverence. For laughter, to me, is sacred in and of itself – and where few
other things are indeed “sacred”. To my amazement and delight, such former ‘warriors of words’ came to join in, to participate, contribute, and even go so far as to bestow compliments. It’s not that I had invited them to this, my own now hallowed ground, but perhaps that they had found something that they too were in need of, and may not have be aware of before. They may even have been surprised themselves, that I possessed such a thing. And at last, we had found something in common that united us instead of dividing us, as well as happily acknowledging and praising each other’s humour in our own ways.
And one cardinal rule I can now once again observe is, that since nothing is ‘sacred’, I can also (and
do) laugh at myself! And as well, I am indeed grateful to my “enemies” (however… I will
never tell them!).
O
de to Irreverence
I’ve learned to revere irreverence;
For, to me, of all things it makes far more sense
than thoughts and deeds so formulaic,
many of which are quite often archaic
And I admit that deep down secretly
I relish others fears of any hint of anarchy
as it belies their true nature that in not following tradition
they loathe non-acceptance and ensuing perdition
Yet… this does not mean employing mockery
(Though the thought of it can indeed fill one with glee),
ahem, but rather to get others to laugh, on their own behalf
And for the relief of not taking themselves so seriously!
For life is short and we will never know
all that there is, no matter how much we grow
And I find it more wondrous, pleasant, and fulfilling
to engage in laughter, and to always be willing
For “Blessed are those who can at themselves smile,
as they’ll n’er cease to be amused”
Ah…such mirth is worthwhile!
(And as for myself, I am my own humourphile!)
~ Gabrielle/2008
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