We as a human race tend to take ourselves WAY too seriously.
Especially the grown-up faction.
The child who would be quite content to wear pajamas and a cape with cowboy boots to church next Sunday does not seem to have “Make sure people don’t laugh at me” very high on his list of priorities. But for adults, lots of time and effort is spent doing everything possible to not appear foolish or silly. God forbid someone might laugh at us.
As if that would be the worst thing ever.
From being caught with your zipper down to tripping on a mischievous sidewalk crack to having a few sheets of stray toilet paper tag along on the bottom of your shoe, we’ve all had embarrassing or awkward moments. These are life’s ways of reminding us that we’re not all that.
Airport security is among the most uptight, humorless places on Earth. Our friend Eliz recently shared on her blog of a trip through security with a “mooing suitcase:”
[My daughter] chose a very cute cow to accompany me to St. Cloud, Minnesota for the Go Red for Women Luncheon. Very cute, but very noisy! Moo, as Callie named her, moos when she is squeezed — or whenever you go over a bump if she is packed into a wheeled carry-on! On a trip where security was tight, I made quite a few people laugh while waiting in line. Me too.
Next time you travel, take a bit of whimsy with you. It’s hard to be a crabby traveler with a mooing suitcase!
Good perspective. Instead of focusing so intently on the negative ramifications of “making a scene,” I think it would be nice to think about the good that comes from those moments. And being reminded that we’re “not all that” is good for us. It takes the pressure off of trying to be perfect (we aren’t), gives us some perspective, and makes it easier to actually enjoy life. We (and the people around us) need a little levity now and then. Taking yourself less seriously is good for you.
And anytime you can introduce a little laughter into the drudgery that is airport security merits you a gold star in my book.
Why thank you!
I thought of both of you while pulling my mooing suitcase. Certainly something to counteract Adultitis — which is wildly epidemic in business travel!
Ain’t that the truth, Eliz! If I overhear one more self-important conversation someone is having on their little bluetooth earpiece just loud enough so everyone can hear, I think I’ll spontaneously combust…
Thanks for the reminder Jason. I do try “not to embarrass myself,” whenever I go out. Change my shirts if it has stains, comb my hair, don’t stare at anyone.
Much of it has to do with people around me too. I’ve been caught looking at someone’s Spongebob shirt or watching their child make faces, and instead of smiling at me, they scowl as if I’m going to steal their kid.
I used to wear funny watches, t-shirts and even funky underwear to remind myself not to be so serious. I’ve gotten out of the habit lately. I love the mooing suitcase. I need to remind myself as much as everyone else to loosen up more.
It’s really not end of the world to be laughed at. I need to remember that. :0)
Yeah, I don’t think we need to go out of our way to look like a freak show or anything, but we all could stand to be reminded not to take ourselves so seriously all the time, Shirley.