A lesson for today – at least for me. I am guilty certainly of being foolish, feeling more than is good for me (sometimes I see the world only in primary colors, which can give you a migraine after a while), suffering my losses and not acknowledging my wins. There are days when I cry over nothing, my emotional strength sapped and my ability to get out of my way completely ineffective.
Conversely, when I am wrapped in joy – as one would be a really fabulous terry cloth robe – I don’t think about it as something to cherish, to protect or celebrate. I delight in the moment, and do little to protect it from the harsher judgments that may later follow. My friend Lori calls it the little green monster that jumps up and down on her shoulder, whispering the words of self-doubt and harsh judgments that can force us into a box we don’t want to enter. I love her visual – and imagine that mine is more like a hyperactive Captain Hook (parrot included). Regardless – they do the same damage – not just to your shoulder, but to your psyche.
What saves us from ourselves? The delicious reality that we are – all of us – silly, frightened, impulsive sometimes and thoughtful other times, heroic in our hopes and dreams and timid when taking our first steps in a new direction. We break – our exteriors not necessarily reflecting all the cracks that we have re-glued and secured with sufficient emotional scar tissue.
As I have written about protecting the child within us, so too must we tip our hat to the wondrous fool that should not be silenced, or diminished or devalued by our ever-present voice of ‘should have, didn’t, and can’t’. Would we react to our days differently if we cherished the fool with the same reverence with which we listen to our Capt. Hook? If we remembered that both sides of who we are are of equal value and worth?
Waiting for the Karma Truck 
So important. I really struggle with this. I have moments when I carelessly do something – like put the car in reverse without putting in the clutch and killing the transmission of the car or driving two hours in the wrong direction – and my inner voice can be brutal. When, in fact, these moments provide more laughter for me and for friends and family in the long run than any movie ever could! But it can be very hard to embrace all sides of yourself both the competent and the clueless…thanks for the thoughtful post, as always!
It’s true – I think we are hardest on the most wonderful parts of ourselves!
See, it is hard for me to call that the most wonderful part of myself. But maybe I can at least think that part is my fun side and is what maks me unique….:-) An opportunity for growth, for sure!
I totally agree……”it can be very hard to embrace all sides of yourself both the competent and the clueless”.
Great post Mimi! More food for thought
Cheers,
Lee
Thanks Lee…just tryin’ to show my inner fool a little more love. The judgments of the grown up in me can be pretty tough..:-)
Funny how that works huh? I think we should let our inner fools rule! 🙂
I have to admit, mine typically over-rides the other..! 🙂
Enjoy it while you can……because in the next life the other might take over…..and it’s not fun! LOL
OMG – don’t even say that!!! If I can get a do-over for this one so far, I’d be the luckiest person in the world – wounds and hurts and scars and all, I love this ride..
I hear ya! The ride is shorter than we want it to be though so keep your hands up in the air and enjoy it!
Great advice, Lee…hands up now!!
My sister emailed me one of your blogs. I thought that was pretty cool since she doesn’t know I follow you and she does not follow blogs. You must be super famous.
Wow – thanks!! How wild is that – you and I follow each other (and I read you without fail), and your sister would find one of my blogs? That’s really very cool and if your sister is anything like you, I love her already!! But famous? Hardly..:-)
You are on my hero list for this post (well, not just for that, but it moved you up). I love it and the thoughts behind it. And want Lori to stay OUT OF THAT BOX. She’s too wonderful a person to be in there!
Bless you Mim
xo
R
I moved up?? Far out!! This is a red letter day!! Thanks sweetie…seems like this sorta stuff has been on my mind lately. There’s a recurring theme (which also means I have to start thinking some other thoughts…:-))…And Lori won’t stay in a box – “no one puts Baby in the corner”…hugs, m
Awesome. All the way around.
You guys are too much!! I am positively levitating from all the fabulous, positive energy you guys are sending me. THANK YOU! That little green twirp will get no purchase on my shoulder today!! Hugs to you both!!
As it should be…I’m not sure his color looks god on you anyway. A topic for another day…enjoy sweetie..:-)
Oh Mimi, I’m all fool…
Good for you!!!
🙂 In some respects, yes. In others, it is a bit complicated to be so foolish…
Look, you made it through law school – whether or not that was an act of foolishness or not, it was reflective of a very grown up, capable and intelligent side to you which is impossible to deny..
Spoken with the wisdom of a mother. 🙂 I must be that special variety of buckle-down dreamer. We are an odd crew.
I don’t know about odd – but special, absolutely
Thanks, Mimi. You are dear.
Ah…the funny battles we have with ourselves…we are like children we can be naughty or nice. Great article Mimi!
We all have a kid inside us still…:-)
Reblogged this on A Grateful Man and commented:
I believe the fool is MUCH wiser than he or she let’s on! The fool loves even knowing knowing that with it can come heartbreak, and risks even knowing that with it can come failure, and laughs even knowing that there will come sadness and grief. But the tyrant just takes. He sucks the joy and spontanity out of our lives, and keeps us cowering in the cages of our fear, self-doubt, loathing, and false feelings of unworthiness.
Russ
You articulated this so so much more eloquently than I was able to do..In just a few sentences, you defined each to perfection. Thank you SO much!
I believe the fool is MUCH wiser than he or she let’s on! The fool loves even knowing knowing that with it can come heartbreak, and risks even knowing that with it can come failure, and laughs even knowing that there will come sadness and grief. But the tyrant just takes. He sucks the joy and spontanity out of our lives, and keeps us cowering in the cages of our fear, self-doubt, loathing, and false feelings of unworthiness.
I just found your blog, and within a couple of posts, I knew I’d found something special. I’m now following your blog, and just re-blogged this post.
Thank you!
Russ
I just got back to my computer and am going to your site now – I think I’ve found a new friend!
Love this message. 🙂 Let’s celebrate the fool in us -the spirit with no fences.
And I love your phrasing – ‘the spirit with no fences’ – how beautiful!