Top Reason to Search out Humor

Humor is out there; it’s just not always easy to find. Life gets in the way. Our emotions can get tied up with large and small setbacks. Sometimes, it’s difficult to see beyond the challenges of the moment. 

Yet, if we view life with tunnel vision, we will probably miss out on enriching experiences. For example, a person who refuses to look beyond the trees in the forest pictured above won’t be exposed to the full beauty of the rest of the woodland.

It makes no sense to limit our experience.  That’s why, despite the challenges I’m enduring, I decided to participate in a fun game: Carol Graham of Never…Ever…Give up Hope challenged me to answer eleven questions about myself. In turn, I am supposed to tag four other bloggers. Those writers are supposed to answer the same questions (about themselves) on their blogs and tag four other people…and so forth. It’s time consuming; but, it’s fun. I love a breath of fresh air every so often. Besides, I’m not going to turn down a chance for free promotion!

The four bloggers I’ve chosen to follow in my footsteps (if desired) are Olivia Roach at Olivia’s Catastrophe, Christy Barongan at Normal in Training, Adri Sinclair at My Mind Grind,  and Don J. De Lene at  Don J De Lene. I have been following these wonderful bloggers for some time. Their posts range from humorous to serious. They address a variety of topics. However, the one thing they have in common is empowerment.  

Without further ado, here are the questions:

1. FOUR THINGS PEOPLE CALL ME OTHER THAN MY NAME

Trace, Mom, Dear, Sweetie (The last one is typical in the American South.)

2. FOUR JOBS I’VE HAD  

Substitute Teacher, Office Manager, Bank Teller, Copy Editor

3. FOUR MOVIES I’VE WATCHED MORE THAN ONCE

Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Clue, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, The Hunt for Red October

4. FOUR PLACES I HAVE LIVED

California, Japan, Utah, Oklahoma

5. FOUR PLACES I’VE BEEN

Egypt, Israel, Mexico, France

6. FOUR PLACES I WOULD RATHER BE

In bed watching TV, the mall, the closest park, my kitchen table

7. FOUR THINGS I WILL NOT EAT

Gluten (I’m gluten intolerant.), Brussel sprouts, nuts and seeds (I’m allergic to them.), super spicy foods (They don’t help my acid reflux.)

8. FOUR FAVORITE FOODS

Salad, gluten-free chicken pot pie, gluten-free brownies, potato chips

9. FOUR T.V. SHOWS I WATCH

The Artful Detective, Diagnosis Murder, Joel Osteen, American Ride

10. FOUR THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS YEAR

Stabilizing my chronic medical condition, publishing at least one more book, meeting more people, doing more substitute teaching

11. FOUR THINGS I AM ALWAYS SAVING

Scrap paper, pencils, old text messages, old towels

My Conclusion

We’re all unique, which means we have diverse struggles. The challenge is to look beyond the trials and find joy. The mundane aspect of life can often hide opportunities for humor.

When did you last find joy against the odds?