Copyright © 1999 Ed Ladeur,
Copyright © 1999 Ed Ladeur,
Opinions expressed are not those of my internet provider
but are approved by Mikey and Minnie 2Dogs
Daily life on the web has its ups and downs...and it wears a person out once in awhile. Is the web your primary source of relationships with others? (this is not the real topic here...fooled ya!)
For those of us who have no one left at home, basically single and tired of spending money to have a good time (whatever that is), and are homebodies, the web is our lifeline. The people we talk to, the topics we approach, and the impressions we perceive or transmit are exactly the same over our modems as in real life, and with that comes all the responsibilities we have toward each other, that of respect, disdain, love, dislike, affection, ad infinitum.
The greatest asset anyone can possess is not the ability to communicate perfectly (it does help) but a sense of humor. Without it you will be as dull in the virtual world as you are in real life. We all know these entities, always serious, taking everything personally, and after everything is said there is nothing left. Anyone who can enjoy themselves, give a smile away, or take a grin from someone else will always make new friends, and sometimes life-long relationships, even if it is over a phone line.
Now comes the hard part. Just what is humor and how far can you go?
Ever notice that some 'segments' of our society are humorful (new word I think). ie: the Yiddish who are masters of humor (and guilt). My mother made guilt into an art form, every few weeks she would threaten to stick her head into the oven because her kids did not call...only thing, the oven was electric. (now listen here...it is always ok to pick on your own). And the Irish, great masters of fun (I lived in a home of an Irish family). Angus once stated, "the greatest Irishman I ever knew was my father, he was truly great when he was unconscious". The Aboriginals of America have a great sense of humor, this came from a a good friend of mine, an Indian..."When God created man he told them to, 'be fruitful and multiply, for all you Natives, don't do anything 'til I get back'". So you see it is OK to make fun of yourself or your own "group".
It is my belief that God has a great sense of humor, just look at us. If we are created in His image, enough said. So from my own viewpoint and religion, as a Yid, being human carries with it a 'compulsion' to be light hearted. For myself, (I have arthritis) it is extremely important to stay as active as I can, but my view of excercise is this: "If God wants me to excercise he should have put loose change on the floor".
How far you carry humor is a personal call. With some people, once you get to know them, they will invite some laughs, even at their own expense. (There are many of you at FC, you know who you are.) This is the best and safest type of humor. Personally, I love being joked about. With me it is an honor that people would feel comfortable enough with me. Let's face it, I may be getting old and creaky, but once in awhile I can still get both feet into my mouth, and the furious backpedalling which follows is as funny as the act itself.
If you peruse the discussion boards you quickly find and get to admire those with a sense of humor. You look forward to their posts, and you reply in kind. This is serious nonsense, for without it we are non-entities, forgotten after our demise. Who do you remember from you past, whether dead or alive? Bet it's the person with the sense of humor. Treat the discussion boards for discussion, but also as your therapy, learn to laugh at yourself and with others (not at others). We all know those who are so totally serious, someone in our family, the doctor, the teacher, the preacher. You quickly get to dislike being with them, and it becomes a chore to communicate. Those with chronic disease conditions (most) have learned to laugh at life and at themselves, it is a form of relief, of therapy, an anti-depressant. But there will always be those who are martyrs to their condition, whining and complaining that life sucks, or those who can not see the lighter side of a cause, whether is is a social one or religious one, any cause for that matter. For these martyrs I have one more thing to say (irreverently)...
"please get off the Cross, it's getting too crowded up there, and besides I need the wood, it's going to be a long and cold winter".
So here is a *hug* for all of you and for those martyrs an extra *tickle*...yeah, even you can smile!
Well, don't know if you agree or disagree, or just find this a bunch of bunk, feel free to respond on the new The Eddie-Torial Message/Discussion Board
So until next month, play safe, surf wisely, and help yourself to a cookie
(make sure your dog gets one too).
*smiles*, Eddie
Previous Eddie-Torials
October, 1998
September, 1998
August, 1998
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