.
Children appreciate all that is silly as a matter of course. Their grasp of
humor is instinctual, and even the smallest absurdities provoke joyous gales
of earnest laughter. As we age, this innate ability to see the value of
silliness can diminish. Work takes precedence over play, and we have less
incentive to exercise our imaginative minds by focusing on what is humorous.
When we remember childhood, we may recall the pleasures of donning funny costumes,
reciting nonsense poems, making up strange games, or playing pretend. This
unabashed silliness nourished our vitality and creativity. We can take
in this nourishment once again by giving ourselves permission to lighten up
and be silly.
Too often we reject the wonderful silliness that is an inherent, inborn
aspect of the self because we believe that it serves no purpose or is at odds
with the grown-up culture of maturity. We play yet we do not lose ourselves
in play, and our imaginations are never truly given free rein because we
regard the products of irrational creativity as being valueless. Yet
silliness itself does indeed constitute a vital part of human existence on a
myriad of levels. Our first taste of ethereal bliss is often a consequence of
our willingness to dabble in what we deem outrageous, nonsensical, or absurd.
We delight in ridiculousness not only because laughter is intrinsically
pleasurable, but also because it serves as a reminder that existence itself
is fun. Skipping, doodling, and singing funny songs are no less entertaining
than they were when we were children. We need not lose all interest in these
cheerful and amusing activities, but to make them a part of our lives we must
be ready to sacrifice a little dignity and a lot of fear.
It is precisely because so much of life is inescapably serious that silliness
should be regarded as a priority. Through the magic of imagination, you can
be or become anything -- a photographer, a professional athlete, a dancer, a
pilot. Whether you take hundreds of silly pictures, revel in the adulation of
your fans as you make the winning catch, boogie down rock-star style in front
of your bedroom mirror, or turn your desk into a cockpit, the ensuing
hilarity will help you see that lighthearted fun and adulthood are not at all
incompatible.
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